single vs dual core processor

[markthien]

Hi guys,

Perhaps this sounds stupid to you but I really have no clue. Situation:

1. if I have a single core processor and I start 2 programs at the same time, the total time it takes for this 2 programs to completely startup is definitely slower than a dual core processor?

2. is it faster to startup a program with a dual core processor than a single core processor?

3. if I have a program that spawn out 100 threads, a dual core processor will finish executing all 100 threads than a single core processor?

Note: assuming that the single and dual core has the same speed like 3Ghz.

Appreciate any advice please. Thanks !

Cheers,
Mark

[Major_A]

1. Depends. Is the single core faster than the dual core?
2. Depends. See # 1.
3. Usually. See # 1.

I'll give you an example. I have several computers up and running around my house. One computer is a 2.1Ghz Phenom X3. The other is a Core2Duo E6750 clocked at 3.75Ghz. Unless I'm running pure synthetic benchmarks the E6750 dual core will run circles around the triple core Phenom.

[markthien]

I'm assuming that the single and dual core has the same speed like 3Ghz.

[Major_A]

In that case...
1. Unlikely, this is more hard drive related than CPU.
2. Probably about the same. Like said before it's more of a hard drive scenario.
3. Yes.

*EDIT*
Here's a quick example of 1 core versus multiple (3 in this case).