Dual Vs. Quad Core Processor

Dual and quad core processors

Both dual core and quad core processors are popular among enthusiasts and can provide serious performance in a wide variety of applications, but which type of processor is best for you depends on how you use your computer.

General Use Applications

Quad core and dual core processors are roughly equal when running applications like Word and Internet Explorer. These programs simply don't use enough processor power to require the extra cores.

Games

Games can benefit greatly from a quad core processor, but not all developers program for them. Most older games are optimized for dual core processors, but some newer games do take advantage of the performance a quad core can offer.

3D Rendering and Video Editing

There is a major performance gap between dual core and quad core processors when it comes to complex tasks like video editing and 3D rendering. Quad cores can be between twenty and fifty percent faster when running these types of applications.

Overclocking

Dual core processors are better for overclocking. The higher number of cores on a quad core usually results in greater heat generation which makes overclocking more difficult.

Energy Consumption

Quad core processors usually consume more power than dual cores. There are some exceptions, however, such as the Intel Core i5 and Core i7 quad cores, which are more energy efficient than Core 2 Duo or AMD Athlon X2 dual core processors.

References

• Tom's Hardware: Dual Core Versus Quad Core
• The Tech Report: Core i3 Takes On Athlon II (And Everything Else)