Processor: Dual Vs. Quad
As of late 2010, modern processors are almost exclusively dual or quad core. Single-core computing is becoming a thing of the past. Still, whether the push for a quad-core processor is worth the extra money will depend on what types of software are used on a computer.
Other People Are Reading
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Significance
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It may seem to some observers that four processors are better than two. But this isn't quite the case due to how computer software reacts to multiple cores.
Function
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Because multiple processors function on the concept of multi-threading, which is the ability to share the same data even as it's being processed, software needs to be designed to take advantage of this. As processors with more cores are introduced, it becomes a problem for computer programmers designing software.
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Quad Core Applications
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Where quad-core processors do shine is in rendering or encoding programs. So a quad-core processor may benefit anyone looking to edit video or audio files or render 3D images, where a lot of stress is placed on the processor inside an individual computer program.
Expert Insight
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According to Jeff Atwood at Coding Horror, as of 2007 quad-core computers provided "diminishing returns" for most computer applications. And as of 2010, a dual-core processor with faster cores may be better than one with four cores. Servers, on the other hand, can benefit more readily from multiple cores.
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