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    CPU clock speed Question

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by mike_T, Jan 30, 2009.

  1. mike_T

    mike_T Newbie

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    Hi
    This might sound like a stupid question:

    I have a Intel Core 2 Duo processor in my Laptop. The speed is rated at 2.2gig speed. Now... does this mean that both the 2 processors are running at 2.2 gig each .... giving me a combined processing power of 4.4gig ... or does it not work like that at all.
    I guess another way to rephrase the Q would be to ask, what would the equivalent speed [processing power] be if it were a single core processor. Like the Pentium 4 for instance... they used to be 3 gigs or more... suddenly we back down to 2.2 etc..... but much faster.
    Hope my Question makes sense.

    Thanks Mike_T
     
    mike_T, Jan 30, 2009
    #1
  2. d10230

    d10230 Notebook Consultant

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    Not sure but i'm very sure it doesn't work like that.
     
    d10230, Jan 30, 2009
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  3. Baka

    Baka (・ω・)

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    2.2GHz is 2.2GHz but the workload may be split or shared in between the two cores so that it processes much faster o.o

    Some programs don't really support multi cores so the higher clockspeed of a single core may be faster than a duo core with lower clockspeed... I think o_O Correct me if I'm wrong here
     
    Baka, Jan 30, 2009
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  4. whizzo

    whizzo Notebook Prophet

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    well... yes, you do have two cores rated at 2.2Ghz each, but they processing power is not 2x2.2Ghz=4.4Ghz. due to various things such as heat and threading delays, the factor by which the processing power gets multiplied is more like 1.3x-1.6x. so a rough estimate of your true processing power would be maybe 1.5x2.2Ghz=3.3Ghz.

    on a side note, a single C2D core rated at 2Ghz will run faster/better than a (single) Pentium4 core rated at 2Ghz because the C2D is more efficient and has better coding etc.
     
    whizzo, Jan 30, 2009
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  5. kuncheesh

    kuncheesh Notebook Evangelist

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    Ok heres an analogy to ur question. suppose u have 2 horses each having a max speed of 25mph, and u tie both of them to the same cart. will it be able to go at 50 mph???. But it better than using one horse as it can carry more load because two horses work together and share the load.

    It is the same with the processor. The Inner clock frequency is the speed of the processor. They cant be just algebraically added when u give two processors. however the two processors will do parallel processing and share the load.
     
    kuncheesh, Jan 30, 2009
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  6. Michel.K

    Michel.K 167WAISIQ

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    That's a very good comparision, with the horses! And yes, it's like that.
     
    Michel.K, Jan 30, 2009
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  7. mike_T

    mike_T Newbie

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    Thanks guys.... :)
    That was of great help. I kinda figured that, but wasnt too sure about it.

    Cheers Mike_T
     
    mike_T, Jan 30, 2009
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  8. boypogi

    boypogi Man Beast

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    any dual core cpu will crush the fastest pentium 4 :D
     
    boypogi, Jan 30, 2009
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  9. Jlbrightbill

    Jlbrightbill Notebook Deity

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    My 2.2 GHz T7500 was faster than benchmarks of the 3.6 Ghz Pentium 4 HT.
     
    Jlbrightbill, Jan 30, 2009
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