Buying a computer that will stay current with modern technology and suit your needs is a daunting undertaking. You need a computer that will perform your computing tasks at a fast enough speed, while giving you the longest technological lifespan possible.
With all the talk about quad core vs dual core processing, it is good to know what you are getting into when looking towards your next computer purchase in terms of speed, computing power, and technological lifespan. For the normal computer user, there may not be much of a difference between the two (other than budget considerations and staying up to date on technology longer).
Are quad core computers faster?
In normal computing activities, when it comes to quad core vs dual core computing, quad core computers generally are not any faster than the dual core computer. This is because normal computer applications do not usually require that many resources to run.
Quad core computers are faster and do perform better however, when it comes to multitasking and high end operations such as graphic design work, video editing, scientific and mathematical computations, and resource intensive applications such as 3D video games for the personal computer. They are also used in CAD and engineering applications that require a great deal of processing resources.
How quad core and dual computers work
Quad core computers are designed with four core processors for the processing chip that allows high-end intensive computing tasks to be distributed evenly and allow for greater speeds, and smoother performance. One example is with 3D video games made specifically for personal computers. They require processing resources for recovery and algorithms, and graphic rendering and sound. In quad core vs dual core, a dual core only has two core processors.
Two of the resources would go to one core and two would go to the other. In quad core processing, each of the four resources required for running the game would be distributed between the four cores, thus giving faster performance and better graphic rendering.
Making the choice and more to consider
Quad core computers are low power so they are energy efficient and produce less heat, which is better for the components of your computer and will contribute to the lifespan of it. They are also more expensive so if you have normal computing needs and a tight budget, a dual core processor with more GHz and a higher L2 cache would be a better option, as while you are doing normal computing the resources required are so small there is no noticeable difference between the two processor chips.
Dual cores are still a recent technology and will be produced for a few years to come. However, if it is within your budget you may want to consider buying quad core as it is the newest and latest technology and will not require an upgrade as soon as a dual core might. If someone in your family is a serious gamer, quad core is also obviously the better solution for the household, as you will have better performance and speed.