Hello, I've notices a claim by sellers on ebay and some techies that a DUEL core processor is twice as fast (powerful?0 as a single core processor of the same GHz value. An example is I saw one claim that a 1 GHz duel core Pent processor had the same speed and power as a 2 GIG single core processor. Another example was of a duel core 1.67 gig stated to be as fast as a single core 3 gig processor. Can you tell me if they are right? I'm looking closely at processor speeds and trying to understand them in the different mfr, types, because I need a minimum processor speed of 2 gig. to run a simulator game. Please forgive me if I posted this question in the wrong place. I'm just a beginner. Thank you for you knowledgeable replies.

It can be a bit confusing. But let me tell you this 1st, do NOT believe what you read on eBay, in fact, you shouldn't even be buying a CPU from eBay! Why take the risk when there are so many reputable online vendors such as Newegg.com? It would help to know if you're looking at Intel or AMD CPUs but before you can even consider a dual core, you have to make sure your motherboard supports them. If you don't know, post the make/model of your board & someone will dig up the CPU support list. Anyhow, you have to understand that with a dual-core CPU, you do NOT combine the two core speeds to arrive at a final CPU speed. In other words, a dual-core 2.0GHz CPU is NOT 1.0GHz + 1.0GHz, it's 2.0GHz + 2.0GHz. Depending on the programs being run, there may be little or no performance difference between a 2.0GHz single core & 2.0GHz dual-core...that's because many times, only one core is being used. However, if you're multi-tasking or running programs that are optimized for dual-core, the dual-core CPU will obviously perfom better. There's little reason to go with a single core CPU these days unless you're on an extreme budget or your board doesn't support dual-core. "If my answers frighten you then you should cease asking scary questions" - Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson) in Pulp Fiction

Thank you for your reply. I now understand this much better. Best Regards, Danny