Question: Flightsims & Dual Core CPU's

Moores Law=You double the speed of the chips every 18 months.

Fine until now, we have reached the point where the chips are so fast and HOT that we can't make faster ones and keep them cool.
The duel core chip is now the chip of the future, it's faster without the excessive heat, it does get hot but is controllable with fans, soon with water cooled systems when they become fool-proof.

They will still get faster but it will be a different chip (duel core).

If I'm wrong please correct and enlighten me.

Wait a while, I'm getting a dual-core processor, I'll tell you how it goes. 350 bucks more, that's like 2.5 paychecks for me 😳

Plus24 wrote:

I read somewhere that FS 2004 makes extensive use of Intel's hyperthreading technology. Since hyperthreading, Dual Core has come on the scene. What benefits, if any do flightsims (especially MS Flight Simulator, present version or future) gain from this new dual core technology? Or is it only helpful if you are multi-tasking?

Thanks for sharing your knowledge with newbies on the board like me.

Plus24

It is basically like having two chips in one. Most software does not take advantage of dual core chips at the moment. Dual core chips are great for multitasking but they don't improve gameplay much. Programmers basically have to tell the program that it can send task A to core X and task B to core Y. If this is not in the code, the software will send everything to core X and core Y will be left to run other software that you may be running in the background. Hey, you could burn a DVD while flying your favorite 747!!

I'm sure (maybe) that Microsoft will make FS 2004 utilize the power of dual core chips.

The next generation of games will be able to take full advantage of the dual core processer. In one magazine I read they had tested the new processer and found a slight fps on Doom 3 about 1-3 FPS more. FSX should be able to take full advantage of the Dual Core Processor when it FINALLY arrives on the self

is the dual core same as hyper-threaded? My CPUs are all hyperthreaded, but I dont think they are the cutting edge chips

nottobe wrote:

is the dual core same as hyper-threaded? My CPUs are all hyperthreaded, but I dont think they are the cutting edge chips

Completely different. Read on.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual_core

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperthread

Thanks for all the replies and info on Dual Core. Since the cost of my new computer plans keeps going up, I think I may pass on dual core and wait for a couple years for an upgrade if it turns out to be a hot item for gaming.

Plus24