[Miscguy]

[quote=Poseidon]

Originally Posted by "Airborne Butters":acc5f

So yeah I'm going to be building a computer soon, or my friend is actually. What kind of specs would you recommend for high end gaming? I want to be able to run alot of the new upcoming games, plus BF2,BF2142,HL2,Fear,etc... with smoothness. I'm ready to drop like 1,000 bucks on it, but I don't want to over spend. Oh and keep in mind a flashy case isn't that big a deal, and sound cards don't need to be super top line , seeing as I use headphones.

Also, seeing as I haven't really built a computer, what and how exactly does dual processors work?

a processor can only do 1 thing at any one time (process one thing at once) having two allows 2 things to be processed at the same time. Therefore drematically increasing performance.[/quote:acc5f]

Hyperthreading did the same basic thing but split the processors speed between the two task. Dual core chips have two (or now core 2 duo "4") CPU's effectivly doubling/quadrupling there processing ability, (note: not speed). Its not a SLI setup for your CPU. It simple lets you run multiple "Threads".

Threads for all intents and purposes are individual task. Such as say running Winrar on a file, and having Photoshop running. Both require a thread, some programs require many. Normally the CPU puts each thread in a que, running them based user priority. Multiple CPUs means differant program threads can use differant cores, thus speeding up response time. Since when you switch between programs the computer no longer has to swtich priority.


Theres the basics... pretty damn basic really... but here. [url:acc5f]http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2846[/url:acc5f]