Shoutbox

Dual Core processors allows your computer to handle two threads at once instead of one. A thread is a stream of data from a program; programs may have just one thread or several, depending on the application.

The advantage of a dual core for the average user is added multi-tasking capabilities. For example, since buying my dual core processor, I can leave everything open whilst running a game; this is because one core is handling the game whilst the other is handling anything else that happens.

Some applications now support multi-threading, which means they can send more than one thread of data at once to the processor; with programs like this you will notice a difference with a dual-core since more will be done at once. Most applications however do not have multi-core support and will therefore only send one thread at once; meaning that one will not notice a performance difference with this program. However it will probably run faster because whilst one core is handling the thread from that application, the other core will handle anything else running, therefore spreading the load of information to be processed.

In conclusion, it'll be quicker for you if:

• The applications you're using support multi-threading
  
• You are running lots of stuff (such as WLM and some web-pages) at the same time as your demanding applications (like your video converter or your 3d renderer).

I hope this will be helpful to you, this is possibly my longest post ^_^
Happy 1800 Posts btw =]