Dual Core vs Quad Core: Choosing the right CPU for your PC

Now that you are concerned about the processors, I am expecting a gadget purchase round the corner. Regardless of the device you choose to invest in, it is impossible to look beyond the processing setup, led by the SoC.

Without wasting any more time, I would directly start talking about the differences and possibilities pertaining to dual-core and quad-core processors, thereby helping you understand the mid-range laptop sector better.

But then, the primary challenge is to zero in on the best processor for the job, depending on your processing requirements. Also, the concept of processing cores has been around for a long time, despite most individuals finding it hard to wrap their heads around the same.

Be it a smartphone or a standard laptop, you cannot negate the importance of a CPU, which actually shoulders the entire workload in cohesion with the RAM. While top-shelf and high-end gadgets house Hexa-core and octa-core processors, dual-core and quad-core units are often overlooked.

And while there are a lot of components to research, the processor or the CPU of your computer definitely plays a major role in the same.

What are Multi-Core Processors?

Before taking a look at the differences between a dual-core processor and a quad-core processor, you should know more about multi-core processors in general.

In the earlier days of computers, processors would only have a single core which meant they acted as a single CPU chip. But with time as computers got used to heavier applications and multitasking, the same had to change. And hence, processors started coming with multiple cores.

With any processor that offers a number of cores, you can expect better performance in most cases. This is due to the reason that each core of your processor acts as a processor on its own.

Because of this, multi-core CPUs offer better performance than single-core ones. 

Dual Core Processors

This is due to the reason that it has two different computing units that can function simultaneously for handling multiple tasks at the same time.

Generally, dual-core processors have limited heat output which is better for proper cooling. When taking a look at both dual-core and quad-core CPUs, you will find many low-priced options while going with 2 cores.

Quad Core Processors

If you do not have budget restrictions and want even better multitasking performance from your computer, then you can go with a quad-core processor which has twice the cores of a dual-core one.

Just as you would guess, these processors have a total of 4 cores which makes them ideal for intensive tasks on your computer.

While quad-core processors are surely quite powerful, they offer much higher heat output than dual-core processors which can be an issue for cooling a laptop properly. But these higher-end processors also come at a higher price which is to be expected.

Dual-core vs Quad-core processor: What does the Research Say?

Before you take a call and purchase a laptop with dual-core or quad-core architecture, it is necessary to understand that most modern-day applications are optimized to use a maximum of four cores at once.

Therefore, unless you are multitasking incessantly, you need not opt for anything more than four cores. Also, research says that often a 10^th gen dual-core processor fares better than a 6^th gen quad-core processor, as the single-core efficiency pertaining to the former is higher for basic, single-threaded tasks.

However, I went one step ahead and compared the two processing architectures, based on other parameters, including:

1. Power Consumption

Higher the number of cores, higher is the power consumption, period! However, a quad-core processor has twice as many cores as dual-core units; the power consumption is pretty nominal and doesn’t put excessive load on the system.

Even when all the cores are not in use, the CPU keeps supplying power to the units.

2. Heat generation

Unless you put the multi-core processors to actual use, you wouldn’t notice a lot of difference in heat levels. Processor-intensive tasks like website browsing, editing, video streaming, and more can readily heat up a laptop and this is when you would notice that dual-core processors are better bets.

3. Battery Life

While there is no hard and fast rule as to how the core count determines the battery backup, dual-core processors are better options to invest in, as per extensive tests. Also, if you still need to go with laptops with quad-core processors, I would recommend a U-series or even a G-series chip, for better backup.

4. Speeds

Computers with additional cores can be termed fast only if the concerned applications play along. However, for music production and gaming, quad-core processors are better choices as they lend additional clock speed to every task there is. Programs that rely on single threads should not expect the same speed-based support unless you want to run them simultaneously.

5. Price

From a generic perspective, laptops with quad-core processors are priced higher than the dual-core processor options. However, if you dig deep, you will notice that the price point also depends on the generation, type, single-core speed, turbo boost speed, and even the overall performance of the machine.

In case you are assembling a computer, a higher clock speed attracts a higher fee as compared to a processor with many cores.

6. Brand

When it comes to selecting a multi-core processor according to brands, both quad-core and dual-core SoCs are available with AMD and Intel branding.

While AMD offers the resilient X2 as the dual-core unit, I would still recommend AMD R3 as a better bet for managing multiple programs at once.

However, an Intel Core processor fares better in laptops when it comes to working with multiple resources and handling demanding software solutions. The main difference between the two processor brands is the ability to perform, as per the required services. 

How does a Core Function?

Every mobile processor is made of cores, which basically manage every task in parallel. As a digital device, a computer needs to run instructions by the threads. This means, a chipset takes in the data streams, comprising 0s and 1s, and processes them depending on the capabilities.

Therefore, if the processor has additional cores at its disposal, it becomes possible to manage multiple tasks and instructions at once, but not necessarily faster. Also, the type of application your device is running determines the usage of the mentioned cores.

In certain cases, an app-only uses a single core at a time and isn’t even impacted by the additional cores. However, for managing gaming-intensive processes,internet browsing, videos, photo editing, and other programs at once, several cores are necessary as the computer would then need to process several tasks at once for reaping the additional benefit of speed.

In most cases, a CPU has a minimum of one core, which can go up to 8, 10, or even more. Needless to say, each core, associated with a CPU, works as an independent central processing unit.

Why do multiple cores not always translate to higher speeds?

Most of you might start relating an additional number of cores to higher speeds. However, this benefit stands only if the application, supposedly a gaming program or an editing app, is capable of splitting the instructions between cores.

This is where the single-core efficiency or speed becomes more important than the number of cores itself.

Core Count vs Clock Speed

Before taking a look at the differences between a dual core and a quad core CPU chip, let’s first take a deeper look at the specifications of CPUs in general.

While going with multi-core models, you should also check their clock speeds. This is due to the reason that apart from having a number of cores, the performance of your processor also depends on its clock speed. The clock speed of your computer tells you about the number of instructions your processor can handle each second.

With both AMD as well as Intel Core processors, this clock speed is given as GHz.

Core Count and Ideal Applications

After checking all these details regarding the clock speeds and cores offered by computer processors, you might want to know more about their real-life usage experience. This includes all kinds of tasks ranging from browsing the internet, watching videos, gaming, or running multiple software on your PC simultaneously.

Thus, to get an idea of the real processing power offered by your dual core or quad core chip, considering checking the following applications and the difference between using either of them:

1. Basic Computing Tasks

Starting with basic computing tasks, these are done on all kinds of laptops as well as desktops. It includes running software like browsing a website of your choice, playing a video, handling your daily office tasks, and other tasks which may require basic processing power. For such uses, both dual core processor and quad core processor models are more than enough for most users.

However, if you are going with a laptop, then you should pick a dual-core processor over a quad-core processor. This is due to the reason that you will get a much better battery life with a processor that only has 2 cores. And any laptop that has just 2 cores will also be easier to cool because of the lower heat output.

2. Image Editing

Coming to image editing software that you may run on your PC, it includes things like Photoshop, CorelDraw, GIMP, and a few others. With such programs, you can easily create all kinds of images and manipulate existing ones.

Talking about the power difference offered by different numbers of cores for image editing, a quad-core chip will certainly offer a benefit over a dual-core model in terms of its processing times. Although, if you are new to image editing, a dual-core chip can still do any kind of image editing task fairly easily.

3. Video Editing

Talking about video editing, it is a much more intensive task that requires a processor that can perform accordingly. Hence, in this case, you should pick a quad-core over a dual-core since it can easily support all kinds of effects, plugins, and other things you might want to include in your videos. You will also notice a huge difference in the export time taken by such software while going with a quad-core model.

Also read: 10 Best Laptops for video editing

4. Animation

Those of you who are into animation software and other professional services should always go with quad core chips. You will feel free to quickly and easily animate all kinds of characters without running into performance limitations. On the other hand, dual core chips may even cause stuttering and lag issues.

5. 3D Modeling

3D modeling is another process which is quite intensive and similar to animation. And to properly support all your 3D modeling services and plugins, going with a quad core 

6. Music Production

Unlike other applications stated above, music production is a task which can be handled fairly easily. Thus, you can go with either a dual core or a quad core as per your budget. Although, a quad core will certainly offer the benefit of lower export times which can be handy for many.

7. Programming

Whether you want to make a website or a software via programming on your PC, it is quite important that your PC is powerful enough for the same. And hence, a 4 core chip makes for a great pick for those who are in the search for the right processor made for programming.

Also read: Best laptops for computer science programming

8. Gaming

Other than browsing the internet for opening a website, doing your daily office functions, and other, dual-core models are also great for gaming. They generally offer high boost clock speeds resulting in a great gaming experience. And because dual-core models are also cheaper, you can put more towards a powerful graphics card.

Dual-Core Processors: Pros and Cons

For those who are interested in purchasing and assembling computers with a dual-core processor, here are the hits and misses to look at:

Quad-Core Processors: Pros and Cons

Needless to say, a quad-core processor like the Intel Core i5-9300H are extremely common resources. However, before you end up investing in machines with four cores, here are some of the aspects to look at:

Which is Better? Dual Core Processors or Quad Core Processors?

Based on all the different factors related to dual core and quad core processor models, you might want to pick the right one for your PC. For intensive tasks, a quad core one will most likely offer twice the power of a dual core one. And while a quad core is surely great for heavy duty tasks, a dual core processor also has its benefits.

The persisting tussle between dual-core and quad-core processors is strictly discretionary. However, before you purchase a relevant laptop with either of the mentioned chipsets, it is important to take the type of tasks into account, including the number of web browser tabs to be opened, software solution to be installed,  or the video quality that needs to be played. 

I would still advise you to read through this discussion and even refer to relevant free account sources and website selections for learning about the most efficient dual and quad-core processors in the market. Once you are aware of the high-end options that actually perform, it becomes easier to take a call.