whats the main diff? will a 1.66 core duo = a 3.32 P4?

i don't think it works quite like that

i was confused about it when i was looking for a new computer.
but a duo seems to perform considerably faster than an equivalent clock speed p4

google it and you'll find some useful benchmarks

The problem is physics. The wavelength of a 4GHz signal is .75cm (A little over 1/4 inch). Think of how big the silicon chip is inside the processor. If you push the clock frequency higher and higher, the edges of the silicon differ in timing from the center of the silicon. That's why the clock frequency has levelled off over the past few years and you're seeing dual-core and quad-core 2GHz processors rather than 8GHz single-core processors.

From personal experience, I'd rather have my old PowerPC chip rather than this 2GHz intel core duo. This runs hot, is rather slow (Some of it is lack of RAM, but the processor is also at fault). Heat = wasted battery life. This computer (2GHz dualcore, 512MB RAM) is about half as responsive as my iBook (933MHz G3, 640MB RAM) was.

I can't wait to see the Playstation 3's... they got like 12 cell processors in 'em. Also, end of the year IBM's gag on consumer advertising goes away. IBM is granted more patents per year than any other US company, with over 40,000 patents worldwide since they started. They come up with some insane stuff, and it'll be really nice to have the consumer sector driving a little more innovation on their side.

2007 has some interesting technology on the horizon as far as processors are concerned.

so whats the answer for someone who wants to buy a new computer now for pc gaming? what processor should they go with?

64-bit AMD, good video card, and *lots* of RAM.

I have the Centrino Core Duo in my Toshiba lappy. Beats the hell out of the P4 2.8 I had before, with a lot better battery life.

I have the Centrino Core Duo in my Toshiba lappy. Beats the hell out of the P4 2.8 I had before, with a lot better battery life.

i bought the same thing. works pretty well.

Give me a dual proccesor G5 anyday.

i don't think it works quite like that

i was confused about it when i was looking for a new computer.
but a duo seems to perform considerably faster than an equivalent clock speed p4

google it and you'll find some useful benchmarks

Actually it does

i can get about 6 hours of use out of the battery that came with it. not sure what to compare that to.