Figuring out my computer's specs?

The P4 listing as minimum standards indicates what you need on a SINGLE CORE computer.

Let's put it this way... When Oblivion was released, it was listed as needing a 4.0 Ghz single core CPU. The dual core requirements are considerably less (about 1.8 Ghz or so).

The reason the requirements are lower for multi core CPUs is simple. With a single core CPU, you have everything running on one core. Think about it this way...tie your left hand behind your back and try to play a "twitch" game. You can do so, but it's harder than it needs to be. Now, once you untie your left hand, play the same game... Much easier, eh? In short, in order to be able to run everything properly, you need more speed. Using a dual core, you can have the OS running on one core, and the game running on the second. This means that the game requires less resources from the core.

Incidentally... whenever you hear someone saying that your quad is actually running at 9.6Ghz...tune them out, and ignore everything they tell you. It likely will be as inane.

Incidentally...the tech specs are *preliminary*. When released, the specs could be lower, or even higher!

For the record - for the dual/duel confusion...:

Dual: Two similar items.

Duel: A fight involving seconds, formal challenges, and either swords or pistols. (Also illegal in most countries.)

Good Luck!

EDIT: By the way...consider seriously investing in a good video card (nVidia 8800 or ATi HD3870 or HD4xxx). If your chipset is nVidia, you're more or less stuck with nVidia - they don't play well with others. If it is ATi, ATi will be best, but you *can* use a nVidia card...the problems are (compared to ATi on nVidia) almost non-existant. If the chipset is Intel, ATi would be best, but nVidia works almost as well. If the chipet is generic, you can use anything with impunity. ... Please note that the nVidia 9xxx and 2xx cards are simply rebranded and tweaked earlier chipsets, and the tweaking introduced errors and "ïssues."

A CPU doesn't have as much effect on gaming as your graphic card does.You have a quad core cpu,the requirementss are based off a single core 2.4 ghz..over 4-5 years old. Since a lot more games take advantage of multi core..your CPU should be just fine. PLus I wouldnt worry about Sims games because they want as much players to be able to play..GTA4 pc or Crysis is a whole different story where u need newer hardware to play. Go to www.yougamers.com..it will tell you if you can play any game by scanning ur system.

To clairifly on the comment above...Don't worry theres a big difference between a P4 and a Core 2..about 4-5 years. Intel quad.technically speaking, its a Duel Pipeline Quad Core..not true quade like AMD. though it doesnt make a difference in speed since theres other area intel specs up. In Raw Preformance it's alot faster than what Sims 3 is asking for. THis is the Sims not Crysis..it doesnt matter if the game hasnt came out yet or not..This game is intended to be played on a wide range of machines..it wouldnt a popular game other wise. I have a Duel Core 3.2 ghz but a 2.6 ghz Quad beats mine in Raw preformance. Sure the programing needs to be there but it isnt 2006 anymore...its almost 2009 and Multi-core programing is becoming a standard now..next step is making your GPU do EVERYTHING!!!!!!

P.S

a 3.2 GHZ P4 is compared to a 2.1 ghz AMD singcore...so your processor can't be compared to it because its light years ahead...4 years in Computers terms is a lot!!! It almost be safe to say that your processor would be 4X faster. Different Architechal using smaller but faster technology.uses less power but has more power..move on to your graphics card.

Your computer will be able to run Sims 3. They are asking for a min of 2.4 single core. Your quad will be able to run as is also stats that if you are using integrated graphics, you should have a duel at 1.8ghz.

Intel once stated that using a dual core was like using two CPU to get twice the speed, but that is not true. It never worked out the way they wished. Dual an quad just divide up the work so that it is easier for the computer to work. Most newer games coming out today are just taking advantage of this feature. I remember a year ago there were a handfull of games that could take advantage of dual core.

The only thing that you now need to worry about is if you have a proper graphic card. There are many that are supported but it needs to have at least 128 on board and 2.0 pixel shader.

I think the other answer is a bit out of line. You are just barely (as on the razors edge) meeting the requirement for the game. Only the game programmers know IF the game can use more than one core at a time. Just because you have a quad core processor does not mean that the game is designed to use more than a single core...there is probably a chance it uses two cores and those two cores task each other, while two cores remain idle. But the minimum frequency for each core is still 2.4 Ghz and that means that neither core is running any faster than the other, no matter which one or how many of them. Any gain in performance is due to task switching.

Task switching is one processor is busy, some of the operating tasks are switched to the other (or one of) the other cores. This is more like an overflow mechanism that keeps the one main core from being overwhelmed. Four cores does NOT make your computer faster, it just keeps the one main core from being overwhelmed. Only the game programmers know for sure if the game is designed to take full advantage of the other cores or how it does so.

I hope this clears things up bit for you.

It should run fine. You are exceeding the requirements significantly. You have 4 2.40GHz cores, and a 2.4GHz Core 2 is way superior than a 2.4 P4. A 2.4GHz Core 2 is equivalent to a 3GHz Pentium 4 thanks to more cache and superior core architecture, which allows it to perform more work per clock. You also have 4 cores, which will help a lot.

Your CPU surpasses the requirements with blazing colors !!!

Yes, each core runs at 2.4Ghz ....you have qty 4 processors each running at 2.4Ghz.

regards,

Philip T