yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[General Topics] vbetts:
I won't lie, right now dual core is overkill. But in time like everything else has computer wise, it will be the normal and will be the way all devices go, that's not just considering dual core. I'm talking pure multicore threading. It's not just the number of cores you're buying as well, it's the difference core to core when you compare say arm cortex a8 to the Tegra II's Arm Cortex a9, single core the a9 will be faster and more efficient and also produce less heat thanks to the die shrink, which then also means less power draw per core. Right now for phones, dual core is futureproofing a bit for when we do have android that is fully multithreaded, and apps that are as well.

There's also something you need to remember, XDA isn't really a big fraction of people using android devices and what not, but not every android user is on XDA. I also disagree with everyone maxing out their hardware, just running my Evo with a few of the aosp live wallpapers my evo runs terrible, and web browsing isn't the greatest either depending on the website.
[General Topics] dreadlord369:
Oh dude you should so post this one overclock.net, the beat down you would get would be hilarious. But anyway back one topic, as for phones, well for some people dual core is nice, for example me and my friends, when we head off to lecture, all we can do is browse the web on our phones, all of us, for some odd reason like to have at least 6-8 tabs open at the same time and for the phones we have (I have an iphone 3gs, theres a couple captivates, Droid Inc 2, and some others), they sometimes tend to slow down with all of the tabs open. Also when you open up numerous applications, you have to sometimes close out of some of them because the one that is open starts to slow down. Thats a couple reasons that dual core is nice, with massive multitasking. But with the computer part, where you say that no one needs a quad core processor, well think about it, there are a lot of people who want performance (not just XDA, theres overclock.net, techpowerup, EVGA, HardOCP, etc) and just random people who want fast computers for reasons such as video processing, gaming (this is probably a big reason), ridiculous multitasking (I fall into this category cause I have over 125 tabs open in chrome right now and I actually needed to upgrade to 8 gb's of ram because it was saying I was running out of ram with only 4), and some people that want just plain snappiness from their computer. So I would not say that a quad core processor is overkill for most people as the demographic I mentioned above does include a decent amount of people.

Oh and I forgot to mention watching Hi def videos, your average intel integrated graphics card cannot play a 1080p video without issues so thats why you might need a faster processor and a faster GPU to play those videos in an HTPC.

But yes for your average everyday joe, a simple nehalem based dual core would suffice for everyday tasks such as web browsing and such but it cannot do much else.
[General Topics] kllrnohj:
Which is why netbooks took off for a while there (until people realized those were a bit too slow)

I completely disagree. The difference between dual and single core for mobile devices is *huge*. There is a *huge* difference between everything running "fine" and everything running "great". The biggest difference is for games and web browser, which most people absolutely care about. There is also the wide range of more powerful apps it enables, which for now is more important on the tablet, but that will come to phones as well.
[General Topics] ld006:
Dual core is not overkill, for one, its future proofing your phone, most ppl buy the phones on contract and in a couple of months dual cores will be the standard for high end smartphones, second, it allows for better GPU performance which leads to better games and overall experience, there are many benefits to it, too many for me to list...
[General Topics] lude219:
Yea, it's better if you don't, because I dont think you have any substantial knowledge on the matter to go against the research and knowledge of all the computer engineers out there. The reason why it's not octo-cores yet is because it's called a BUSINESS. But I wont waste the calories in telling you why that is until you go and read up on "economy of scales." ;)
[General Topics] Korstovor:
It'll be interesting at least to see what develops. See if they'll start doing proper separate GPU Die's or if they'll dedicate GPU cores on the proc (i.e quad core chip with 2 CPU cores and 2 GPU cores).

Hope people don't start to get burnt when they begin maxing out/overclocking their cores.
[General Topics] oka1:
Funny, if you stop developing you get nothing because you are satisfied with nothing.

Us at XDA are techies and you give us more core more ram more battery we will figure what to create with the new abilities. That is how progress is done.

As far as the masses, let marketing depts do their thing to them........we do not care, never did. As for me, I have a 12 core motherboard with 32 gigs of ram.etc and I jack it to 85% demand almost every day, and I am sure that there are very very few computers that have this capabilities.

The funny thing more innovation make more efficiencies my computer under a full load uses less than most of the gaming rigs out there and has 50% more muscle.

On the phone dual core allow one to create algorithms that will make the battery use way more efficient.

More cores more ram === win win win for everyone, but us in XDA and other forums like this it is just great great great for us.......... don't worry we will use what ever is created 110% and make it better.
[General Topics] aget1:
If dual core in your Nokia 3210, yes it's overkilling, but if dual core in your cad workstation, it's been overkilled. All depends on the user, usage, and design of the device.
[General Topics] vbetts:
That and yields for Nehalem 8 cores aren't so high. Bulldozer yields are working out okay so far, but then again it's not a real 8 core cpu...:D
[General Topics] xsteven77x:
Some of you people are nuts. It's not being about right or wrong. I just wanted to have a discussion about it. You dont have to prove me one way or the other, obviously i see the benefits from both sides. Can't we just be civil?
[General Topics] TonyCubed:
Sorry, but with people going on batteries, each CPU release makes it more efficient even though they are upping the Ghz or the number of cores. What people need is not more efficient CPU's (which were getting any ways), but better batteries, and that's not down to phone companies, that's down to companies making batteries and achieving goals like fuel cells etc.
[General Topics] xsteven77x:
I agree 100%!
[General Topics] drleospaceman:
Wow, no. Use of a dual core cpu is way, way towards the bottom of the list of what makes a good software application.
[General Topics] Serious_Beans:
I don't have much response to this statement but I remember talking with my friend a couple of years ago and talking about dual core phones and it sounded so ridiculous but now, I think it has a use. Android is being more polished and hopefully more devs will jump on board to make games like Infinity Blade for Android (in a graphics sense not story line). With dual core phones everything seems snappier. I went from a Nexus S and then a G2x and I notice a difference for sure and now using a Nexus One and it's crap. Dual Core is unnecessary for the majority of people but for those who don't want to carry around a PSP NGP or a 3DS around with them and want to game more than just the casual Angry Birds then that's what the more powerful phones are for as well as high res movies and all that juicy hd content.

Too be honest, I'm one of those people that just wants the best and most powerful phone on the market...hoping those rumors of a Nexus 3 with Tegra 3 are true, because that will be great!
[General Topics] tolis626:
Well,technology is developing,we can't and don't want to doubt that(If it didn't we'd be stuck moving around with a wooden horse-led carriage and communicating with smoke signals for Christ's sake).

Believe me now,dual-cores are the way to go right now.Businesses saw profit and potential in smartphones,so they started developing them.CPUs started getting more and more powerful,complex yet beautiful UIs were made etc.

Now we have reached the point where a choice has to be made.Evolution never stops,as Mother Nature has tought us.So,would you prefer to see a single-core running at 2-2.5GHz,or a dual-core running at 1-1.2GHz?These were the alternatives.So a second core was chosen to be the next step forward.

Don't flame something YOU might not need(this doesn't target anyone specific,just sayin').How would PCs be if we were stuck with single-core CPUs?

So I say no,as long as battery doesn't get worse(which it doesn't),dual-cores aren't overkill in any way,not even for the average joe.And hell,single-core phones aren't obsolete yet!If someone doesn't want dual-core,they don't have to buy one! ;)
[General Topics] the_v1s1onary:
Well yeah, but if you don't release and develope faster and better chips now, when are you gonna do it? I mean to say, it may be overkill for most, but it's essentially all for the sake of progress so that in the future dual-cores will be standard and quads will be the breakthrough technology.

John
[General Topics] lude219:
Better not tell the OP that quad-core CPUs (a9) are already available to mnfgr for testing since the beginning of the year. Hell, most of them are done with the testing phase and are just twiddling their thumbs until release date (ie, Sony NGP) ;)
[General Topics] 1milenia:
dont worry about battery life

solar panels are coming soon
[General Topics] Haplodroid:
There isn't much multi-threaded software yet, just a few games.
[General Topics] Dirk:
My take on this is that the Manufacturers need to keep adding power so that they can keep adding more and more Bloatware.
[General Topics] splendidtry:
They have to go multi core because of the limitations of single core.

But single core is always faster than 2 cores adding up to the same mhz.
[General Topics] Serious_Beans:
Um no...

What do you mean by faster? You mean as far as running 1 application? I don't think any app can use a full GHZ of processing power anyway, so to have 2 cores running at slower speeds will technically be faster because you won't notice as much slow down when switching apps and when multitasking. That's like saying a Pentium 4 at 4ghz is faster than my quad core Sandy Bridge at 2ghz..
[General Topics] xsteven77x:
Why is that? You think I'm gonna run in a corner and cry? I have seen lots of reasons as to why it is not overkill now. That is what we civilized people call discussion. Everything does not have to be so personal.
[General Topics] tolis626:
That is perhaps the biggest amount of bull**** a single post has gathered in this thread.

Say you need to run 10 scripts to launch application A.A single-core CPU will run the scripts one after another,no matter how fast it is.A dual core will run said scripts two at a time or even better.So you think that if I overclock my Desire HD at 2GHz it will be faster than the Optimus 2X at 1GHz?

Really,read something before you post stuff like that.If people who aren't exactly experts when it comes to technology read posts like yours,they will think single-cores are the future for God's sake!
[General Topics] tolis626:
I think he was joking? :o :confused:
[General Topics] Eller1987:
I mean, a dualcore CPU is overpowered for a smartphone.

But it is the next step, or you like a 3,2GHz Singlecore Mobilephone whit a 10mm Fan? :D
[General Topics] Meltus:
What's the point in making dual-core phones? Because we can ffs! What other reason do you need?!?

If they released an Octo-core phone or something tomorrow i'd be thinking "Wow, that's pointless as hell but... Holy crap i want it."
[General Topics] Jotokun:
For most tasks, yes, a dual core CPU is a bit overkill. However, one of the great things about smartphones is that they're effectively pocket sized computers. With a little coding know how, you can make them do whatever you want them to. So someone, somewhere will find an awesome use for that second core or high clock rate. If your not in that group, or dont want to use software created by someone in that group, then by all means dont feel like you have to buy a dual core phone.
[General Topics] seittit:
completely agree. while i'm all about pursuing the evolution of technology, dual core isn't needed for the current OS of Android.

it's like adding 4 gb of RAM to Windows 95...useless.
[General Topics] Eller1987:
I am waiting for a Nvidia GTX580µM GPU :D

Plus a Quadcore 2GHz CPU, than i can play Crysis 2 on my Smartphone :cool:
[General Topics] lude219:
I was joking but i guess its a touchy subject to you ;) really, if you don't need it then don't use/buy it, its not a hard concept to grasp. dual core is as overkill as having a Ferrari, not everyone cares about your fuel efficient prius nor enjoy with the bare minimum ;) just don't impede progress in the name of science and technology.
[General Topics] TimeSplitterX:
lets give it a try

i think only if we have the option of a dual core we can build on it and perhaps there will be sth very great like eller said

but lets hope that the developers are not that stupid and forget about increasing the batterylife otherwise playing crisis2 for example would be very short :(
[General Topics] I Am Marino:
I think Quad Core will be overkill, Dual is just right.

Sent from my Incredible with the XDA Premium App.
[General Topics] vbetts:
QFNT

Quoted for not truth. The big reason Intel, AMD, IBM, Via, ARM, etc etc are going multiple cores is because single core has no future in high end productivity because of problems you will have with single core, such as a higher TDP. Then you take into consideration, what will you do when you've used all of the services from the single core? You have one app on one core, and then instead of using the resources of that core, the OS allocates the next app you run on the other core. Then you think about apps that are multithreaded apps that can take advantage of multiple threads and cores.
[General Topics] T3h vICE:
i think it's already a mistake with to much cpu power. it's a mobile phone, but if you travel for 3 days and have no place to recharge your phone, you allready owned by now. dualcore = 1 day batlife or what? an atomgenerator in my phone would be nice xD
[General Topics] splashattack:
1 day of talk time? now thatd be great. even 1 day with average use is an improvement for most android phones. majority of current android phones cant make it past 6 or 7 hours of talk time. hell my eris is rated at 3.5 hours of talk time. if dual cores can improve battery life, or even improve performance at no cost to battery life, i f'n want it
[General Topics] crushsuitandtie:
1) Quit throwing out stats you made up and the word "most". You do not speek for the world. The resounding sales of high graphicj quality games and hardware speak for the world.

2) The advancement in technology hitting mainstream provides the revenue for R&D to advance further.

3) Thesmartphone revolution will not stop and requires much stronger hardware as displays get higher density, games get smoother, appls get more functional and web pages get more interactive.

4) How can you possibly think that dual core phones is overkill when GUI's, HTC Sense and the browser lags on so many devices. The ONLY way to fix this is stronger processors.

5) So maybe we should stop developing faster devices because you say they are unnecessary. Or howabout we get higher core, lower power devices with foldable displays and infinite possibilites in mobile app and game platforms. Who would develop new apps and games if there is no hardware on the market widely adopted that would be CAPABLE of using it.

6) So lets assume you're right and we dont need dual core phones... are younarrow minded enough to think that you can pimp your view to everyone else that WE (the world) dont need it. The mobile ecosystem is FAR LARGER THAN YOU. the future development of mobile devices hinges on getting new technology to the mainstream.
[General Topics] vbetts:
To be fair, Android itself really isn't hardware accelerated. If it was, I'm sure even the Adreno 200 would be okay for Android even.
[General Topics] sorangtr:
Battery tech isnt catching up fast enuff to match smartphone development.

I miss the days when i could carry a phone around for 2-3 days without a charge. Now my X10 is like Cinderella, needs to be back home by midnight to sleep.....:p
[General Topics] Ared777:
yeaa

I agree that a dual-core processor in a phone is overkill right now, but it will probably become a valid concept in a few years. I have the HTC HD2, which has a 1 GHz Qualcomm; I had 22 apps running and it still didn't crash. However, you certainly don't want to be maxing out your hardware because, in fact, that will diminish battery life. I think that's what other people were getting at with faster hardware increasing battery life; if the hardware isn't working as hard, it will use less energy. But currently dual-core is a tad overkill; the computer I'm typing this on isn't even dual-core.
[General Topics] Ared777:
haha

^that's the greatest thing i've heard all day. haha.
[General Topics] wooddale:
I dont think there is really anything out there that justifies dual core not to say there wont be but by then there will be a better phone one big circle.
[General Topics] xsteven77x:
Get a grip. Thats all i gotta say. I aint forcing **** on no one. I never said i was right, i have not made one post trying to say im right, and frankly i dont give a flying **** if i'm right. It's a discussion.
[General Topics] xsteven77x:
Sorry dude didnt understand you were joking:o
[General Topics] RickNY1971:
I think this is kind of a silly point -- it is not as if the mean price of smartphones is rising due to the fact that they are incorporating multi-core CPUs in them.. Phone manufacturers have been pretty good at putting features at the applicable price points.. What you get now for a $149 upgrade is certainly much much better than what you got 2 years ago for $149... As someone else mentioned, battery life will catch up -- but technology has to reach critical mass before widescale improvements in battery life will be seen.. The old adage "Build it, and they will come" applies here...

Just my opinion..
[General Topics] kekwowse01:
Personally, I think a very important part of multi-core is its ability to have multiple parallel processes. A multi-core is less likely to freeze as compare to a single core because there is always another core to maintain the OS and to force close the freezing process (break the infinite loop due perhaps)
[General Topics] Cyanidex00:
Dual-core isn't necessarily overkill, honestly.

Take for example, the Atrix. Motoblur is like a resource hog. I was playing with one at the local store and it ran fine with the processor.

but, on the flip-side using the same hardware running Google AOSP 2.3 Gingerbread, would it make everything smoother? Not necessarily. I have absolutely no hiccups running it on the Inspire. I guess in the sense of processing files/playing games that might make a bit of a difference. But normal everyday use doesn't really justify it, but I guess I'm in the center of the line. Neither here nor there.
[General Topics] Wilmieeee:
dual core already? next thing you know, these phones will be transporting us to cities smh
[General Topics] tolis626:
Guys,the biggest mistake I keep reading about around here is that dual-core CPUs will diminish battery life.Totally not true.The biggest and probably only battery hog on our devices are the huge screens.Seriously,after a day of normal usage you can all go in settings->about->battery stats.Display is always on top,ranging from like 40% up to 85 or even 90%(I've seen 92% on my Desire HD with full brightness,yet easily made it through the day).

The days when CPUs drained the batteries dry is long past dudes.My DHD's CPU overclocked at 1.8GHz drains about as much(If not less) as my old Hero's CPU overclocked at 748MHz(or even stock 528MHz).Get over it.I think it was AMD's next lineup that promised about 1 Watt power consumption for NOTEBOOK processors. ;)
[General Topics] kar111:
Just wondering, is it possible to record 1080p without dual core? I personally think dual core is not overkill.. The battery on my GS2 is very acceptable. Quad core on the other hand would be overkill..
[General Topics] BroodjeBami:
You're right on the point that MOST of the consumers doesn't need dual-core, but not NEEDING doesn't mean it's unnecessary. I think that because of dual-core, developers will make better apps, manufacturers will make better phones etc.

If dual-core phones didn't exist, then things like tegra zone wouldn't exist and that means slower development.
[General Topics] Kailkti:
Well as much as I agree with development, tegra zone is just hurting the gaming world. SO it's sort of counter productive.
[General Topics] xsteven77x:
My roommate is actually getting a g2x today. I'm somewhat excited to actually get to play with one for myself! :)
[General Topics] jeremyharith:
Hmm, yea i agree with someone who said earlier that buying a dualcore phone is to future proof themselves.
[General Topics] vbetts:
It would honestly depend on how efficient the core is. I mean look at x86, just a couple years ago nobody would have thought that a small low volt system like Atom would even support 720p, then ion came out with 1080p support. It's also depends if the decoding, and encoding the 1080p is done by the actual cpu, or if it's fully hardware gpu accelerated and most the load is on the gpu.
[General Topics] :
Try to compile Gentoo Linux on it and then come back... :p
[General Topics] Evil_Cid:
No it isn't....having a six-core PC system just to type in Microsoft Word is overkill :D :D
[General Topics] Evil_Cid:
Why on Earth would a normal person want to do that....ofc us techies do care about this :P

Simple answer: Yes, it IS possible.
[General Topics] I Am Marino:
Like I said earlier, I think dual core is the last reasonable processor improvement. Beyond that, being quad core for a phone is kinda ridiculous and I love that kind of power, don't get me wrong but I really rather companies focus on better battery life, maybe internal memory?
[General Topics] Coolhanded:
I think dual and quad are great. Just imagine docking to your TV. Playing movies. Streaming iplayer and 4od. Web browsing. Then there's the gaming. Hook up a wireless controller and your playing games from your phone onto monitor or TV. The graphical power that phones have and will have makes this cool. Porting half life 2 and call of duty. Basically alot of people wont use their PC's. Anymore. That's just my opinion.
[General Topics] masterchop:
2cores = super super CELS do you imagine it, its to much power from a mobile device, we need more developer to build better batteries, they dont last anylomger
[General Topics] alatariell:
True but didnt nvida said that dual core is under normal conditions less power hungry then a single core due to load balancing on 2 cores?
[General Topics] praiseyevon:
Regardless, thrashing a dual core will consume more wattage than a single core. I agree, this snapdragon 45nm variant is more than fast enough to handle froyo through gingerbread. Who knows though when Ice Cream drops on us Q4. By then, your Top LTE Phone will use Dual Core regardless, just because that's the trend.
[General Topics] SuperDeform:
Even tho 1ghz runs you fine i still get some lag and freeze. I need to upgrade to dual
[General Topics] champking:
Not really...but kind of in some sense.