I was complaining here about a month ago, about the fact that ZoneAlarm Pro's minimum system requirements called for a 2GHz or faster processor. It still does, and I'm upset about that, but it got me wondering about other software's requirements, so I decided to look up some pro and consumer releases to see how ridiculous ZoneAlarm's requirements really were.
As it turns out, quite a few programs require a 2GHz or faster processor, including iTunes of all things. Some Adobe products require a 4GHz processor. So I got to thinking: "My PC's aren't that old, and most programs run fine on them."
I'm wondering if that's because my slowest currently active PC uses a Pentium 6300 Core 2 Processor (1.86 and 1.87 GHz) with 2GB of RAM, running 32 bit Windows. My other machine has an AMD Phenom Quad Core, about the same speed, with 4GB of RAM to run 64 bit Windows.
So, my questions are these: When a software company lists a 2 GHz or faster processor, are they referring to single core? Dual core? Does dual core or quad core somehow manage to run at higher speeds than their numbers suggest? I know that you can't just add the speed of each core together.
I mean, theoretically, I shouldn't be capable of running iTunes on two of my PC's, which seems ridiculous. Especially since I do run iTunes.
I hope you don't mind my posting these questions. I figured some accurate answers would benefit lots of people, not just me.
As it turns out, quite a few programs require a 2GHz or faster processor, including iTunes of all things. Some Adobe products require a 4GHz processor. So I got to thinking: "My PC's aren't that old, and most programs run fine on them."
I'm wondering if that's because my slowest currently active PC uses a Pentium 6300 Core 2 Processor (1.86 and 1.87 GHz) with 2GB of RAM, running 32 bit Windows. My other machine has an AMD Phenom Quad Core, about the same speed, with 4GB of RAM to run 64 bit Windows.
So, my questions are these: When a software company lists a 2 GHz or faster processor, are they referring to single core? Dual core? Does dual core or quad core somehow manage to run at higher speeds than their numbers suggest? I know that you can't just add the speed of each core together.
I mean, theoretically, I shouldn't be capable of running iTunes on two of my PC's, which seems ridiculous. Especially since I do run iTunes.
I hope you don't mind my posting these questions. I figured some accurate answers would benefit lots of people, not just me.
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