Retro gaming: old games work better on dual core or quad core PCs?

[LastDefender]

[Sosallina]

Well...
I don't think old games were a big deal when it comes to the core number. The speed of the CPU is what is actually really crucial.
My super old computer ran arcade games on its single core (Intel Celeron @ 1.7 GHz) without any issues. The current computer I'm using with AMD Phenom 8450 (3 cores @ 2.1 GHz) runs old games fluently.

I'd like to be corrected if I'm wrong, though.

[alicerinz]

Most old games cant use more than 2 cores, so an Intel Core 9999 Spacelake KKK is gonna be a waste

[SMIFFY]

How old is old, because really old games have no concept of multi core processors so they'll make no use of the extra cores.

[LastDefender]

Originally posted by SMIFFY:

How old is old, because really old games have no concept of multi core processors so they'll make no use of the extra cores.

Old like 2000 - 2010

[Laguna]

Depends how old is retro for you. Most old games are going to have to run through an emulator of some kind though... Which will often offset any benefits the more modern hardware might give you.

[LastDefender]

Originally posted by Laguna:

Depends how old is retro for you. Most old games are going to have to run through an emulator of some kind though... Which will often offset any benefits the more modern hardware might give you.

No, not that retro.
The older game I have is Age of Empire released in 1997.

[LastDefender]

Originally posted by fauxtronic:

Christ. Games made between 2000-2010 are classed as retro now?

Yeah, maybe I didn't use that expression correctly.
Forgive me, Great Member of this community.

[Laguna]

Originally posted by LastDefender:

Originally posted by Laguna:

Depends how old is retro for you. Most old games are going to have to run through an emulator of some kind though... Which will often offset any benefits the more modern hardware might give you.

No, not that retro.
The older game I have is Age of Empire released in 1997.

Well if you're running them in Windows you will be emulating the states of earlier versions of the OS to do so. I've been running the C&C series lately... and whilst it runs a bit smoother than I remember graphically that doesn't help me with choppy sound issues or slightly ugly resolutions.

Unfortunately PC gaming moves at a rate where; No. Unless it's a fairly recent game beefier more modern hardware isn't going to make the game better. Quite often the software moves ahead with the hardware. Trying to find the right drivers etc offsets the advance.

[LastDefender]

Originally posted by fauxtronic:

Originally posted by LastDefender:

Yeah, maybe I didn't use that expression correctly.
Forgive me, Great Member of this community.

Goodness me, what thin skin you have.

Sorry, Master.

[Ice Robertson]

Tbh even if a game only uses one core, The other cores of your modern cpu will be doing background windows task's, So a 1 core 2.4Ghz cpu should still be slower for those old games than a dual core 2.2Ghz.

The trick is getting these old games to run on new machines as sometimes it's not as simple as just installing and playing.

[Ice Robertson]

I should also point out that newer machines have other advantages, Like maybe a solid state hard drive or faster memory or better video card.