Dual Core nub

[Sockstuff]

I've just setup a new system that has a Core2 Duo 6420. 2gb of sheep n all that jazz. All running great, but I'm not sure if I'm missing something.

If I leave task manager running on my 2nd monitor whilst i'm playing a game such as CS:S or LOTRO the CPU usage for the game .exe only ever reaches 50%. To me this would suggest it is only using one of the cores. If I look at the "Set Affinity..." bit of that exe it is selected to use both cores.

Am I being some kind of nub or are games only using one of my cores?

 

[SheepCow]

Games have to be designed to use both cores, so if it's an old game don't expect it to work.

For newer games most probably aren't dual core "aware" anyway, some are and they usually rant about it when they are.

I know that Supreme Commander, AoE3 and B&W2 are all dual-core games.

 

[Mazling]

What sheepcow said, basically. Also, don't forget about that "set affinity" dialog as some games won't work - or won't work so well - with more than one core available to it. PITA.