BleepingComputer.com: Processor question

If I get a dual core 2.7GHz processor is it like having a 4.14GHz processor performance wise?

No, clock speeds with multicore CPU's do not stack. However, if a program can use both cores, as in the application was designed for it, you will notice a substantial speed increase as it can use both 2.7 GHz. CPU cores at the same time. But not all programs can use two or more cores and those will be limited more by the clock cpeed, 2.7 GHz., and not the number of cores. This is why getting a fast CPU clock speed is suggested, even with dual or quad core CPU's.

thanks. do any games utilize this? if so , many or few?

Depends. Newer games, like Mass Effect 2, Crysis, and Fallout 3 can use two or four cores depending on the game engine. Older games, like The Sims 2 cannot use mulicore and are limited by the clock speed of a single core. Most newish games can use quad cores, if the development team took time to program this in, slightly older games will certainly use dual cores. By the word "use" I refer to not just supporting CPU's with varying core amounts, but being coded to utilize the additional cores. Searching the net for quad core optimized games yields varying lists, if you want to find out if a specific game is designed for quads, you should search for it.