Intel Dual

How well will an Intel®Pentium® dual-core processor work with 2 gb of memory? should I go higher to Core 2?

how much of a difference in speed is there between Intel®Pentium® dual-core processor and Core 2 duo?
Also, would it be possible to play the sims 2 or Flight simulator X with only 1 gb? how well would they run?

I would go with the Core 2 Duo processor with at least the same processor speed as the Pentium Dual Core you are considering.

You have to tell me the operating speed/ model number of each processor if you want an accurate answer as to the relative performance.

These two have identical performance scores.
Pentium Dual Core E2160 1800MHZ $83.99
Rendering time = 1:54
Core 2 Duo E4300 1800 MHz $129.99
Rendering time = 1:54

Yes 2GB of memory is good with Vista. Some gamers use 4GB. I recommend 800+MHz Dual Channel RAM if your system supports it.
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Performance difference only 2% changing from 800 MHz Dual Channel RAM to 1244 MHz per

http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/06/15/hardcore_ddr2_ram_by_corsair/page16.html

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My opinion for a new computer processor to run Vista:
A Rendering Time of 1:59 or less
For gaming a Rendering Time of 1:33 or less (1:20 or less preferred)
Refer to:

http://www23.tomshardware.com/cpu_2007.html

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Rendering time, lower number is faster per

http://www23.tomshardware.com/cpu_2007.html

AMD Athlon 64 Processor 3500+ $52.99
Rendering time = 3:59
Pentium D 2800 MHz $99.99
Rendering time = 2:43
Pentium D 3600 MHz
Rendering time = 2:08
AMD Athlon 64 X2 Processor 4000+ $69.99
Rendering time = 2:08
Pentium Dual Core E2160 1800MHZ
Rendering time = 1:54
Core 2 Duo E4300 1800 MHz $129.99
Rendering time = 1:54
AMD Athlon 64 X2 Processor 6000+ $159.99
Rendering time = 1:27
Core 2 Duo E6550 2333 MHz $157.39
Rendering time = 1:27
Core 2 Duo E6750 2666 MHz $175.39
Rendering time = 1:17
Core 2 Duo E6850 3000 MHz $279.99
Rendering time = 1:09
Core 2 Quad Q6600 $279.99
Rendering time = 0:47
Core 2 Extreme QX6850 $1034.99
Rendering time = 0:39

Prices per newegg.com
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CPU gaming performance charts: Rendering time

http://www23.tomshardware.com/cpu_2007.html

CPU Benchmarks

http://www.cpubenchmark.net/index.php

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My opinion for a new video card:
For playing the latest games a FRAPS (frames per second) of 50 or higher (optimum 80 or higher)
For moderate games a FRAPS of 30 or more.
For 2D (simple) games or no games a FRAPS of 18 or more
Refer to:

http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphics.html

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FRAPS (fames per second) per

http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphics.html

NVIDIA 8300GS is the OEM version of the 8400GS
NVIDIA 8400GS ($47) FRAPS=12 Est.
NVIDIA 8500GT ($59) FRAPS=17.5
ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro ($85) FRAPS = 33.6 est.
ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT ($100) FRAPS = 47.7
NVIDIA 8600GTS ($133) FRAPS= 53.6
ATI Radeon HD 2900 PRO ($280) FRAPS= 88.1 est.
NVIDIA 8800GTS ($270) FRAPS=102.2
ATI Radeon HD 2900 XT ($375) FRAPS = 108.6
NVIDIA 8800Ultra ($550) FRAPS=116.9

All cards above support DirectX 10.

Prices per

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048+1069609641+1305520548+106791921&name=GeForce+8+series

Most if not all of these video cards power requirements will require upgrading the computer power supply.