However, since 99% of games on the market are not coded for multi core, they tend to run considerably slower on a multi core CPU than they would on a single core CPU of equivalent price. In fact, the Athlon 64 4000+ (the fastest currently available single core CPU) runs most games much, much faster than the equivalent multi core CPU in terms of cost. The get a multi core CPU that performed as well as a single core in single threaded applications (like current games) you would have to spend a lot more money.

And while the uptake of multi core CPUs shows no signs of slowing, any performance advantage will not come into effect in games until developers start releasing titles that are coded to take full advantage of multi core hardware.

Article by Richard Manley.