[GP2X not really dual core?]

[mentalmummy]

I`ve just ordered one of these devices as they look great, though I have a question after reading lots of web pages on the GP2X.

I keep reading how it is dual core but elsewhere I have read that it isn`t really because the linux OS only sees the one cpu.

Could someone enlighten me as to whether it really is dual core, as in BOTH processors can be used, or not?

I can`t see why it would have them if it is not and I have read about how some coders are working on ways to shift some routines to the second cpu but if the OS really only sees one cpu how could they?

Thanks.

Dave

[JadaBloom]

It is dual core it's just no dev can use them both in sync well. There is major latency between the two arm 920/940 (?) so no dev has been able to use them to their fullest potentional. Personally I'm happy with the psp for emulation honestly the video out feature isn't that big of a deal to me I just wish the psp had more ram. But in due time to XGP may or may not come out =P

[yaustar]

It is dual core and devs have used them (see Payback and Picodrive) by programing directly to the hardware rather then the OS layer.

[Anonymous D]

It is "dual". But deving for both processors is quite tricky.

[mentalmummy]

Thanks for the information.

So basically programs could be even more powerful if they could utilise that extra processor more easily.

That seems silly of the company building a second cpu that can only be used by directly accessing it outside of the operating system, is that a limitation of the Linux system or just the GP2X variant of it as I would have thought Linux itself could happily handle dual core systems.

I am still waiting for mine to arrive but hopefully 240 Mhz (the MK2 speed) will be fine for most stuff I want to do :)

For some reason I am not getting email notification of replies to threads I post in so excuse any late replies, I did buy the GP2X because it was sold on the allack site as a dual core system so I imagined a mega powerful system but from what I read it is still pretty good.

And besides which if my Nokia 6630 can play divx films and emulate Commodore 64`s and Nintendos and Gameboys I know this will do it much better!

[Is'lan]

But in due time to XGP may or may not come out =P

It is official that the XGP will NOT be coming out now that Gamepark (NOT Gamepark Holdings) has filed for bankruptcy.

As for the dual-core, I imagine once the custom firmware project(s) get done and we no longer have to use Gamepark Holding's firmware, we'll be able to take advantage of both cores with much more ease.

[mesosade]

Why not dev a shell/os that is powered by the non-used cpu and then make all homebrew apps just run off the easily accessed cpu? would that lessen the workload and make apps run faster?

[yaustar]

It doesn't work that way, you have to specifically develop the application with the 2nd core in mind as both cores use the same MMU. This means that there is a bottleneck in memory bandwidth.

[mesosade]

what's the the CPU frequency? for both of them

[yaustar]

200mhz per core.

[sukhi-2006]

The gp2x is a dual core system which both processors use 200mhz which is quite impressive no console has dual core so they are lame compare to gp2x.
Why do people play games on phones they have most awful control system ever stiff buttons and games can be played in landscape, not slippery awfully designed phones