m11xr1 processor question

I'm not very computer savvy so please bear w/ me.

m11x says it runs at 1.7Ghz, but since its dual core does that mean the speeds add up?

I'm asking b/c i'm wondering how it's able to play starcraft 2 or other modern games when the minimum required speed is often greater than 2GHz

 

1) No, you cannot just add the speeds up. A dual-core 1.7Ghz CPU means that you have a processor with two cores that each run at 1.7Ghz.

2) Don't worry about clock speed numbers. They are largely irrelevant now.

As Intel releases different generations of CPU's, they become tremendously more efficient per clock cycle. For example, a modern Core i5 2.4Ghz CPU (Intel's current generation) will absolutely crush a Pentium 4 3.4Ghz (2 generations back) in performance, despite the fact that the Pentium 4 is 1.0Ghz "faster". The 2.4Ghz i5 is simply a more efficient processor - it does more work per clock cycle.

In general, ignore clock speed numbers on game requirements. They don't affect you.