So, about my processor - Using programs that want a better one

[Regulith]

With Wedge's new topic on how to make maps in AutoCAD, I decided to use the e-mail I got from my architecture teacher for a free 1 year license (it wouldn't hurt to be able to practice and fool around with it either). My only worry was the system requirements, because my teacher had installed one of the Autodesk programs on an older, less capable computer of his and ended up literally melting the inside because it was too much to handle.

AutoCAD requires an "Intel Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon dual-core processor, 3 GHz or higher with SSE2 technology", and I have a Pentium Dual-core with 2GHz. What would happen if I installed and used AutoCAD on my computer? Would it just be slow or would it cause significant damage?

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[Gamefandan]

I am confuse. 

[Regulith]

I am confuse. 

In short: If I ran a program that wants a Pentium 4 3GHz with my Pentium Dual-Core 2GHz, would something really bad happen?

[Inv3rted]

It's probably an older version of AutoCAD, but my dad has it installed on every computer in his studio, which have Pentium 4 less than 3.0ghz.

[Regulith]

Bump.

[Kyzor]

Does your Pentium Dual-Core have hyperthreading capabilities?

[Regulith]

Does your Pentium Dual-Core have hyperthreading capabilities?

I don't even know what that means, lol

[Kyzor]

Hyperthreading.

And now that I actually read the article I doubt your processor has HTT.

EDIT: So, basically, if you were using an HTT-compatible OS with a Dual-Core HTT processor, your computer would see four cores and distribute the processes among them, therefore, yes, the program you're talking about would work fine with your computer, if the aforementioned is true.

[Regulith]

Alright, well, what I really want to know is will using a less-capable processor do any damage to my computer?

[Kyzor]

I don't think so, but if it has HTT, it's definitely fine. Try Googling your processor to find some specs and whether it has HTT or not. Pentium Dual-Core processors are really nice, you hopefully shouldn't have any problems, but you might want to ask someone who knows more about this than I do. Stop by your local Best Buy or the like and talk to a GeekSquad rep. They'll definitely have answers for you.

[Regulith]

It doesn't have HTT. Wikipedia says the max CPU clock is up to 2.93GHz, I don't know if that's all Dual-Cores or only higher quality ones. One of my friends (who's a professional computer drafter and computer wiz in general) says it wouldn't hurt my computer to run AutoCAD on it, so I'm feeling pretty confident I can run it fine.

[Kyzor]

Yeah, if your friend is as smart as he sounds I'd definitely trust him, I don't know much, I was just throwing suggestions around. :P

[Regulith]

I asked on Yahoo Answers and was told the only side-effect would be AutoCAD running slowly or not at all, so I've started installing it. I'll see what happens.

[Regulith]

It worked, and the only side-effect is some mild, almost unnoticeable lag.

Thanks to everyone who helped, I'll leave this unlocked in case anyone has anything else to say.