A dual core processor has two separate cores on the same chip, improving efficiency and multitasking. Software must have simultaneous multi-threading technology to use both cores. It does not require a new motherboard and is faster than a single-core system but slower than a multiprocessor system.
A dual core processor for a computer is a central processing unit (CPU) that has two separate cores on the same die, each with its own cache. They are essentially two microprocessors in one. This type of CPU is widely available from many manufacturers. Other types of multi-core processors have also been developed, including quad-core processors with four cores each, hexa-core processors with six, octa-core processors with eight, and many-core processors with even more cores.
In a single-core or traditional processor, the CPU receives strings of instructions that it must sort, execute, then selectively cache in its cache for quick retrieval. When data outside the cache is requested, it is retrieved via the system bus from random access memory (RAM) or storage devices. Accessing these slows down performance to the maximum speed allowed by the bus, RAM or storage device, which is much slower than CPU speed.
This situation is aggravated when the computer user is multitasking. In this case, the processor has to switch back and forth between two or more sets of data streams and programs. CPU resources are depleted and performance suffers.
In a dual core processor, each core handles incoming data strings simultaneously to improve efficiency. Just as two heads are better than one, so are two hands. When one core is running, the other can access the system bus or run its own code.
To use a dual core processor, the operating system must be multi-threading aware and the software must have simultaneous multi-threading (SMT) technology written into the code. SMT allows for parallel multi-threading, where cores are supplied with multi-threaded instructions in parallel. Without SMT, the software will only recognize one core. SMT is also used with multiprocessor systems common to servers.
A dual core processor is different from a multiprocessor system. In the latter there are two separate CPUs with their own resources. In the former, resources are shared and the cores reside on the same chip. A multiprocessor system is faster than a system with a dual core processor, and a dual core system is faster than a single core system, when all else is equal.
An interesting benefit of dual core processors is that they don’t require new motherboards, but can be used in existing boards that have the correct sockets. For the average user, the difference in performance will be most noticeable when multi-tasking, until more software recognizes SMT. Servers running multiple dual core processors will see an appreciable performance boost.
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