A quad core processor has four independent cores that can process data and allocate different processes to individual cores using multitasking. However, the operating system determines how well a computer can handle running multiple applications simultaneously. Quad core processors are marketed to users running resource-intensive applications such as video games, video editing software, and graphics editors. Many benchmark tests have shown that quad core processors enable faster video encoding, rendering, and editing speeds than single and dual core processors. The ability to realize speed gains from even more cores depends on designing software that can take advantage of the latest technology to process data in parallel.
A quad core processor is a single unit made up of four independent cores that process fixed or variable length data. Each of the four cores works independently to read and execute computer program instructions, which might include data and memory functions. Multiprocessing allocates different processes to individual cores using a method known as multitasking. This method can help a supported operating system (OS) run more efficiently, especially when allocating processing power to multiple resource-intensive applications simultaneously.
While a quad core processor supports multitasking, it is the operating system that determines how well a computer will handle running multiple applications simultaneously. Multitasking depends on frequent task context switching to produce the illusion of parallel running applications. Because it has more cores, a quad core processor is in theory able to handle tasks faster than single or dual core processors. In practice, however, there are several reasons why quad core processors may not actually be faster.
Despite the perception that more cores should equate to faster processing, the performance improvement of the quad core processor over its predecessors depends on application usage and implementation. Quad core processors in computer systems are typically marketed to users running resource-intensive applications such as video games, video editing software, and graphics editors. Many video games are written to take full advantage of multiprocessors.
Software that supports multi-threading, like many video and graphics editors, doesn’t handle tasks smoothly. Instead, tasks run in parallel across multiple processors or cores. Primarily due to better multi-threading capabilities, many benchmark tests have shown that quad core processors enable faster video encoding, rendering, and editing speeds than single and dual core processors.
In addition to dual and quad core processors, processors with even more cores are being developed and implemented. As with previous multi-core processors, adding even more cores promises to boost processing speed even further. The ability to realize these speed gains, however, appears to depend on designing software that can take advantage of the latest technology to process data in parallel across the number of cores available.
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