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Dual core technology involves two microprocessors on one chip, allowing for parallel processing and faster performance. It has advantages over twin-core technology but requires software designed for parallel threading. Dual core chips have built-in caches and consume less power, but can run hotter than single core processors. Choosing a dual core processor depends on the intended use and software requirements.
Dual core technology refers to two individual microprocessors on a single die-cast chip. It is essentially two computer processing units (CPUs) in one. The advantage of this type of chip is that tasks can be performed in parallel streams, reducing processing time. This is referred to as thread-level parallelism (TLP).
TLP is also possible on motherboards that can accommodate two separate CPU dies. When TLP is performed in a single CPU via dual core technology, it is referred to as chip-level multiprocessing (CLM).
In CPUs with more than one core, each microprocessor usually has its own built-in cache, known as a level 1 (L1) cache. L1 cache significantly improves system performance because it is much faster to access the on-chip cache than using random access memory (RAM). L1 cache is accessed at microprocessor speed.
Dual core chips also have a secondary shared cache on the CPU, known as a level 2 (L2) cache. Motherboards may also have a cache chip designated as a level 3 (L3) cache. Although faster than RAM, L3 cache is slower than on-chip cache.
Dual core technology has advantages over double-core or twin-core technology. The latter terms refer to two independent CPUs installed on the same motherboard. Dual core chips take up less motherboard space, have higher cache coherence, and consume less power than two independent CPUs. However, this technology also has its drawbacks.
For software to take advantage of the multi-core architecture, it must be written to use parallel threading. Otherwise, the program runs in single-core mode, using only one data stream or one of the built-in microprocessors. Unfortunately, encoding for TLP is quite challenging, as interleaving shared data can create errors and slow performance. Because of these and other issues, a dual core processor does not offer twice the speed of a single core processor, although there is a significant performance increase under optimal conditions. Finally, dual core chips run hotter than their single core cousins.
Whether such a processor is right for you will depend on what you intend to use for your computer. If the programs you need on a regular basis are designed for TLP, you could benefit greatly from a multi-core chip. If not, you might be better served by a high-end single-core CPU.
