What Is Dual Core Processor?

A dual-core processor is a single, integrated circuit with two separate cores or central processing units. Dual-core processors give a significant performance increase over single-core processors with complex software and games---particularly with multi-tasking. Applications and games that support dual-core technology will benefit from the dual-cores while only performing one task; however, older applications that do not support dual-core will not see much of an increase, except for the benefit of increased multi-tasking support.

History

The first dual-core processor was created by IBM in 2001. IBM's Power 4 processor was designed for server applications and was not available for home use. The first dual-core processor for standard home PCs was the Intel Pentium EE 840. The Pentium EE 840 was part of the Extreme Edition and carried a heavy price premium. Dual-core processors have since gone through many upgrades that have improved performance and lowered prices.

Significance

The introduction of Dual-core processors was a huge leap in computing technology. Prior to the release of dual-core processors, having a dual-processor computer was very uncommon. Servers and high-end workstations were typically the only systems to have dual-processors. Typical PCs do not have the space required to house a dual-processor motherboard. Applications and standard versions of operating systems did not take advantage of dual-processors or dual-core processors until the introduction of affordable dual-core processors like AMD's Athlon 64x2 and Intel's Core Duo line.

Types

While Intel released the first at home dual-core processors, it was AMD that took the early lead in dual-core technology. Intel's first Pentium line of dual-core processors were outpaced by AMD's Athlon 64x2. Quickly after this, Intel developed the Core Duo line which remained the leader until Intel's Core 2 Duo was released. In 2009, AMD has released newer versions of their Athlon; however, Intel's dual-core Core 2 Duo processor is the highest rated.

Benefits

Dual-core processors allow each CPU to do separate tasks or collaborate with each other. Since the two CPUs are close to each other on the chip, lag time transferring data back and forth is greatly reduced when compared to a dual-processor system, as is the energy required to do so. Dual-core processors will typically cost less than dual-processors, and will have more options for motherboards.

Performance

In operating systems that support Thread-Level-Parallelism (TLP), multiple commands can be sent to the processors without a delay or response back. Previously, with single-core processors, operating systems would send a command to the processor and wait for a response before sending the next command. Dual-core processors will allow for more commands in a time-frame since there are two separate CPUs performing the calculations. This will result in a higher performing system.

References

• Intel
• AMD