Dual Core Processor Vs. Single Processor
Most computer manufacturers regard multi-core technology, including dual core, as the future of the industry. By 2009, some processor designers were still making single core chips, but most were opting for at least dual core, which costs little more while providing a much smoother user experience.
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Identification
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Single core processors perform a single task until completion and then move on to another one. Dual core processors contain two processors on the chip, allowing it to perform two operations at once.
Function
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To perform tasks faster, single core processors need to get faster, but it becomes too hard to fit enough transistors on a chip to achieve that speed. In addition, as single core CPU's get faster, they generate increasing amounts of heat. Dual core allows two CPU's on one chip, without needing a separate socket for each processor.
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Benefits
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Besides giving a computer more processing power than a single core processor, dual cores are less stressful to an operating system. With a dual core processor, a system can dedicate one core to a program, such as a game, and one to normal computing. On a single core, the OS has to constantly direct processing power to different tasks.
Considerations
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In general, single core processors offer almost no benefit over a dual core processor, save for a small price advantage. This comes as a trade-off, however. Most modern games and video editing software need at least two cores to run optimally.
The Future
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As of 2009, dual core no longer stands as the next generation in computer processors. Intel's CPU's can now contain up to 4 (known as quad core) or 8 processors on a single chip.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Blake Patterson
