Pentium Dual Core Vs. Quad Core

Pentium cores process information for computers.

Advancing technology has produced faster computing capabilities. The dual- and quad-core Pentium processors, made by Intel Corporation, contribute to this advancement by putting multiple individual processors into one composite processor.

Basics

A core represents the actual processing unit performing all tasks a computer must handle, according to the book "Build It. Fix It. Own It." Before 2005, the terms processor and core were interchangeable because each processor had only one core, until Intel designed a processor with two, and later four, cores on a single chip.

Advantages

Both the dual and quad processors offer advantages, such as more computing capability from having more cores that can bear the computing load. In a dual-core processor, the two cores can divide different tasks between the two cores, increasing processing speed. A quad-core offers the same capabilities, but with more cores, thus more performance.

Disadvantages

While exceptions exist, generally multicore processors can't divide tasks within an application. Still, with technology progressing, some applications exist which allow for two cores being utilized within one application.

While quad-core processors can give more performance, not all programs can utilize the advantage of four cores. "Build It. Fix It. Own It" cites only 10 to 20 percent performance gains over dual-core processors as of 2008.

References

• "Build It. Fix It. Own It."; Paul McFedries; 2008
• "Discovering Computers 2010"; Gary B. Shelly, Misty E. Vermaat, Jeffrey J. (CON) Quasney; 2009