Multi-core processor: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 15:52, 10 January 2006

Revision as of 13:21, 11 January 2006

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A '''multi-core''' [[microprocessor]] is one which combines two or more independent processors into a single package, often a single [[integrated circuit]] (IC). Similarly, a '''dual-core''' device contains only two independent microprocessors. In general, multi-core microprocessors allow a computing device to exhibit some form of [[thread-level parallelism]] ('''TLP''') without including multiple microprocessors in separate physical packages. This form of TLP is often known as [[chip-level multiprocessing]], or '''CMP.'''

There is some discrepancy in the semantics by which the terms "multi-core" and "dual-core" are defined. Most commonly they are used to refer to some sort of [[central processing unit]] (CPU), but are sometimes also applied to [[DSP]]s and [[System-on-a-chip|SoC]]s. Additionally, some use these terms only refer to multi-core microprocessors that are manufactured on the ''same'' integradedintegrated circuit die. These persons generally prefer to refer to separate microprocessor dies in the same package by another name, such as '''"multi-chip module"''', '''"double core"''', or even '''"twin core"'''. <!-- Can we get examples of these last two? --> This article uses both the terms "multi-core" and "dual-core" to reference microelectronic CPUs manufactured on the ''same'' integrated circuit, unless otherwise noted.

[[Image:Dual Core Generic.png|thumb|190px|Conceptual diagram of a dual-core CPU, with CPU-local Level 1 caches, and shared, on-chip Level 2 caches.]]