 - A multi-core processor is an integrated circuit (IC) to which two or more processors have been attached for enhanced performance, reduced power consumption, and more efficient simultaneous processing of multiple tasks (see parallel processing). A dual core set-up is somewhat comparable to having multiple, separate processors installed in the same computer, but because the two processors are actually plugged into the same socket, the connection between them is faster. Ideally, a dual core processor is nearly twice as powerful as a single core processor. In practice, performance gains are said to be about fifty percent: a dual core processor is likely to be about one-and-a-half times as powerful as a single core processor.
Multi-core processing is a growing industry trend as single core processors rapidly reach the physical limits of possible complexity and speed. Companies that have produced or are working on multi-core products include AMD, ARM, Broadcom, Intel, and VIA. Both AMD and Intel have announced that they will market dual core processors by 2005. At their 2004 Fall Developer Forum Intel predicted that, excepting their Celeron line, 40% of all processors the company ships will be multi-core by the end of 2006.
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Learn more about x86 commodity rackmount servers |
| Before upgrading to quad-core, consider your applications: The new quad-core chips are designed to increase performance, but not all applications need -- or can use -- multiple cores. |
| HP x86 servers beat out Dell, IBM on customer satisfaction: According to Technology Business Research, when it comes to their x86 servers, IT managers prefer HP over IBM or Dell |
| Users sound off: HP or Dell servers: Hewlett-Packard Co.'s is holding its ground as a top vendor in the worldwide server market, but Dell Inc. is a close second. Users say which they prefer. |
| Sun x86 servers turn heads: Too bad you can't get one: Users are impressed with Sun's foray into low-end hardware. But analysts and bloggers say the engineering-centric firm needs to improve logistics. |
| Second look at HPC: Is retail ready for supercomputing?: Five years ago, IT pundits said nontraditional supercomputing customers, specifically retailers, would soon buy HPC for business intelligence. Did those predictions come true? |
| Roadmap for Sun Microsystems customers after the Oracle acquisition: As Oracle decides what to do with its newly acquired Sun inventory, Sun customers face an uncertain future. This video and podcast interview offer Sun customers a possible roadmap. |
| Will Oracle hold a Sun yard sale as the acquisition's value declines?: The Oracle-Sun acquisition has faced EC objections, resulting in massive losses at Sun. Will Oracle sell off Sun assets like Solaris and Sparc or reject the Sun deal altogether? |
| Will Solaris on x86 survive the Oracle-Sun acquisition and Linux?: Will Solaris on x86 survive the Oracle-Sun acquisition? With minimal market share and ISV support, combined with Oracle's investments in Linux, one expert says it's not likely. |
| Predicting Oracle's plan for Sun assets, the future for Sun customers: What are Oracle's post-acquisition plans for selling or further developing Sun's assets? And how should customers who are invested in Sun products respond? |
| LAST UPDATED: |
27 Mar 2007
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