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dual core processor

Since the computing power of modern CPUs can only be increased to a limited extent via the clock frequency, which entails hardly solvable thermal problems, CPU manufacturers are taking a different approach and combining two processor cores in one package to form a dual-core processor. This brings a performance increase of over 60% as well as a much higher efficiency, which is expressed in million instructions per second( MIPS) per watt (W), MIPS/W.

Dual-core processors can already be implemented in the manufacturing process so that both processor cores are located on one die. It is also possible to manufacture them as multi- chip modules, in which the two processors are combined on one printed circuit board. The two processors can also be combined on a completely newly developed chip.

Dual-core Pentium with 230 million transistors

Dual-core Pentium with 230 million transistors

The advantage of dual-core processors, which however share a cache, lies in the higher computing power due to parallel processing, but also in the lower power consumption that comes with a reduction in clock frequency.

Such dual-core processors are available from Intel as Pentium Extreme Edition (Pentium D), but also from AMD with the Opteron (2xx) and Athlon 64x2, from Fujitsu with the Sparc VI and from IBM with the Power6 and PowerPC 970MP.

Xeon dual core processor in 65 nm technology, photo: Intel

Xeon dual core processor in 65 nm technology, photo: Intel

In the dual Athlon 64x2, both processor cores hang on a fast crossbar switch to access the memory and peripherals. In addition to the Athlon, the Opteron is also available in a dual-core version.

The dual-core processor marks a trend towards multi-core process ors, which continues in quad-core processors, the Quad Core Processor, and further multi-core processors.

Informations:
Englisch: dual core processor
Updated at: 18.09.2011
#Words: 271
Links: computing power, vertical interconnect access (PCB) (via), clock (CLK), frequency (f), central processing unit (CPU)
Translations: DE
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