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Knowing dual core processors |
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Custom Built Computers Knowing Dual-Core Processors
Can having two be better than one?
Introduction of Dual-Core Processors
AMD and Intel have been working on to slow down the rate for boosting the clock
speeds of processor due to the limitations of current technology and design.
Both companies have introduced dual-core processors in 2005.
Yes, the advantages of more than one processor have been noticed
in the server environment through having multiple processors on single server.
If one task is running then it can be easily divided between the two processors
to allow the custom built computer run faster. That’s what a dual-core
CPU does, it takes two processors and integrate them on one physical chip.
Concept of Threading
A single stream of data by the CPU on the custom built computer
is called thread. Every application generates multiple or single threads depending
upon how it is running. A processor can only manage a single thread at a time,
so the custom built computer speedily switches among the threads to process
the data.
The main advantage of multiple processors is that the custom
built computer can handle more than one thread at a time. Both processors can
handle separate stream of data at a time. This operation increases the performance
of a custom built computer that runs heavy applications such as server.
Software Dependent
it is good to have multiple processors, sounds very good but
there is a big warning. The software that is running on the custom built computer
must support multithreading to get the real benefits of multiple processors.
If the software is not supported then threads would be primarily run through
a single processor therefore decreasing the real efficiency.
Currently, almost all major operating systems have capability
while running multithreading. But the multithreading must be written into the
application software. If not then software can not support multithreading because
operating system is not multithreading supported.
The games, like most applications, are not specially designed
to take any advantage of multiple processors. As a result, both the AI and rendering
happen on a single CPU leaving the 2nd CPU untapped. Though a dual-core CPU
custom built computer would not have any speed advantage, and if the game is
designed to support multiple processors then a dual-core custom built computer
would be beneficial.
Clock Speeds
One issue that
is also important is clock speeds. It is known that the higher the clock speed,
the faster the processor would be. Dual-core processors have turned things more
sophisticated. Since the dual-core processors are designed to fit in roughly
the same dimensions as a single core processor, speeds are not going to be equivalent.
Most of the dual-core
processors run at lower clock speeds when compared to single core processors.
The reason is that a dual-core processor with each running at 1GHz would be
equivalent to a single processor running at 2Ghz. The issue is that when the
applications are not written to take advantage of the multiple processors it
won’t be ideal. Unthreaded application would run faster on a single processor
than a dual-core processor.
Conclusions
Obviously, dual-core processors are beneficial for those custom built computer
users who mostly use software that is multithreaded. For a huge amount of people,
there is not any major benefit for dual-core processors over a sing core processor.
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