Dual core processing

A dual-core processor is a CPU with two processors or "execution cores" in the

same integrated circuit. Each processor has its own cache and controller, which
enables it to function as efficiently as a single processor. However, because the two
processors are linked together, they can perform operations up to twice as fast as a
single processor can.
The Intel Core Duo, the AMD X2, and the dual-core PowerPC G5 are all examples of
CPUs that use dual-core technologies. These CPUs each combine two processor cores
on a single silicon chip. This is different than a "dual processor" configuration, in
which two physically separate CPUs work together. However, some high-end
machines, such as the PowerPC G5 Quad, use two separate dual-core processors
together, providing up to four times the performance of a single processor.
While a dual-core system has twice the processing power of a single-processor
machine, it does not always perform twice as fast. This is because the software
running on the machine may not be able to take full advantage or both processors.
Some operating systems and programs are optimized for multiprocessing, while others
are not. Though programs that have been optimized for multiple processors will run
especially fast on dual-core systems, most programs will see at least some benefit
from multiple processors as well.

quad-core processor


A quad-core processor is a chip with four independent units called cores that

read and execute central processing unit (CPU) instructions such as add,
move data, and branch.

Within the chip, each core operates in conjunction with other circuits such
as cache, memory management, and input/output (I/O) ports. The individual
cores in a quad-core processor can run multiple instructions at the same time,
increasing the overall speed for programs compatible with parallel processing.
Manufacturers typically integrate the cores onto a single semiconductor wafer,
or onto multiple semiconductor wafers within a single IC (integrated circuit)
package.

Although it's tempting to suppose that a quad-core processor would operate

twice as fast as a dual-core processor and four times as fast as a single-core
processor, things don't work out that simply. Results vary depending on the
habits of the computer user, the nature of the programs being run, and the
compatibility of the processor with other hardware in the system as a whole.
Some programs are just single-threaded in nature and don't speed up much
from multi core CPUs.

Quad-core and higher multi-core processor configurations have become

common for general-purpose computing, not only for PCs, where octal and
decacore are not uncommon, but for mobile devices such
as smartphones and tablets.