What are multi-core processors?
Multi-core processors feature discrete central processor units (CPUs), called
cores, with integrated cache and control logic. The first desktop systems with
dual-core processors appeared in 2005, helping deliver more processing power and
ending the obsession with ever-higher clock speeds, which was resulting in too
much heat being produced. Multi-core processors deliver more processing power
per watt.
Do multi-core processors affect what applications can run on the
desktop?
Current versions of Linux, Mac OS and Windows can recognise that the processor
they are running under has multiple cores. The applications running on top of
the operating system have to be capable of running multiple processes or
threads. A so-called multi-threaded application works with the operating system
to distribute these threads over the multiple cores available, allowing several
business applications to run simultaneously.
Further reading
Are enterprise applications ready for multi-core processors?
The problem with newer multi-core architectures is that some desktop
applications will have to be rewritten to take advantage of the increased core
count. Software houses may decide to postpone such endeavours until adoption of
desktop systems containing the new multi-core processors increases
significantly. This could turn out to be a Catch 22 situation, since uptake of
such systems may depend on the availability of applications written specifically
to address such processor architectures.
What multi-core desktop systems are available?
In October 2008, HP and Dell unveiled systems with the latest quad-core
processors from rivals AMD and Intel. Dell’s high-end PCs feature Intel’s Core
i7 processor (pictured), while rival HP said that its range of XW workstations
would use AMD’s Shanghai quad-core Opteron processor.
What is the future for multi-core desktops?
Processor core counts will rise inexorably for the foreseeable future. Intel is
already researching an 80-core prototype that it anticipates will deliver a
performance in excess of one teraflop – one million million floating point
operations.
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