What does it mean that a processor is Dual Core?

Answer 1

A dual-core CPU combines two independent processors and their respective caches and cache controllers onto a single silicon chip, or integrated circuit.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual_Core_Processors

-DJ Craig

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A dual core processor is a CPU with two separate cores on the same die, each with its own cache. It's the equivalent of getting two microprocessors in one.

In a single-core or traditional processor the CPU is fed strings of instructions it must order, execute, then selectively store in its cache for quick retrieval. When data outside the cache is required, it is retrieved through the system bus from random access memory (RAM) or from storage devices. Accessing these slows down performance to the maximum speed the bus, RAM or storage device will allow, which is far slower than the speed of the CPU. The situation is compounded when multi-tasking. In this case the processor must switch back and forth between two or more sets of data streams and programs. CPU resources are depleted and performance suffers.

Answer 2

A dual core processor has two CPUs on one die (chip). (Here's a picture of one...) http://www.amdboard.com/dual-core_90nm.jpg The picture above is all on one "chip" that is inserted into the motherboard. In the old dual CPU computers, there were physically two CPU chips in separate slots on the motherboard. Dual Core CPUs now take those two CPU chips, put then on one processor and require only one slot on the motherboard to use. Quad core works the same way, but there are four CPUs on one chip and still only requires one slot on the motherboard.

Answer 3

Duo (or Dual) core processors (CPU's) are physical processor die's that contain more than one (in this case, 2) physical cores. Each core is a separate processor in itself, but both are contained on a single die (chip).

There currently are many multi-core processors available today, and these physical cores can have multiple (currently 2) threads, which allows one core to act as 2 (multi-threading). So a CPU with 4 physical cores, with multi-threading on each core, can act the same as having 8 physical cores. An Intel i7 2600K is a good example of a multi-core, multi-threaded CPU if you would like to look it up to learn more about this.

Answer 4

A dual-core processor is essentially two processors integrated together. Siamese twins of the computer world. Currently very few programs are able to actually use both processors simultaneously so it wont give you a huge performance boost over a single core CPU of the same speed, but it is possible to run separate cpu-intensive applications on their own cores, therefore both would run much faster than on a single-core system.

There are also quad-core processors with 4, someday there will be 8, 16, 32 and so on.

Answer 5

In the never-ending race to increase microprocessor speed and power, a practical speed limit arose as circuitry got smaller and more compact. With current technologies, they just couldn't make a processor any more powerful and faster... until they came up with the idea of putting multiple processors into the same package (like two engines in the same car) thereby nearly doubling (/quadrupling) processing capacity.

These microprocessor assemblies with multiple processors in a single unit are referred to as "multi-core" processors. (dual-core; quad-core, etc.)

Answer 6

dual core processor means two processors which works together to do fast work as compared to single core processor.

Answer 7

is the processor with dual cores.

Answer 8

It as a processer with 2 cores