Knowra Multi-core processor Multi-core processor A single integrated circuit containing two or more independent processing cores that can execute instructions concurrently. Its cores share a chip while providing parallel execution resources.
CPU core : A processor unit that fetches and executes instructions, with its own execution resources and architectural state. Each core supplies an independent instruction-execution engine within the processor.
Instruction set architecture : The specification of instructions, registers, data types, and behavior visible to software on a processor. It defines the common programming interface that a processor’s cores implement.
Dennard scaling : A scaling principle predicting that transistor dimensions and voltage could shrink together while maintaining roughly constant power density. Its breakdown weakened the power-efficiency gains that had accompanied shrinking transistors.
Symmetric multiprocessing : A computer architecture in which multiple equivalent processors share memory and are managed by one operating system. Operating systems commonly treat cores as processors in a symmetric multiprocessing system.
Single-core processor : A processor with one processing core that executes one instruction stream at a time, apart from techniques such as multithreading. It provides the direct architectural contrast to multiple independent cores on one chip.
Cache coherence : A set of protocols that keeps cached copies of shared memory consistent across processors or cores. Cores can cache the same memory location, so coherence governs how updates become visible.
Thread (computing) : A sequence of program instructions that an operating system can schedule for execution. A core executes thread work; concurrent threads provide tasks that can occupy separate cores.
Dynamic frequency scaling : A technique that changes a processor’s clock frequency to balance performance, power, and heat. Frequency increases became constrained by power and thermal limits, encouraging parallel designs.
Graphics processing unit : A processor designed to perform many arithmetic operations in parallel, especially for graphics and data-parallel workloads. GPUs use many simpler execution units for parallel workloads, unlike general-purpose multi-core CPUs.
Multiprocessor system : A computer system containing two or more separate processor packages or chips. It achieves multiprocessing across chips rather than integrating cores on one circuit.
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