Multicore and parallel systems

Multicore and parallel systems

1. Multicore systems

   • Multi core systems have two or more CPUs working on the same chip
   • It is a type of architecture where a single physical processor contains the logic core of two or more processors
   • These processors are packaged into a single integrated circuit (IC)
   • Single integrated circuits are called a die. Multicore can also refer to multiple dies packaged together
   • Multicore enables the systems to perform more tasks with a greater overall sytem performance
   • Multicore technology can be used in: Desktops Mobile pcs Servers Workstations

2. Parallel systems

   • The simultaneous use of more than one CPU to execute a program
   • Ideally a program runs faster because there are more engines (CPUs) running it
   • In practice, it is often quite difficult to divide a program in such a way that separate CPUs can execute different portions without interferring with each other
   • Most computers have one CPU, but some models have several
   • with single-CPU computers it is possible to perform parallel processing by connecting the computers in a network
     • However this type of parallel processing requires very sophisticated software called distributed processing software