Multi-core processors: principles of operation

Five or six years ago, few knew about the introduction of multi-core processors, although these devices were already used in server systems. The assembly of the same elements of personal computers began in 2005.

What do multi-core processors give you in terms of improving your computer's performance?

The principle of increasing the capacity of the device due to the operation of several nuclei is the separation of the solution of problems. In a generalized form, we can say that any process running in the system has several threads. If several applications (processes) can work simultaneously, we are talking about multitasking, which is supported by the Windows operating system.

Multi-core processors allow to increase the speed of programs, although the principle of multitasking is realized on a single-core device. Thus, one core performs processing of textual information, the other - listening to music, while these applications work simultaneously.

If, for example, to take an antivirus program, then one thread will perform a memory and hard disk scan, and another will update the anti-virus database. The example is very simplified, but it allows us to understand the general concept of how multi-core processors work.

In a computer with a conventional device for simultaneous work of programs, a virtual possibility of their execution is created. Here, the operating system cunningly enters, it switches the work of threads alternately, everything happens in fractions of a second and is invisible to the user. It turns out that Windows has updated the antivirus a little bit, then started scanning, then started updating again. The user has the impression that everything happens at the same time.

In the case when a multi-core processor is running, such switching will not be performed. The operating system clearly sends streams to specific cores. As a result, it becomes possible to get rid of performance degradation, as in the case of switching between tasks. Running programs occurs simultaneously, as a result, updating the databases and scanning will be performed much faster. However, not every application supports this technology and can thus be optimized. Developers create more and more programs that can handle multi-core processors.

Today, the market for such devices is divided between AMD and Intel, which are leading manufacturers. Modern stationary computer, server systems, as well as laptops and smartphones for work use multi-core processors from Intel or AMD.

Even low-price category devices have at least two cores, although processors are produced with 4, 6, 8 or more elements. However, the full performance of devices can only be obtained if the entire system is balanced, the parameters of which must correspond to RAM, and the hard drive, and the video card, and other components of the computer.