You’re looking to purchase a new computer, and you notice that many models include a “dual-core” CPU. What is a significant feature of a dual-core CPU?
A) The CPU processes each instruction twice for added redundancy
B) A single processor chip contains two separate CPU cores
C) Two physical CPUs are integrated into the motherboard
D) The CPU is overclocked to twice its normal limit
The answer: B) A single processor chip contains two separate CPU cores
The personal computer consumer market has seen a great deal of growth in these dual-core and quad-core processors, and the trend is to continue the multi-core capabilities into the future.
The incorrect answers:
A) The CPU processes each instruction twice for added redundancy
There’s always room for redundancy, but a CPU processing the same instruction twice takes this idea to the extreme.
C) Two physical CPUs are integrated into the motherboard
This description is of a multi-CPU motherboard, not a dual-core CPU. Some high-end motherboards can take advantage of multiple dual-core CPUs, and it’s not usual to see four-cores or eight-cores on a single motherboard using multiple CPU chips.
D) The CPU is overclocked to twice its normal limit
The overclocking of a CPU is an interesting hobby, but it would be unusual to double the speed of a CPU simply by overclocking.
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Want to know more? Watch “Expansion Slots.” Modern technological advancements in CPU manufacturing have resulted in amazing increases in processing speed, but they’ve also introduced more complex computing architectures. In this module, we’ll discuss advanced features and technologies that have been integrated into today’s most popular CPUs. |