The Need for Dual Core Desktop Processors:

Whether performing video editing functions, playing graphic intensive games or running multiple background tasks simultaneously, users today have high expectations for their PC's performance with little tolerance for degradation in this experience. For people who run multiple demanding applications simultaneously, Intel's new dual core processors are the preferred desktop processor for this usage model. Intel's dual-core processors provide two execution cores in one physical processor, both running at the same frequency, both cores share the same CPU packaging and the same interface with the chipset/memory.

These changes allow the platform to do more in less time, provide exceptional functionality and performance so consumers get the most productivity and enjoyment from their PCs when one or more people are running multiple applications at the same time. Imagine that a dual-core processor is like a four-lane highway — it can handle up to twice as many cars as its two-lane predecessor without making each car drive twice as fast. Similarly, with an Intel dual-core processor-based PC, people can perform multiple tasks such as downloading music and gaming simultaneously. In a technical nutshell, Intel believes multi-core processing will support several key capabilities that can enhance the user experience, including the number of PC tasks a user can do at one time, and the ability to do multiple bandwidth-intensive activities and increase the number of users utilizing the same PC at the same time.

Processor Family	Processor Number	ASI SKU	Clock Speed	Intel Product Code	Bus Speed	L2 Cache	HT	XD	EM64T	Enhanced Intel Speedstep Technology (EIST)
	840	37376	3.20 GHz	BX80547PG3600FT	800 MHz	2 x 1MB	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
	840	37375	3.20 GHz	BX80551PG3200FN	800 MHz	2 x 1MB	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
	830	37374	3.00 GHz	BX80551PG3000FN	800 MHz	2 x 1MB	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
	820	37373	2.80 GHz	BX80551PG2800FN	800 MHz	2 x 1MB	No	Yes	Yes	Yes

Understanding Multi-Core Processor Architecture & Difference to Hyper-Threading

Explained most simply, multi-core processor architecture entails silicon design engineers placing two or more processor “execution cores,” or computational engines, within a single processor. This multi-core processor plugs directly into a single processor socket, but the operating system perceives each of its execution cores as a discrete logical processor, with all the associated execution resources.

The idea behind this implementation of the chip’s internal architecture is in essence a “divide and conquer” strategy. In other words, by divvying up the computational work performed by the single processor execution core in traditional microprocessors and spreading it over multiple processor execution cores, a multi-core processor can perform more work within a given clock cycle. Thus, it is designed to deliver a better overall user experience. To enable this improvement, the software running on the platform must be written such that it can spread its workload across multiple execution cores. This functionality is called thread-level parallelism or “threading,” and applications and operating systems (such as Microsoft Windows XP) that are written to support it are referred to as “threaded” or “multi-threaded.”

A processor equipped with hardware thread-level parallelism can execute completely separate threads of code simultaneously. This can mean one thread running from an application and a second thread running from an operating system, or parallel threads running from within a single application. (Multimedia applications are especially conducive to thread-level parallelism because many of their operations can run in parallel.) As software developers continue to design more threaded applications that capitalize on this architecture, multi-core processors can be expected to provide new and innovative benefits for PC users, at home and at work. Multi-core capability can also enhance the user experience in multitasking environments, namely, where a number of foreground applications run concurrently with a number of background applications such as virus protection and security, wireless, management, compression, encryption and synchronization.

Like other hardware-enhanced threaded capabilities advanced at Intel, multi-core capability reflects a shift to parallel processing — a concept originally conceived in the supercomputing world. For example, Hyper-Threading (HT) Technology, introduced by Intel in 2002 enables processors to execute tasks in parallel by weaving together multiple “threads” in a single-core processor. But whereas HT Technology is limited to a single core’s using existing execution resources more efficiently to better enable threading, multi-core capability provides two or more complete sets of execution resources to increase overall compute throughput. As more multithreaded applications come to market, Intel dual-core processor-based PCs will be ready to deliver better computing experiences and will really shine.

As seen in the chart below, the top graphic shows that a Pentium D (Dual-Core processor without Hyper-threading) can process two threads concurrently in parallel (one by each processing core). The bottom graphic shows a Pentium Processor Extreme Edition (Dual-Core processor with Hyper-threading) can process 4 threads in parallel.