Evolution of Multi-Core Technology

Symmetrical Multi-Processing (SMP)

Since the first computer, there has been a demand for more computer capacity. Symmetrical multi-processing (SMP) has long been used to increase computing performance and efficiency by spreading computing loads across multiple processors. It is effective in multi-threaded environments where many tasks (threads) need to be handled simultaneously.

Design Challenges

As application performance demands grow, processor designers face a challenging issue: more computing capability can require more power – and more power means heat dissipation levels also need to be managed. Add to that the demand for computers to decrease in size – more servers in a rack, thinner and lighter laptops, reduced footprints for desktop systems – and the challenges increase.

The Multi-Core Solution

Multi-core processing helps address these challenges. The evolution of multi-core technology allows for increased performance and higher productivity.This enables smaller computers that can simultaneously run multiple complex applications and successfully complete more tasks in a shorter amount of time.

Multi-core processors enable true multitasking. On single-core systems, multitasking can max out CPU utilization, resulting in decreased performance as operations wait to be processed. On multi-core systems, each core has its own cache, providing the OS with resources to handle compute-intensive tasks in parallel.

Multi-core processors enable true multitasking. On single-core systems, multitasking can max out CPU utilization, resulting in decreased performance as operations wait to be processed. On multi-core systems, each core has its own cache, providing the OS with resources to handle compute-intensive tasks in parallel.

AMD's Multi-Core Roadmap

The dual-core processors first introduced in 2005 and the quad-core processors introduced in 2007 are just the beginning of AMD’s multi-core strategy.We continue to design new technologies that multiply the number of cores for a number of reasons.

Multi-core processors offer an immediate and cost-effective technology that can solve today’s processor design challenges – alleviating the by-products of heat and power consumption that accompany the continual advancement of processor frequency, or “clock speed.”

Multi-core design can offer enhanced overall system performance and a sophisticated platform to better address today’s more complex software environments.

New manufacturing processes enable AMD to develop processors that deliver sophisticated technology to customers who demand performance, flexibility, and value.

Current operating systems such as Windows Vista™, Windows Server 2008®, Linux, and Solaris are now capable of benefiting from multi-core processors.

Multi-core processors offer an ideal platform for enabling logical, incremental performance increases as market demands grow. Multi-core processors are just one part of AMD’s commitment to innovate for our customers.

Learn more about AMD Multi-Core Processors