Single-core

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A single-core processor is a microprocessor with a single CPU on its die. [1] It performs the fetch-decode-execute cycle one at a time, as it only runs on one thread. A computer using a single core CPU is generally slower than a multi-core system.

Contents

Single core processors used to be widespread in desktop computers, but as applications demanded more processing power, the slower speed of single core systems became a detriment to performance. Windows supported single-core processors up until the release of Windows 11, where a dual-core processor is required. [2]

Single core processors are still in use in some niche circumstances. Some older legacy systems like those running antiquated operating systems (e.g. Windows 98) cannot gain any benefit from multi-core processors. Single core processors are also used in hobbyist computers like the Raspberry Pi and Single-board microcontrollers. The production of single-core desktop processors ended in 2013 with the Celeron G440, G460, G465 & G470. [3]

Development

The first single core processor was the Intel 4004, which was commercially released on November 15, 1971 by Intel. [4] Since then many improvements have been made to single core processors, going from the 740 kHz of the Intel 4004 to the 2 GHz Celeron G470. [5]

Advantages

Disadvantages

Increasing parallel trend

Related Research Articles

Processor design is a subfield of computer science and computer engineering (fabrication) that deals with creating a processor, a key component of computer hardware.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Microprocessor</span> Computer processor contained on an integrated-circuit chip

A microprocessor is a computer processor for which the data processing logic and control is included on a single integrated circuit (IC), or a small number of ICs. The microprocessor contains the arithmetic, logic, and control circuitry required to perform the functions of a computer's central processing unit (CPU). The IC is capable of interpreting and executing program instructions and performing arithmetic operations. The microprocessor is a multipurpose, clock-driven, register-based, digital integrated circuit that accepts binary data as input, processes it according to instructions stored in its memory, and provides results as output. Microprocessors contain both combinational logic and sequential digital logic, and operate on numbers and symbols represented in the binary number system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Microcontroller</span> Small computer on a single integrated circuit

A microcontroller or microcontroller unit (MCU) is a small computer on a single integrated circuit. A microcontroller contains one or more CPUs along with memory and programmable input/output peripherals. Program memory in the form of NOR flash, OTP ROM, or ferroelectric RAM is also often included on the chip, as well as a small amount of RAM. Microcontrollers are designed for embedded applications, in contrast to the microprocessors used in personal computers or other general-purpose applications consisting of various discrete chips.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Celeron</span> Line of discontinued microprocessors made by Intel

Celeron is a discontinued series of low-end IA-32 and x86-64 computer microprocessor models targeted at low-cost personal computers, manufactured by Intel. The first Celeron-branded CPU was introduced on April 15, 1998, and was based on the Pentium II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Intel 4004</span> 4-bit microprocessor

The Intel 4004 is a 4-bit central processing unit (CPU) released by Intel Corporation in 1971. Sold for US$60, it was the first commercially produced microprocessor, and the first in a long line of Intel CPUs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hyper-threading</span> Proprietary simultaneous multithreading implementation by Intel

Hyper-threading is Intel's proprietary simultaneous multithreading (SMT) implementation used to improve parallelization of computations performed on x86 microprocessors. It was introduced on Xeon server processors in February 2002 and on Pentium 4 desktop processors in November 2002. Since then, Intel has included this technology in Itanium, Atom, and Core 'i' Series CPUs, among others.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mobile processor</span> Processor found in mobile devices

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Socket 479</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Multi-core processor</span> Microprocessor with more than one processing unit

A multi-core processor (MCP) is a microprocessor on a single integrated circuit (IC) with two or more separate central processing units (CPUs), called cores to emphasize their multiplicity. Each core reads and executes program instructions, specifically ordinary CPU instructions. However, the MCP can run instructions on separate cores at the same time, increasing overall speed for programs that support multithreading or other parallel computing techniques. Manufacturers typically integrate the cores onto a single IC die, known as a chip multiprocessor (CMP), or onto multiple dies in a single chip package. As of 2024, the microprocessors used in almost all new personal computers are multi-core.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pentium</span> Brand of discontinued microprocessors produced by Intel

Pentium is a discontinued series of x86 architecture-compatible microprocessors produced by Intel. The original Pentium was first released on March 22, 1993. The name "Pentium" is originally derived from the Greek word pente (πεντε), meaning "five", a reference to the prior numeric naming convention of Intel's 80x86 processors (8086–80486), with the Latin ending -ium since the processor would otherwise have been named 80586 using that convention.

A memory controller, also known as memory chip controller (MCC) or a memory controller unit (MCU), is a digital circuit that manages the flow of data going to and from a computer's main memory. When a memory controller is integrated into another chip, such as an integral part of a microprocessor, it is usually called an integrated memory controller (IMC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of general-purpose CPUs</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGA 1366</span> CPU socket for Intel processors

LGA 1366, also known as Socket B, is an Intel CPU socket. This socket supersedes Intel's LGA 775 in the high-end and performance desktop segments. It also replaces the server-oriented LGA 771 in the entry level and is superseded itself by LGA 2011. This socket has 1,366 protruding pins which touch contact points on the underside of the processor (CPU) and accesses up to three channels of DDR3 memory via the processor's internal memory controller.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Merom (microprocessor)</span> Code name for various mobile Intel processors

Merom is the code name for various mobile Intel processors that are sold as Core 2 Duo, Core 2 Solo, Pentium Dual-Core and Celeron. It was the first mobile processor to be based on the Core microarchitecture, replacing the Enhanced Pentium M-based Yonah processor. Merom has the product code 80537, which is shared with Merom-2M and Merom-L that are very similar but have a smaller L2 cache. Merom-L has only one processor core and a different CPUID model. The desktop version of Merom is Conroe and the dual-socket server version is Woodcrest. Merom was manufactured in a 65 nanometer process, and was succeeded by Penryn, a 45 nm version of the Merom architecture. Together, Penryn and Merom represented the first 'tick-tock' in Intel's Tick-Tock manufacturing paradigm, in which Penryn was the 'tick' to Merom's 'tock'.

References

  1. "Single-core definition". Your Dictionary. LoveToKnow. Archived from the original on 15 November 2018. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  2. "Windows 11 Minimum Requirements". Find Windows 11 specs, features and computer requirements. Microsoft. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  3. "The last single core CPU..." Andy's Computers. 6 January 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  4. "Intel's First Microprocessor". The Story of the Intel 4004. Intel. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  5. "Intel Celerton Processor G470 Datasheet". Intel Celeron Processor G470. Intel. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  6. "How To Properly Balance Your Components". What is Bottlenecking?. Intel. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  7. Johnson, Ogundairo; Dinyo, Omosehinmi. "Comparative Analysis of Single-Core and Multi-Core Systems" (PDF). aircconline. International Journal of Computer Science & Information Technology. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  8. Yiu, Joseph; Johnson, Ian. "Multi-core microcontroller design with Cortex-M processors and CoreSight SoC" (PDF). ARM Community. arm.com. Retrieved 17 March 2022.