A multicore processor has multiple processing units (cores) on a single chip. Each core of the processor performs different tasks. For example, if you are using WhatsApp on the mobile then one core is handling WhatsApp and other core of processor may be used for downloading a document at the same time.
A multicore processor works like a human. Suppose one human has one hand and another human has two hands. So one hand man can do less work than two hands man. Similarly, the single-core processor can do less work than a multi-core processor.
The multicore processor also depends upon the operating system used. Some operating systems cannot handle multicore processors which need more electricity. Suppose you have a very high-speed processor then it will ultimately use more electricity resulting in high laptop battery usage.
If you are playing high graphics game then it needs more processing power and more processing power means more electricity consumption so your laptop battery will vanish quickly.
Let me now discuss some of the pros and cons of multicore processors.
Advantages of multicore processors
- Multicore processors can complete more work than single-core processors.
- Works great for multi-threading applications.
- Can complete simultaneous work as low frequency.
- They can process more data than single-core processors.
- They can complete more work while consuming low energy as compared to the single-core processor.
- You can do complex works like scanning of the virus by anti-virus and watching a movie at the same time.
- As both cores of processors are on single-chip so computer cache takes advantage and data has not to travel longer.
- PCB (printed circuit board) needs less space incase of using multicore processors.
Disadvantages of multicore processors
- They are difficult to manage as compared to the single-core processor.
- They are costly than a single-core processor.
- Their speed is not twice than the normal processor.
- The performance of the multicore processor depends upon how the user uses the computer.
- They consume more electricity.
- These processors become hot while doing more work.
- If some process needs linear/sequential processing then the multicore processor needs to wait longer.
Examples of multicore processing
Multicore processors are used in the following fields:
- Powerful graphics solution
- Computer-aided design (CAD)
- Multimedia applications
- 3D gaming
- Video editing
- Database servers
- Encoding