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A multicore CPU can process more than one thread at a time; this is called parallel processing. Through parallel processing, the CPU can more readily juggle the demands of both applications and Windows, making the overall computing experience better. With multithreaded applications (programs written to take advantage of multiple CPUs or CPUs with multiple cores), this parallel processing can dramatically improve the performance of those applications.

Pentium D

Intel won the race for first dual-core processor with the Pentium D line of processors (Figure 5-53). The Pentium D is simply two late-generation Pentium 4s molded onto the same chip, with each CPU using its own cache—although they do share the same front-side bus. One very interesting aspect to the Pentium D is the licensing of AMD’s AMD64 extensions—the “smarts” inside AMD CPUs that enable AMD CPUs to run either 64- or 32-bit code. Intel named their version EM64T. There are two codenames for Pentium D processors: the Smithfield (model numbers 8xx), using a 90-nm process, and the Presler (model numbers 9xx), using a 65-nm process. Pentium Ds use the same LGA 775 package seen on the later Pentium 4s.

Figure 5-53 Pentium D (photo courtesy of Intel)

Athlon Dual Cores

AMD’s introduction to dual core came with the Athlon 64 X2 CPUs. The X2s are truly two separate cores that share L1 caches, unlike the Intel Pentium D. Athlon 64 X2s initially came in both “regular” and FX versions packaged in the well-known AMD Socket 939. To upgrade from a regular Athlon 64 to an Athlon 64 X2, assuming you have a Socket 939 motherboard, is often as easy as simply doing a minor motherboard update, called flashing the BIOS. Chapter 7, “BIOS and CMOS,” goes through this process in detail, or you can simply check your motherboard manufacturer’s Web site for the information on the process. In 2006, AMD announced the Socket AM2, designed to replace the Socket 939 across the Athlon line.

Intel Core

Intel introduced the Intel Core CPUs in 2006. Intel then followed up with the Core 2 processors, the first generation of CPUs to use the Intel Core architecture. Are you confused yet? Let’s look a little closer at the Core and Core 2 CPUs.

Intel Core

Intel based the first generation of core processors, simply called Core, on the 32-bit-only Pentium M platform. Like the Pentium M, Core processors don’t use the NetBurst architecture, instead falling back to a more Pentium Pro–style architecture (codenamed Yonah) with a 12-stage pipeline. Core CPUs come in single- (Solo) and dual-core (Duo) versions, but they all use the same 478-pin FCPGA package. Core also dispenses with the three-digit Pentium numbering system, using instead a letter followed by four numbers, such as T2300.

Intel Core 2

With the Core 2 line of processors (Figure 5-54), Intel released a radically revised processor architecture called Core. Redesigned to maximize efficiency, the Core 2 processors offer up to 40 percent in energy savings at the same performance level compared to the Pentium D processors. To achieve the efficiency, Intel cranked up the cache size (to 2 or 4 MB) and went with a wide, short pipeline. The CPU can perform multiple actions in a single clock cycle and, in the process, run circles around the competition.

Figure 5-54 Intel Core 2 CPU

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NOTE Intel’s naming conventions can leave a lot to be desired. Note that the Core Solo and Core Duo processors were based on the Pentium M architecture. The Core 2 processors are based on the Core architecture.

Intel released three Core 2 versions for the desktop: the Core 2 Solo, Core 2 Duo, and Core 2 Quad. Intel has also released an enthusiast version named the Core 2 Extreme that comes in both Duo and Quad configurations. The Core 2 line also includes mobile versions. All versions incorporate AMD’s 64-bit technology, rebranding it as Intel 64, so they can run 64-bit versions of Windows natively.

AMD Phenom

To achieve a quad-core processor, AMD took a different approach than Intel.