HP 124708-001 1850 Introduction Manual - Page 11

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Two-core technology

Single-core processors that run multi-threaded applications become less cost effective with each

increase in frequency. This is because the multiple threads compete for available compute resources,

which limits the increase in performance at higher frequencies. Increasing the CPU core frequency not

only delivers lower incremental performance gains, but also increases power requirements and heat

generation. These factors create significant barriers for single-core architectures to keep pace with the

growing needs of data centers.

To address the performance, power, and cooling complexities, Intel announced its first two-core

processor architecture in 2005. A two-core processor is a single physical package that contains two,

full processor cores per socket. The two cores have their own functional execution units and cache

hierarchy (L1 and L2); however, the OS recognizes each execution core as an independent

processor.

Figure 6 illustrates the difference between single-core and two-core processors with HT Technology. In

the case of the single-core processor, HT Technology allows the OS to schedule two threads on the

core by treating it as two separate "logical" processors with a shared 2-MB L2 cache. The two-core

processor builds on HT Technology with two execution cores. Each core has its own 2-MB L2 cache

and separate interface to an 800-MHz front side bus. The two-core architecture runs two threads on

each execution core, allowing the processor to run up to four threads simultaneously. The second

core's additional capacity reduces competition for processor resources and increases processor

utilization. Thus, the performance improvement of a two-core processor is in addition to the

improvement due to HT Technology.

A two-core processor has better performance-per-watt than a single-core processor running at a higher

frequency. This is analogous to the way a wide pipe, by virtue of its volume, can carry more water

than a smaller pipe with a higher flow rate. Likewise, the two-core architecture is designed to make

processors perform more efficiently at lower frequencies (and lower power consumption levels). The

two-core processor allows a better balance between performance and power requirements. It was the

first step in multi-core processor technology.

Figure 6. Implementation of Hyper-Threading Technology on single processor core (left) and two-core processor

(right)