What is the technical definition of a Dual Core?

Question

What is the technical definition of a Dual Core?

How exactly does a dual core computer work? Is each core rated at 2.0ish or is that the rating combined?

15" PowerBook, 1.67 ghz G4, Mac OS X (10.4.5), 1 gb RAM

Posted on Feb 23, 2006 5:28 PM

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Answer 1

Feb 23, 2006 5:40 PM in response to Jonathan Mcconnell1

The 2GHz rating is for each core.

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Answer 2

Jim R

Level 2

467 points

Feb 23, 2006 5:47 PM in response to Jonathan Mcconnell1

See this page on Apple's website:

http://www.apple.com/intel

Each processor is running at the the specified GHz. Instead of each processor being a separate chip, they are both on the same dye along with some other innovative design related to the cache, power consumption, etc.

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Answer 3

Feb 23, 2006 6:07 PM in response to Daffy_Duck

So how does that explanation compare to a dual core G5 powermac physically?

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Answer 4

Feb 23, 2006 6:39 PM in response to Jonathan Mcconnell1

some discussion of "what counts as multicore"?
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060109-5937.html

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Answer 5

Max Miles

Level 3

631 points

Feb 23, 2006 6:49 PM in response to Jonathan Mcconnell1

A dual core chip is basicly EXACTLY like a dual processor machine. With dual core, certain elements of the processors structure are shared across each chip. It's only technical innovation... a better machine.

iBook, Powermac G5 Mac OS X (10.4.3)

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