Computer Chips

COMPARATIVE ON INTEL PENTIUM D AND AMD ATHLON 64

INTRODUCTION

In recent years , there has been a rapid change in the architecture of microprocessors . The change can be attributed to the increasing need for processing power in to address not only basic word processing or computing needs , but to also utilize other work or functions - video games , graphics , and audio . This next generation leap in technology could be seen in dual core processors . A dual core CPU is a single silicon module that features not one , but two processors , caches and

controllers (Freeman

Industry giants Advanced Media Devices (AMD ) and Intel both adapted and further developed dual core chips to address the need for faster processing speed . Intel came up with Pentium D while competitor AMD introduced its Athlon 64 x2 series to the market (Freeman

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF DUAL CORE CPUs

Having two cores close to one another distributes cache operations more coherently and at much higher clock rates . Because of its design , the CPU will require lesser process control blocks that previous chips Power consumption is also less as compared to two single units coupled separately due to the proximity of the cores and the design of its silicon components (Cross

On the other hand , utilizing a dual-core processor extensively needed the existing operating system in to optimize the secondary resources . In addition , the integration of two cores requires a good thermal system to manage the processor . There is also a risk of underutilization , especially if the task uses low algorithms to process large batches of data (Cross

INTEL PENTIUM D

Introduced in the first quarter of 2005 , this line of processors are designed for users who need more range and significant performance improvement in handling multiple applications - i .e . streaming music while video editing . It was the first multicore processor that was announced in the market . Aside from being dual core units , the initial Pentium D models (840 , 830 and 820 ) also offered extended memory , 1MB Level 2 cache and clock speeds of 2 .80 up to 3 .20 GHz /800Mhz front bus (Freeman

Unlike the pricier Pentium Extreme Edition 840 , the Pentium D does not support hyper-threading and virtualization technology . It was designed to work with 945 , 955 , and 975 form motherboards and will not work with any other because of power constraints in its design . Motherboards with multiprocessor chipset support may support the processor provided the manufacturer issues a BIOS update (Freeman

The architecture and design of the Pentium D is similar to the costlier Pentium Extreme Edition 840 , another dual core CPU manufactured by Intel . Both chips incorporated two 90 Prescott nm process cores that was cast on a single die unit . What is interesting with utilizing dual cores is the interaction of data as it passes through the bus by using an arbitrary chip . The CPUs are duplicated , while also doubling the registers and execution components . Pentium D , specifically the 820 model also support 64-bit processing but can still...