What is Dual Core Technology?

DualDual corecorecore technologytechnologytechnology refers to two individual microprocessors on a single die cast chip. This is essentially two computer processing units (CPUs) in one. The advantage of a dualdualdual corecorecore chip is that tasks can be carried out in parallel streams, decreasing processing time. This is referred to as thread-level parallelism (TLP).
TLP is also possible on motherboards that can accommodate two separate CPU dies. When TLP is accomplished in a single CPU through dualdualdual corecorecore technologytechnologytechnology, it is called chip-level multiprocessing (CLM).
In dualdualdual corecorecore CPUs, each microprocessor generally has its own on-board cache, known as Level 1 (L1) cache. L1 cache significantly improves system performance, because it is much faster to access on-chip cache than to use random access memory (RAM). L1 cache is accessed at microprocessor speeds.
DualDualDual corecorecore chips also commonly feature secondary shared cache on the CPU, known as Level 2 (L2) cache. Motherboards may also have a cache chip designated as Level 3 (L3) cache. While faster than RAM, L3 cache is slower than cache built into the dualdualdual corecorecore chip.
DualDualDual corecorecore technologytechnologytechnology has advantages over double-corecorecore or twin-corecorecore technologytechnologytechnology. These latter terms refer to two independent CPUs installed on the same motherboard. DualDualDual corecorecore chips take up less real estate on the motherboard, have greater cache coherency, and consume less power than two independent CPUs. However, dualdualdual corecorecore technologytechnologytechnology also has its drawbacks.
For software to take advantage of dualdualdual corecorecore architecture, it must be written to utilize parallel threading. Otherwise, the program functions in single-corecorecore mode, using just one data stream or one of the built-in microprocessors. Unfortunately, coding for TLP is quite intensive, as interleaving shared data can create errors and slow performance. Because of these and other issues, a dualdualdual corecorecore processor does not deliver twice the speed of a single-corecorecore processor, though there is a significant increase in performance under optimal conditions. Finally, dualdualdual corecorecore chips run hotter than their single-corecorecore cousins.
Whether a dualdualdual corecorecore processor is right for you will depend on what you plan to use your computer for. If the programs you regularly require are designed for TLP, then you may benefit greatly from a dualdualdual corecorecore chip. If not, you may be better served by a high-end single-corecorecore CPU.