Tech Column: What will the new quad-core chips mean for you?
Brian Moser
Issue date: 2/1/07 Section: Features
- Page 1 of 1
Multiple processors on a microchip isn't a new idea. In fact, dual-core microchips (two processors on a microchip) have been on the market for almost two years. Intel released their quad-core microchip just a few months ago with their competitor AMD due to release their rendition of the quad-core in summer of 2007. What does this mean to you?
The average computer user is probably still using a single processor microchip, which isn't terrible. The bad part about a single processor is that people are running many more programs at once and the software industry switching over to multi-threaded applications. Therefore, the standard for computers will soon change to dual-core microchips.
First, multi-tasking is used more and more by the average computer user. The average college student uses a computer to do homework like writing papers, preparing presentations, and surfing the net for information. While students do their homework, they are often listening to music, chating online to friends or even classmates, or even doing multiple assignments at once.
Most computers can handle the simple multi-tasking like chatting, typing papers, or even playing music. However, I wouldn't trust a single processor to burn a CD and do other applications. It will probably work, but I have had bad experiences with programs that take up a lot of processor time.
That is where dual-core steps in. Dual-core, and likewise the quad-core microchips, can multi-task without worry. While one program is occupying one processor, another program can use the other processor. Therefore, the programs don't have to wait in just one line one line for processor time.
In addition, software companies have created new programs and new versions of programs that are multi-threaded, which means they are coded to use two or more processors. Most programs were previously coded for a single processor computer. Tthe new multi-threaded programs, like Adobe Premiere Pro 2.0, are coded to use both processors to reduce the time it takes to accomplish a task.
Most multi-threaded programs only utilize dual-core microchips, but with the growing trend of more processors on microchips, software companies might just write code to utilize all of the processors on the microchips.
As far as price goes, quad-core microchips are selling for $1000 or more, and computers with them are selling for many thousands more. With these high prices for the new bleeding edge hardware, dual-core will become much more affordable. In fact, I have seen computers with dual-core microchips on the Dell website selling for $500-$700, which is a great price for a computer with that kind of power.
If you are looking for a new computer in the future, remember to look for a dual-core microchip in the computer. Most of the industry is adapting to multiple processor chips and taking advantage of its computer power. The age of multiple processors is here.
The average computer user is probably still using a single processor microchip, which isn't terrible. The bad part about a single processor is that people are running many more programs at once and the software industry switching over to multi-threaded applications. Therefore, the standard for computers will soon change to dual-core microchips.
First, multi-tasking is used more and more by the average computer user. The average college student uses a computer to do homework like writing papers, preparing presentations, and surfing the net for information. While students do their homework, they are often listening to music, chating online to friends or even classmates, or even doing multiple assignments at once.
Most computers can handle the simple multi-tasking like chatting, typing papers, or even playing music. However, I wouldn't trust a single processor to burn a CD and do other applications. It will probably work, but I have had bad experiences with programs that take up a lot of processor time.
That is where dual-core steps in. Dual-core, and likewise the quad-core microchips, can multi-task without worry. While one program is occupying one processor, another program can use the other processor. Therefore, the programs don't have to wait in just one line one line for processor time.
In addition, software companies have created new programs and new versions of programs that are multi-threaded, which means they are coded to use two or more processors. Most programs were previously coded for a single processor computer. Tthe new multi-threaded programs, like Adobe Premiere Pro 2.0, are coded to use both processors to reduce the time it takes to accomplish a task.
Most multi-threaded programs only utilize dual-core microchips, but with the growing trend of more processors on microchips, software companies might just write code to utilize all of the processors on the microchips.
As far as price goes, quad-core microchips are selling for $1000 or more, and computers with them are selling for many thousands more. With these high prices for the new bleeding edge hardware, dual-core will become much more affordable. In fact, I have seen computers with dual-core microchips on the Dell website selling for $500-$700, which is a great price for a computer with that kind of power.
If you are looking for a new computer in the future, remember to look for a dual-core microchip in the computer. Most of the industry is adapting to multiple processor chips and taking advantage of its computer power. The age of multiple processors is here.
Be the first to comment on this story