Multicore And Parallel Systems

Question 1

Multi core processor

Answer 1

Single chip containing two or more independent processing units
Each core can fetch, decode and execute its own instructions

Question 2

Performance of multi core processors

Answer 2

Further enhanced by:
On chip shared cache
Inter core communication

Question 3

Limitations of multi core

Answer 3

Double the number of cores does not mean double the performance
- overheads involved with inter core communication
- some programs can’t make maximum use of all cores
A multicore system should process multiple instructions faster than one with a single core

Question 4

Parallel processing

Answer 4

The processing of program instructions by dividing them between multiple processors or processor cores

Question 5

What does parallel processing depend on?

Answer 5

Software being able to take advantage of it

Question 6

Objective of parallel processing

Answer 6

Running a program in less time

Question 7

Limitations of parallel processing

Answer 7

Dependent on:
- the task being carried out
- if the software has been- or even can be- designed and written to make use of parallel processing