← Years 7–8 Digital Systems

CPU cores

One processing unit inside a CPU. A dual-core, quad-core or octa-core CPU has 2, 4 or 8 cores, so it can work on separate tasks at the same time.

Part of: 7-8 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Digital Systems and Security — Module 5, IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 3.1 Computer Architecture — Module 26, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Hardware and Performance — Module 11

Understanding CPU cores in Years 7–8 Digital Systems

What it does: Dual means two, so a dual-core CPU has two cores that can work in parallel. A core is a processing unit inside the CPU. RAM slots are a separate part of the computer. The number in the name tells you how many cores there are: dual is 2, quad is 4, octa is 8.

Common mistakes: A quad-core CPU can work on as many tasks at once as it has cores. The line should be tasks_at_once <- cores, which gives 4. All tasks can run at the same time only when there are no more tasks than cores. The test should be tasks <= cores (6 <= 8).

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 4–19) and word search (Modules 4–74).

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Learning
Duo
A quad-core CPU has how many cores?
2 cores4 cores
Matches
A dual-core CPU has 4 cores
↓
Dual means 2, not 4. A dual-core CPU has 2 cores. A quad-core CPU has 4.
Applying
Meanings
Term
CPU core
Meaning
One processing unit inside a CPU. A dual-core, quad-core or octa-core CPU has 2, 4 or 8 cores, so it can work on separate tasks at the same time.
Practice
dual-core = 2 cores
Testing
Gaps
A is one processing unit in a CPU.
Check Answer
Spots
2cores <- 4
3tasks_at_once <- 1

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Quick Questions

1. A quad-core CPU has how many cores?
A. 2 cores
B. 4 cores ✓
Quad means four, so a quad-core CPU has 4 processing units. Dual-core has 2 and octa-core has 8.
2. What is a CPU core?
A. One processing unit inside a CPU ✓
B. A slot on the motherboard where RAM is plugged in
A core is a processing unit inside the CPU. RAM slots are a separate part of the computer.
3. Which CPU can work on the most separate tasks at the same time?
A. Dual-core
B. Octa-core ✓
An octa-core CPU has 8 cores, so it can handle more separate tasks at once than a dual-core CPU with 2 cores.
4. You stream music, browse the web and download a file all at once. Which CPU copes best?
A. A CPU with more cores, because each core can work on a different task ✓
B. A CPU with only one core, because it can do all tasks at exactly the same moment
More cores means more tasks can run in parallel. A single core handles one task at a time and has to switch between them.
5. A dual-core CPU is the same as a CPU with 2 GHz clock speed.
A. False: dual-core means 2 cores, while GHz measures clock speed ✓
B. True: dual means 2 and GHz also means 2
Cores and clock speed are different things. Dual-core is about the number of processing units, and GHz is about how fast each one works.

Match the Pairs

quad-core CPU → A CPU with 4 cores, so it can work on 4 separate tasks at the same time
octa-core CPU → A CPU with 8 cores, so it can handle even more tasks at once than a quad-core
A CPU with 2 cores that can run two separate tasks at the same time → dual-core CPU
Some programs are written to use only one core, so extra cores sit idle and do not speed them up → single-threaded program
A dual-core CPU has 4 cores → Dual means 2, not 4. A dual-core CPU has 2 cores. A quad-core CPU has 4.
More cores always make every program run faster → Programs that only use one core cannot use the extra cores, so they do not get faster.

Key Term

CPU core
One processing unit inside a CPU. A dual-core, quad-core or octa-core CPU has 2, 4 or 8 cores, so it can work on separate tasks at the same time.

Fill in the Blanks

1. A core is one processing unit in a CPU.
Hint: Type the word for one processing unit inside a CPU.
2. A quad-core CPU has 4 cores.
Hint: Type the number of cores that the prefix quad stands for.
3. octa-core CPU = 8 cores
Hint: Type the prefix used for a CPU with eight cores.
4. More cores can run tasks in parallel.
Hint: Type the word for tasks being worked on at the same time.
5. A single-threaded program uses one core.
Hint: Type how many cores a program that cannot split its work will use.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A cpu <- "quad-core"
B cores <- 4
C tasks_at_once <- 1
D print(tasks_at_once)
Line C — A quad-core CPU can work on as many tasks at once as it has cores. The line should be tasks_at_once <- cores, which gives 4.
Question 2
A cpu <- "octa-core"
B cores <- 8
C tasks <- 6
D IF tasks >= cores THEN
E print("All run at once")
F ENDIF
Line D — All tasks can run at the same time only when there are no more tasks than cores. The test should be tasks <= cores (6 <= 8).
Question 3
A cores <- 4
B cpu_name <- "dual-core"
C print(cpu_name + " " + cores)
Line A — A dual-core CPU has 2 cores, not 4. The line should be cores <- 2.
Question 4
A cores <- 2
B IF cores <= 1 THEN
C print("Tasks run together")
D ENDIF
Line B — Tasks can only run together (in parallel) when there are 2 or more cores. The test should be cores >= 2, otherwise the message never shows for a 2-core CPU.
Question 5
A program <- "old game"
B used <- 1
C cpu_cores <- 8
D idle <- cpu_cores + used
E print(idle)
Line D — Idle cores are the cores the program is NOT using, so you subtract. It should be idle <- cpu_cores - used, which gives 7.

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