The Real Question: How Do You Define Dual-Core?

I found this interesting piece on news.com pondering what actually defined a dual-core CPU. One version is more integrated and shares resoucres, while the other is more standalone by nature. Which got me thinking: maybe the next battle will move finally from CISC vs. RISC to what type of dual-core architechure is better. What do you think?

From the article:

“The definition of “dual-core processor,” however, is broad and ranges from a single chip in which the two integrated cores share resources to something that consists of two functionally and physically separate pieces of silicon that happen to be in the same package. Packaging, which protects the silicon and contains the metal bumps for carrying signals from the chip to the rest of the computer, is an integral part of a processor.

“Intel processors will span the spectrum. In Montecito, a dual-core Itanium chip, the two cores under the same roof will each have a dedicated memory cache for rapid data access. The two cores, however, will share a bus for shuttling data to the outside world, as well as other resources, such as an integrated component, code-named Foxton, for saving energy.

“By contrast, the Smithfield chip for desktops is more like a condominium. The two cores will come on the same piece of silicon but will largely function independently, according to sources familiar with the company’s plans. Until somewhat recently, Intel debated making Smithfield out of two separate pieces of silicon in one package, sources said. It is expected to run around 3GHz to 3.2GHz.

“This expected lack of intimacy between the cores in Smithfield is probably beneficial to Intel, according to analysts. It is likely one of the reasons the company was able to advance the commercial release of dual-core desktop chips from 2006 to the second quarter of 2005, several months ahead of the first desktop dual core from rival Advanced Micro Devices.

Consumers won’t experience a difference in performance between a highly integrated dual-core processor and two chips that simply share the same package. Nonetheless, a comparative lack of integration will reinvigorate the debate over whether Intel or AMD is further along in dual-core development.” Source: news.com