Multicore Processor Driving Forces

www.software.or.kr/.../2007/04/24/Multicore_trends_and_challanges_in_embedded_software_StephenLi.pdf

 

History(1970-2005)
- Processor performance increases were driven by increases in clock frequency from 1MHz to several GHz
- Transistors/processor increased from 2,300 in the i4004 to 1B+
- Processor power consumption increased with performance

 

Today
- Power constraints mean processor performance can no longer be driven by clock frequency increases
- Multicore architecture enables an increase in raw computer power within acceptable power limits
(Reducing the voltage leads to equal reduction in clock frequency, Power increases/decreases as voltage3)