Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Cores refer to the individual processing units within a processor. Each core can independently execute instructions, allowing for parallel processing and increased performance.
Processors are electronic circuits that execute instructions and perform calculations. They consist of multiple cores working together to process data efficiently.
Threads: Threads are sequences of instructions that can be executed independently by a core. Multiple threads can run concurrently on different cores, improving multitasking capabilities.
Multicore Processing: Multicore processing refers to the use of multiple cores in a single processor. It allows for better utilization of resources and improved performance compared to single-core processors.