multi-core processor

Diagram of a generic dual-core processor with CPU-local level-1 caches and a shared, on-die level-2 cache The Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 was an early dual-core processor. An AMD Athlon X2 6400+ dual-core processor

A multi-core processor (MCP) is a microprocessor on a single integrated circuit (IC) with two or more separate central processing units (CPUs), called cores to emphasize their multiplicity (for example, dual-core or quad-core). Each core reads and executes program instructions, specifically ordinary CPU instructions (such as add, move data, and branch). However, the MCP can run instructions on separate cores at the same time, increasing overall speed for programs that support multithreading or other parallel computing techniques. Manufacturers typically integrate the cores onto a single IC die, known as a chip multiprocessor (CMP), or onto multiple dies in a single chip package. As of 2024, the microprocessors used in almost all new personal computers are multi-core.