Intel Dual Core Quad technology refers specifically to the Intel Core 2 Quad processor. Intel designed this processor to utilize four CPU cores to boost performance and system operation. It accomplishes this by using a multiple module system (MMS) to pair two sets of paired CPUs cast upon a single die to give it four total processing cores.

History

The dual core processor architecture was introduced to the Intel line of CPUs in 2006. Advancements in hyper-threading technology enabled chip manufacturers to split computer functions across processors, greatly enhancing the speed of system operation and the complexity of graphics.

Significance

Computer processors using a single core had reached their computing limits by the mid-2000s. The Intel Dual Core technology gave consumers access to powerful processors that greatly increased the capabilities of the average computer.

Performance

Computers using Intel Core 2 Quad processors are able to efficiently operate dozens of programs simultaneously and display complex graphical interfaces like those found in the latest releases of Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems.

Considerations

The primary concern when using multiple processors is cooling. Intel Core 2 Quad processors use far more electricity than single-core processors and, as a consequence, generate a great deal of heat. It is important when using these CPUs to have a high-performance cooling system with a highly conductive heatsink featuring multiple heat pipes and a fan that blows at 2,000 RPM or faster.

Future

Increasingly, software designers are taking advantage of the benefits offered by multi-core processors. The increasing sophistication of computer programs will soon necessitate having a multi-core processor like the Intel Core 2 Quad to ensure consistent and stable operation.

Source:

Intel Core 2 Quad Overview