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I get questioned often about the difference between these terms and it can be confusing. Now that we are in the era of multi-core, let's explore common terminology. What is the difference between a processor, CPU, a chip, a core and a socket? And how is threading different?

Processor / CPU: This is what Intel makes and OEMs design into their systems.
Processors and CPUs are sometimes referred to as CHIPs
Sockets: The physical location on the system board where the processor/CPU goes. Sockets are increasingly used to describe a servers capability. A 4S (4 socket) server supports up to 4 CPUs inside. Sometimes this might also described as to as 4w (wayness) or 4P (processor) server.
Cores: The number physical processing units contained within the processor. There can be one, two, four or more ...
Threads: Some Intel processors support multi-threading technology. This is simply the ability to run more than one software thread on a core (Single threaded means one stream of software per core at a time) (Multi-threaded means more than one stream of software is executed in parallel)
So ... Processor, CPU, Socket, and Chips are terms that are often used interchangeably. Cores and Threads are both features inside the processor. Was this helpful to you ? Let me know. Chris

Tags: xeon, server, servers, multi-core, dual-core, core, itanium, processor, threads, product, chipset, platform, system, workstation, form_factor
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Feb 22, 2008 8:30 PM Reply Guest Kevin Farnham

This is an issue that is relevant to the open source project I work on, Threading Building Blocks. Thanks for the clear, concise explanation!

Feb 23, 2008 2:58 AM Reply Guest sreekanth

Can you please add "Platform" and "chipset" to this list?

Feb 23, 2008 9:26 AM Reply Guest JMA

This was useful, but how about an explanation when cores are better than processors. For example, is it better to have 2 processors with 2 cores or one processor with 4?

Feb 24, 2008 7:35 PM Reply Click to view C_Peters's profile C_Peters in response to: sreekanth

Sure – great add! The processor does all your computational calculations. The chipset is attached to the processor and manages information and data flow from the processor to the other system components like memory and other I/O (input / output) devices. If the processor is the “brain”, then the chipset is the “heart”. Memory and I/O devices are like “arms” and “legs” – you need them all working together. The term chipset, memory controller, and memory controller hub (MCH) are often used interchangeably

At Intel, we refer to the platform as the combination of all of these devices that comprise a server. However, I have also seen platform refer to the software stack, as well as the complete hardware and software solution together. From a hardware perspective, I see the following terms used interchangeably: platform, solution, system, server, workstation, and there are probably others I’m missing.

One other term that you may also here is form factor. Form factor refers to the size and shape of the final system you would buy from a manufacturer. The most common server form factors are rack mount, pedestal, towers and blades.

Chris

Feb 25, 2008 5:05 PM Reply Click to view C_Peters's profile C_Peters in response to: JMA

JMA, I am travelling this week in Asia meeting with customers and partners. This topic is closely related to the discussions I'm having. When I return next week I will post a new blog in response to your question. Thanks.

Mar 8, 2008 12:58 AM Reply Click to view C_Peters's profile C_Peters in response to: JMA

JMA - busy week - sorry for the delay. while I'd like to give you a scientific single answer, the reality is "it depends".

If an application (example: file/print) does not stress the CPU, memory or I/O much, then a single 4 core processor is going to give you plenty of performance - and will be lower cost than a two socket dual-core server.

However, a more demanding application (example: high performance compute application) that thrives on bandwidth will typically favor a 2 socket dual core since there are 2 high speed (today 1333MHz each) feeding the cores. This is 2x the bandwidth compared to the quad-core single socket server (only one FSB)

Performance of other applications (example: database application) scale with memory and I/O, independent of the number of cores. A 2 socket server will offer more memory (and I/O) capacity and bandwidth for than a 1 socket server, therefore offering better performance, value and headroom.

The final consideration to your question is a question back to everyone: "If you have an application that scales well with # of cores (and most do) ... Why wouldn't you consider 2 socket quad-core?" Intel's 2 socket quad-core processors (Xeon 5400 series) today are offered at the same price as dual-core, so there is no additional cost for 8 cores (2 x 4) than for 4 cores (2 x 2), just more performance.