Gone are the days of single core processors that handled all the load of a heavy application. In the beginning of the millennium computer chip manufactures would make single core chips and implement a virtual core which would help it perform much more efficiently.
But as technology started advancing, applications also started becoming more resource intensive. Hence started the core war. Intel introduced the Pentium D chip which had 2 cores. This was a big hit even though there were loads of problems with the chip. To solve these problems Intel shifted to a smaller chip die which was the in the range of 60nm and introduced a new line of cpu. They were called the core2duo family. This was a massive hit with gamers and professionals as it provided the much needed number cruncher.
AMD followed in the footsteps of Intel and introduced their own line of 2 core processors. Now both the companies plan to introduce the next generation of quad core processors after the q series of processors. The core war has escalated even more with both the companies offering more physical cores on the same die. The phenom cores are the most recent ones from AMD while Intel is on the verge of releasing the Nehalem cores.
Looks like this war isn’t going to end anytime soon.
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