Processor Concept

[shafe88]

Is it possible for a processor core to have 2 execution units. Like something similar to Hyper-threading, but each core has a special execution unit that consist of 2 regular execution unit. The special execution unit would allow the 2 regular execution units to emulate a single execution unit. When in emulation mode the 2 regular execution unit would work in unison to process 1 thread or when in regular mode each regular execution unit works independently to process 2 threads.

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=6fd603d6eca6ea958f217d4aca5abdac&prevstart=12

 

[Robi_g]

Sound good on the face of it, so as far as I understand, this would mean that single threaded applications would run as multi-threaded ones?
Take it to AMD, they like multiple cores and stuff.

 

[shafe88]

With an AMD module, a single thread application can only make use half of the module, where this design would allow a single thread application make use of the whole modual.

 

[FinneousPJ]

That's not a design, that's a picture with a couple of arrows.

 

[Robi_g]

there's nothing much we can do on this forum unless someone works for a processor company or has the money to start one.
Take your idea to ARM or Intel or AMD or Qualcom or some other place and see what they have to say about it.

 

[13thmonkey]

no, the whole point of multi core is to take advantage of parallelism in the code. If the code is single threaded then it cannot be split across two cores. the main reason for this is the heavy reliance of later stages of the code on earlier answers, hence being unable to be paralleled.

There was an april fools joke article about this a few years ago (pre core 2 duo I think).