A Level Computer Science OCR Practice Exam

How is a multi-core processor defined?

1. A single core CPU

2. A CPU with integrated graphics

3. A component with two or more independent CPUs

4. A processor with a single instruction set

The correct answer is: A component with two or more independent CPUs

A multi-core processor is defined as having two or more independent processing units, or cores, within a single CPU package. Each core can independently execute instructions, allowing multiple processes to run simultaneously and improving overall performance, particularly for multitasking and parallel processing tasks. This architecture enables better efficiency and throughput, as different cores can handle various tasks or threads concurrently, making it particularly beneficial for applications that are designed to utilize multiple cores. The other definitions do not accurately capture the essence of a multi-core processor. A single core CPU refers to a processor with only one core and thus does not benefit from the advantages of multiple cores. A CPU with integrated graphics does not necessarily imply that it has multiple cores; it simply means that the processing unit includes graphics capabilities alongside traditional CPU functions. Lastly, a processor with a single instruction set does not relate specifically to the number of cores and can apply to both single-core and multi-core processors alike. Therefore, the correct definition is specifically about the presence of two or more independent cores.