There is widespread confusion regarding the heterogeneous core configurations on different processors, to the point that differentiated technologies and concepts are confused with each other. That is why in this article we are going to explain the differences between the different configurations in a CPU, whether it is for a computer, a mobile phone or a video game console. So that you learn to differentiate them without problems.
We must start from the fact that all chips today are what are called heterogeneous processors since not all of their elements are symmetrical. For example, the fact of adding a GPU or graphics processor to the chip already means that all the processing blocks are not equal. Then we have to add the different support units and we finally have that the whole set is not symmetrical at all. However, for some time now, the concept of heterogeneous kernel configurations has been used to refer to those that execute the programs and the operating system, and, therefore, they are general purpose and not specific.
What are the configurations of heterogeneous nuclei?
That is why we must learn to differentiate between what are heterogeneous cores and a heterogeneous processor. For example, an Intel Core i9-11900K has 8 symmetrical and homogeneous cores, but it is a heterogeneous processor as it has elements such as an integrated graphics card. Instead, the i9-12900K features heterogeneous cores by combining P-Cores and E-Cores which are different general purpose processors.
So with heterogeneous cores we refer to it with a processor that uses different cores, but that can execute the same code. The difference can be motivated by two different reasons, although one is not exclusive of the other:
- Consumption: the best known is based on the fact that the simplest kernel consumes much less when executing programs. He does not have a working capacity like his older brothers, but he does his job more efficiently.
- Area: They are not designed to consume little, but they do take up little space and have a much higher performance per surface area than their counterparts. They are often designed for manufacturing processes that are either very expensive per mm² or have low yields per wafer on large chips.
The first category is seen more in mobile phones and very low consumption devices, the second type, on the other hand, is seen in PC processors, where consumption is not a problem, but the increasing cost of wafers forces us to have to reduce the size of processors if costs are to be maintained. That is, it serves to increase the number of cores beyond what would be normal.
No, it’s not BIG.little
A common mistake is to say that these configurations are BIG.little, which is a trademark of ARM Holdings to refer to their now deprecated heterogeneous switched core configurations, meaning they can’t use both at the same time and they activate and deactivate those of one type or another according to the workload. For a few years, ARM processors have used DynamIQ, which allows the use of both types of processor at the same time and is a method that has been adopted first by Intel and then by AMD in the world of computers.
