What is a thread? (On a CPU)

[MadSupra354]

I've always wanted to know exactly what a thread is. How does a thread differ from a core? Answer in anyway you want, even if it's a link to a webpage that explains it

 

[Hopalong X]

Hyper threading.> Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology: Your Questions Answered - Intel® Software Network


Multi core> http://www.intel.com/support/processors/sb/CS-028846.htm?wapkw=(multi+core)

There are links to added info on the pages.
Mike

 

[MadSupra354]

Hyper threading.> Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology: Your Questions Answered - Intel® Software Network

So, it's like a core multiplier? What about standard threads; Not Hyper-Threading?

 

[Hopalong X]

One way action. I'll see if I can find more info.

I know there is more I read a bunch of it a few years ago.

Be back soon.

Hyper-threading - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Also a big list of articles.
how hyperthreading works - Google Search

How a CPU works articles.
http://www.google.com/search?q=how+...oft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=&oe=&rlz=1I7ADSA_en

 

[boohbah]

This is thread



this is a core



well you did say answer it however we want

 

[mjf]

I've always wanted to know exactly what a thread is. How does a thread differ from a core? Answer in anyway you want, even if it's a link to a webpage that explains it

I think this is an interesting question that I only have a rough idea about
It prompted me to try and learn a bit more.
After a bit of instant expert googling I think:

A thread is primarily a software concept - part of some code running in a time slice.
A core is the hardware element representing a CPU (dual core = 2 cpus)
When core is designed to specifically handle multiple threads you get what I think are hardware threads.

For an i7 you have 4 cores/CPUs. Each core has 2 hardware threads giving a total of 8 hardware threads.
on Processors, Cores and Hardware threads – Blogs - Intel® Software Network

Thread simple description:
Thread Definition
A bit more complicated:
Thread (computer science) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For Computer Science nuts:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...sg=AFQjCNFO6zeX5whpNeO0KpnXYbJcCQdt4g&cad=rja