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Processors, Cores and Sockets explained

Whiteboard Wednesday Episode 19: Processors, Cores and Sockets explained

Whiteboard Wednesday is me, a whiteboard and learning about all things IT Asset Management (ITAM), every Wednesday!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2za47jfph8


Please like, follow, subscribe to Whiteboard Wednesday updates, reach out on social media and say hello, and let me know what else you want explained on the whiteboard, and we’ll get it done!


Processors, Cores, Sockets – technical terms, but we need to be aware of them. If we’re managing assets in our environment. It’s relevant for hardware asset management. And it’s relevant for power-based licensing, we need to know the terms.  

What is a processor?

So, I’m sure you’ve all seen at some point in your life, a motherboard, which is the green card inside a computing device, might be a mobile phone or might be a large computer. This is the motherboard in which all the components of the computer are stuck in. Then you have the processor.  

One particular task or multitasking?

So, you have a microchip, it looks like a squished black spider. It’s physically stuck into the motherboard and what computing allows you to do with this chip as well is multitasking. So rather than this is like the processing power the brain of the computer, rather than it being all consumed with one particular task, it can multitask because you can have two brains within that one physical chip. 

What does all this mean?

What does all this mean? Well, this physical connection to the motherboard is called a socket. You could have multiple sockets, you could have multiple chips in the motherboard, especially for big servers, this is the processor and then these two are multitasking elements. These two have the ability to execute two things at once are called cores. So, in this instance, it’s a single socket with dual core. Technical terms, but these are things that you’re going to get thrown at you if you’re managing hardware assets or managing power based licensing. 

About Martin Thompson

Martin is owner and founder of The ITAM Review, an online resource for worldwide ITAM professionals. The ITAM Review is best known for its weekly newsletter of all the latest industry updates, LISA training platform, Excellence Awards and conferences in UK, USA and Australia.

Martin is also the founder of ITAM Forum, a not-for-profit trade body for the ITAM industry created to raise the profile of the profession and bring an organisational certification to market. On a voluntary basis Martin is a contributor to ISO WG21 which develops the ITAM International Standard ISO/IEC 19770.

He is also the author of the book "Practical ITAM - The essential guide for IT Asset Managers", a book that describes how to get started and make a difference in the field of IT Asset Management. In addition, Martin developed the PITAM training course and certification.

Prior to founding the ITAM Review in 2008 Martin worked for Centennial Software (Ivanti), Silicon Graphics, CA Technologies and Computer 2000 (Tech Data).

When not working, Martin likes to Ski, Hike, Motorbike and spend time with his young family.

Connect with Martin on LinkedIn.

One Comment

  1. Sekar S says:

    Well explained. thank you.

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