As technology keeps getting better and better, computing speed is in high demand nowadays as we expect our devices to keep up with our multitasking way of life. CPU performance plays the most significant role. However, many other factors come into play. Computer processors are a vital element that dictates whether you have a fast or slow running computer. While these processors consist of multiple cores and threads, does having a handful of them affect the performance? Keep on reading to find out.

The central processing unit or CPU in short is basically the heart of your computer. It lets you interact with your installed applications and carry out a certain set of tasks. The speed of your CPU holds a great deal of impact on your user experience. You might have heard CPUs having 4 Cores and 8 Threads, but what do they actually mean?

CPU Cores Versus Threads

Well, a core can be seen as a worker that executes a certain set of tasks given to it. A processor can have multiple cores and these are physically melded onto the chip itself. Having multiple cores is essential for both gaming and regular use as they are good at performing complex sets of tasks at any given time.

Threads on the other hand are the number of tasks that a CPU core can perform individually. Let’s say a processor has 4 Core and 4 Threads. What this means is the processor can perform 4 different tasks simultaneously where each core can do two sets of tasks. Though the threads keep switching from one task to another depending on the resources available to them.

Does Having More Cores Actually Boost Performance?

While it is pretty clear that having more cores with several threads ensures better multitasking performance, we are leaving a part of the equation, which is the clock speed. Processors having higher clock speed with low core and thread counts are ideal for single applications such as video rendering. On the contrary, more cores and threads will enable you to multitask more fluently. You can play games while running background apps like Discord or OBS in a multi-core and thread system comparably well.

“So that was all about the CPU core VS thread debate. Generally speaking, having more cores doesn’t always mean better performance. The preference depends entirely on the user’s purpose of use. If performing a single application is of priority, then going for a processor with a better clock speed will result in a better performance yield even if the core and thread counts are low. For multitaskers, however, getting a processor with more cores and threads is undoubtedly the prudent move.”