maths coprocessor's

[bazcor]

simple question really, does the quad CPU have four maths co-processor's? Or maybe they all share the same one?

Thanks for reading, look forward to any reply...

 

[Edrick]

Each core has its own FP unit. As far as I recall, its been that way since the i486DX days.

 

[jvroig]

Math co-processors have been extinct for a long time, when the 486 (486DX after the renaming) was introduced by Intel*. Instead, CPU's have their own FP units. If that is what you meant, then yes, a quad-core that you can buy today will indeed have 4 FP units, one per core.

*My memory may be hazy, but I believe it was around that time. I am almost sure the 386 still had no FP units, and there were 80387 coprocessors then.

 

[bigsnyder]

The DXs had the FPU, the i486SX did not (or non-functioning to be more technical). I guess the Pentium was really the first generation in which a functioning FPU was no longer optional, there were no "SX" parts anymore.

486 wiki entry

 

[bryanW1995]

the current quads are, for all intents and purposes, just like 4 single cores lumped together. they actually have some extra cache and a few other things to make them a bit better even.

however, amd's upcoming bulldozer cpu is going to start sharing more resources between cores. read this for more info.

 

[ModestGamer]

Math co-processors have been extinct for a long time, when the 486 (486DX after the renaming) was introduced by Intel*. Instead, CPU's have their own FP units. If that is what you meant, then yes, a quad-core that you can buy today will indeed have 4 FP units, one per core.

*My memory may be hazy, but I believe it was around that time. I am almost sure the 386 still had no FP units, and there were 80387 coprocessors then.

seriously ? you might wanna look at a GPU and try saying that with a straight face.

 

[Edrick]

seriously ? you might wanna look at a GPU and try saying that with a straight face.

Yea, but that is not what the OP was referring to. We assume he was talking about the old x87 math chips.

 

[BD231]

Coprocessor = sound, physx card, gpus, raid controllers, ect. The FPU is a part of the CPU so you can't really call it a coprocessor anymore.

 

[bigsnyder]

seriously ? you might wanna look at a GPU and try saying that with a straight face.

I'm also fairly certain the OP is referring to the old x87 chips (or a 68882 for you old Mac and Amiga fans). The optional FPU chips were referred to as "math co-processors". Yes a modern GPU is too, but I don't think about the GPU or anything else other than a FPU when I see the term "math co-processor". On die floating-point units were an expensive luxury back in the day.

 

[ModestGamer]

Yea, but that is not what the OP was referring to. We assume he was talking about the old x87 math chips.

I'm also fairly certain the OP is referring to the old x87 chips (or a 68882 for you old Mac and Amiga fans). The optional FPU chips were referred to as "math co-processors". Yes a modern GPU is too, but I don't think about the GPU or anything else other than a FPU when I see the term "math co-processor". On die floating-point units were an expensive luxury back in the day.

And ?

Any particular reason you feel the need to troll here? These folks are having a nice discussion here, no need for provocative posts.
Anandtech Moderator - Keysplayr

 

[bazcor]

hello all, and thanks for all the replies.

My original post was not very accurately presented, I did of course mean FPU not coprocessor as in the 486 SX system! But I am now sure from your replies that I have four FPUs in my trusty old Q 6600 powered computer.

Thanks again for your input.
... Barry

 

[Concillian]

This reminds me of the old local computer magazine I kept around for the ads.

One of the ads has math co-processors in them for like $400 each. LOL. $400 buys a little more these days.

 

[zephyrprime]

The answer is yes.

Also, the integrated FPU in a 486 acts just like the old math coprocessors did. So in a way, the modern FPU still acts just like an external math coprocessor if you are not running SSE floating point code because the instruction set architechture is the same in order to maintain compatibility.

 

[PricklyPete]

This reminds me of the old local computer magazine I kept around for the ads.

One of the ads has math co-processors in them for like $400 each. LOL. $400 buys a little more these days.

Yeah...I remember paying $300 for a stick of 4MB of ram for my Compaq that had the AMD 486 chip with no coprocessor...but oh did it make a huge difference...I was a speed demon with 8MB of ram. And $300 was a bargain (1994ish).

 

[Netopia]

Back to the original question:

At the moment, a Dual, Triple, Quad, Hex... CPU will have an FP unit per core. At the moment.

When AMD releases Bull Dozer, that particular setup will have a single FP that's shared between two Int units on each Bull Dozer module. That being the case, in the near future, there will be a twist on this entire thread!

Joe

 

[jvroig]

This thread is resolved. There is no more need for "answers" since post #11.

hello all, and thanks for all the replies.

My original post was not very accurately presented, I did of course mean FPU not coprocessor as in the 486 SX system! But I am now sure from your replies that I have four FPUs in my trusty old Q 6600 powered computer.

Thanks again for your input.
... Barry

 

[jihe]

My 386 runs a coprocessor emulator.....

 

[BD231]

Back to the original question:

At the moment, a Dual, Triple, Quad, Hex... CPU will have an FP unit per core. At the moment.

When AMD releases Bull Dozer, that particular setup will have a single FP that's shared between two Int units on each Bull Dozer module. That being the case, in the near future, there will be a twist on this entire thread!

Joe

One has to wonder if this type of FPU configuration would have to be coded for. :hmm: