The 1000 Core Processor

“Recently, there has been some discussion about a 1000 core
processor or as I like to call them many-core processors. Indeed, a
research group has proclaimed they have created a 1000 core
processor using an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). Such
discussions and research stunts are good as they generate ideas,
discussions and set milestones, or in this case Big Hairy Audacious
Goals (BHAGs). The reality of a 1000 core processor, however, is
going to take a huge fundamental (and probably painful) change in
the way computing is done.

“Surprisingly, the issue is not really how many cores you can
pack on a die. The issue is memory bandwidth. I have been around
long enough to know that anyone who promotes massively parallel
processors and does not include a discussion of memory bandwidth
probably, how should I say this politely, believes in Santa
Claus.”

Complete
Story