Short for symmetric multiprocessing, SMP is processing that is performed by multiple processors sharing the same motherboard, memory, operating system, and storage.

SMP systems usually have two CPUs, but may have more. The Linux kernel supports a theoretical maximum of 255 CPUs.

Beginning in the 2000s, CPU designs have trended toward adding cores to CPUs to increase parallel performance, rather than increasing the number of CPUs in a computer system.

Cluster, Computer acronyms, CPU terms, MPP, MSCS

  • CPU help and support.