Espressif Systems ESP Faq page 168

Chapter 5
Hardware related
5.1 Chip Comparison
5.1.1 What is the difference between ESP32 with a single core and ESP32 with dual cores
regarding programming method, feature performance, power consumption, and so
on?
Compared with the single-core chip, the dual-core chip has one more independent core, on which some
highly real-time operations can be supported in a better way.
• The two chips employ the same programming method except the following step only. For single-
core chip, you have to configure FreeRTOS to make it run on the first core. The configuration path
is make menuconfig > Component config > FreeRTOS > [*] Run FreeRTOS
only on first core. This step is not needed for the dual-core chip.
• The two chips have similar performance in most cases, except under high-load conditions, such as
AI algorithm and high real-time interrupts.
• The dual-core chip consumes a little more power than the single-core chip in Modem-sleep mode.
For more details, please refer to
5.1.2 What's the difference between ESP32 v3.0 and previous chip revisions in software
and hardware?
• For software usage, there is no difference. ESP32 v3.0 is compatible with old firmwares. For hardware, some
bugs have been fixed in ESP32 v3.0.
• For more information on design changes, please refer to
ESP32 Series Datasheet.
ESP32 Chip Revision v3.0 User Guide.
151