What is the primary purpose of Symmetric Multiprocessing (SMP) in computing?

The primary purpose of Symmetric Multiprocessing (SMP) is to utilize multiple processors in conjunction with a single memory and operating system. In an SMP system, multiple processors share a common operating system and memory space, which enables them to work on tasks simultaneously and efficiently. This architecture improves performance by allowing for parallel processing, where different processors can execute multiple threads or processes at the same time rather than handling tasks sequentially.

This setup is particularly beneficial for applications that require high processing power, such as server environments and workloads that involve complex calculations or data processing. By leveraging SMP, systems can better handle multitasking and improve overall system responsiveness and throughput.

Other options mentioned revolve around different concepts; for instance, allowing multiple operating systems to run simultaneously pertains to virtualization rather than SMP. Enhancing graphical performance typically involves dedicated graphics processing units (GPUs), and minimizing power consumption is a concern within various hardware designs but is not the primary focus of SMP functionality.