Core 2 Duo brand logo

Core 2 Extreme brand logo

Core 2 is an eighth-generation x86 architecture microprocessor produced by Intel based on an all-new CPU architecture called the Intel Core Microarchitecture, which is the successor of NetBurst microarchitecture that has powered most Intel processors since 2000. Core 2 also marks the retirement of Intel's Pentium brand name that has been used from 1993 and the reunion of Intel's notebook and desktop product lines since Pentium M was released apart from Pentium 4 in 2003. Image File history File links Intel_Core_2_Duo. ... Image File history File links Intel_Core_2_Duo. ... Image File history File links Intel_Core_2_Extreme. ... Image File history File links Intel_Core_2_Extreme. ... x86 or 80x86 is the generic name of a microprocessor architecture first developed and manufactured by Intel. ... Microprocessors, including an Intel 80486DX2 and an Intel 80386. ... Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC, SEHK: 4335), founded in 1968 as Integrated Electronics Corporation, is an American multinational corporation that is best known for designing and manufacturing microprocessors and specialized integrated circuits. ... CPU redirects here. ... The Intel Core Microarchitecture is Intels new processor architecture. ... The NetBurst Microarchitecture is the name given to the new architecture that succeded the P6 microarchitecture in the x86 family of CPUs made by Intel. ... Introduced in March 2003, the Pentium M is an x86 architecture microprocessor designed and manufactured by Intel. ... New Intel Pentium 4 with Hyper Threading logo The Pentium 4 is a seventh-generation x86 architecture microprocessor produced by Intel and is their first all-new CPU design, called the NetBurst architecture, since the Pentium Pro of 1995. ...

The first wave of Core 2 processors was officially released on July 27, 2006. Like the Intel Core processors that they supersede, the Core 2 brand is subdivided into Solo (single core) and Duo (dual core) models, plus an Extreme designation carried over from the Pentium Extreme Edition. The first generation of Core 2 products all have been dual core, with future plans for single and quad core varieties. July 27 is the 208th day (209th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 157 days remaining. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Intel Core is the name used for the processor code named Yonah (Hebrew transliteration for Jonah - יונה), released on January 5, 2006. ... Pentium Extreme Edition brand logo // Smithfield Pentium Extreme Edition is the brand name given to a series of Intel microprocessors introduced during the 2nd Quarter 2005 Intel Developers Forum, not to be confused with the Pentium 4 Extreme Edition (an earlier, single-core processor occupying the same niche). ...

Unlike NetBurst-based processors, such as the Pentium 4 and Pentium D, Core 2 does not stress designs based on extremely high clock speeds but rather improvements on other CPU features, including cache efficiency and number of cores. The power consumption of these processors is much lower than the Pentium desktop line of products. With a TDP of only 65W, Core 2 has the lowest power consumption of any desktop chip this generation, beating out both Prescott's TDP of 130W and San Diego's TDP of 89W. Pentium D logo as of 2006. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Clock signal. ... Look up cache in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The Thermal Design Power (TDP) represents the maximum amount of power the thermal solution in a computer system is required to dissipate. ... New Intel Pentium 4 with Hyper Threading logo The Pentium 4 is a seventh-generation x86 architecture microprocessor produced by Intel and is their first all-new CPU design, called the NetBurst architecture, since the Pentium Pro of 1995. ... The Athlon 64 is an eighth-generation, AMD64 architecture microprocessor produced by AMD, released on September 23, 2003[1]. It is the third processor to bear the name Athlon, and the immediate successor to the Athlon XP[2]. The second processor (after the Opteron) to implement AMD64 architecture and the...

Intel Core 2 processors feature EM64T (an implementation of AMD64), Virtualization Technology, Execute Disable Bit, and SSSE3. The release also introduced LaGrande Technology, Enhanced SpeedStep Technology, and Active Management Technology (iAMT2). Extended Memory 64-bit Technology (EM64T) is Intels implementation of AMD64, a 64-bit extension to the IA-32 architecture. ... AMD64 Logo AMD64 (also x86-64 or x64) is a 64-bit microprocessor architecture and corresponding instruction set designed by Advanced Micro Devices. ... x86 virtualization is the method by which the x86 processor architecture is virtualized. ... NX stands for No eXecute. ... Supplemental Streaming SIMD Extension 3 (SSSE3)[1] is Intels name for the SSE instruction sets fourth iteration, as they appear to consider it merely a revision of SSE3. ... LaGrande Technology is a key component of Intels initiative of safer computing, aimed at giving user, especially in the business segment, a way to defend themselves against software-based attacks aimed at stealing sensitive information. ... SpeedStepâ„¢ is a series of technologies (including SpeedStep, SpeedStep II, and SpeedStep III) built into some Intel processors. ...

Current processor cores

Conroe

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 "Conroe"

This article is about Intel processors branded as "Intel Core 2". For more information on the microarchitecture used in Intel Core 2 microprocessors, see Intel Core Microarchitecture.

The first Intel Core 2 Duo processor cores, codenamed Conroe and "Allendale", were launched on 27 July 2006. These processors are built on a 65 nm process and are intended for desktops, replacing the Pentium 4 and Pentium D. Intel has claimed that Conroe provides 40% more performance at 40% less power compared to the Pentium D. Allendale and Conroe Core 2 Duo processors differ in the size of their L2 cache. Allendale contains 2 MB L2 cache, while Conroe has 4 MB L2 cache. The Intel Core Microarchitecture is Intels new processor architecture. ... July 27 is the 208th day (209th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 157 days remaining. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The 65 nanometer (65 nm) process is (as of 2006) the most advanced lithographic node for volume semiconductor manufacturing, however it will soon be eclipsed when 45 nanometer lithography becomes commercially viable. ... New Intel Pentium 4 with Hyper Threading logo The Pentium 4 is a seventh-generation x86 architecture microprocessor produced by Intel and is their first all-new CPU design, called the NetBurst architecture, since the Pentium Pro of 1995. ... Pentium D logo as of 2006. ...

The Conroe processors are labeled as the E6600 and E6700 Core 2 Duo models, with the E6600 clocked at 2.4 GHz and the E6700 clocked at 2.67 GHz. The family has a 1066 MT/s front side bus, 4 MB shared L2 cache, and 65 watts TDP. These processors have been tested against AMD's current top performing processors, which were, until this latest Intel release, the fastest CPUs available, and the vanilla Conroe boasts much faster performance.^[1] Overclocking results show that the E6700 and E6600 are stable when overclocked to 4 GHz, despite having locked multipliers.^[2] Megatransfer is a term used in computer technology, referring to a number of data transfers (or operations). ... In computers, the front side bus (FSB) is a term for the physical bi-directional data bus that carries all electronic signal information between the central processing unit (CPU) and other devices within the system such as random access memory (RAM), the system BIOS, AGP video cards, PCI expansion cards... The Thermal Design Power (TDP) represents the maximum amount of power the thermal solution in a computer system is required to dissipate. ... Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. ... The CPU multiplier is one way for processors to run much faster than the clock speed that the motherboard or RAM allows. ...

At launch time, Intel's prices for the Core 2 Duo E6600 and E6700 processors were $316 USD and $530 USD each in quantities of 1000. The United States dollar is the official currency of the United States. ...

Conroe XE

The top-of-the-line Core 2 Extreme was officially released on July 27, 2006. However some retailers appear to have released it on July 13, 2006, albeit at a high premium. The less powerful E6x00 models of Core 2 Duo were scheduled for simultaneous release with the X6800, which are both available at this time, though in limited quantities. It is powered by the Conroe XE core and replaces the Pentium 4 Extreme Edition and the dual-core Pentium Extreme Edition processors. Core 2 Extreme has a clock speed of 2.93 GHz and a 1066 MT/s FSB, although it was initially expected to achieve 3.33 GHz and 1333 MT/s. The TDP for this family is 75-80 Watts. At full load the X6800 does not exceed 45°C, and with SpeedStep enabled the average temperature of the CPU when idle is 25°C.^[3] July 27 is the 208th day (209th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 157 days remaining. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Insert non-formatted text here July 13 is the 194th day (195th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 171 days remaining. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Thermal Design Power (TDP) represents the maximum amount of power the thermal solution in a computer system is required to dissipate. ... SpeedStepâ„¢ is a series of technologies (including SpeedStep, SpeedStep II, and SpeedStep III) built into some Intel processors. ...

At launch time, Intel's price for the Core 2 Extreme X6800 was $999 USD each in quantities of 1000. Like the desktop Core 2 Duo, it has 4 MB of shared L2 cache available. This means that the only major difference between the regular Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Extreme is the clock speed, which is unusual for the "Extreme Edition." It does come with an unlocked multiplier, however, allowing it to basically simulate any E6x00 with 4 MB of L2 cache. This also allows it to gain a better overclocking ability than the other Core 2 processors, with up to a 14X multiplier. Intel's previous Extreme Editions all included a unique feature, such as an increased FSB, more L2 cache, or addition of L3 cache.

Benchmarking tests in multimedia and gaming have shown that the X6800 can lead the best AMD processor by up to 40% in performance. Overclocking proves more promising, as Intel allows the user to change the multiplier number. The X6800 has shown the ability to be overclocked to 3.4 GHz on Intel's stock cooler with no increase in voltage to the system components.

Allendale

Allendale is a codename for stripped down versions of the Conroe processors with only 2MB of L2 cache. The E6300 (1.86GHz) and E6400 (2.13GHz), both with a 1066MT/s FSB, were released on July 27, 2006. Traditionally, CPUs of the same family with less cache simply have the unavailable cache disabled, but this is not the case with Allendale. Allendale actually has a smaller die, which results in less heat production and a higher overclock. Some Allendale CPUs have been shown to overclock better than Conroe CPUs because of the smaller die size and lower temperatures. At launch time, Intel's prices for the Core 2 Duo E6300 and E6400 processors were $183 USD and $224 USD each in quantities of 1000. July 27 is the 208th day (209th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 157 days remaining. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The United States dollar is the official currency of the United States. ...

Merom

Merom, the first mobile version of the Core 2, was officially released on July 27, 2006 but quietly began shipping to PC manufacturers in mid-July alongside Conroe.^[4][5] Merom is Intel's premier line of mobile processors, with largely the same features as Conroe but with more emphasis on low power consumption to enhance notebook battery life. Intel has claimed that Merom will provide 20% more performance yet maintain the same battery life as the Yonah-based Core Duo. Merom will be the first Intel mobile processor to feature EM64T 64-bit extensions. July 27 is the 208th day (209th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 157 days remaining. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Intel Core. ... Extended Memory 64-bit Technology (EM64T) is Intels implementation of AMD64, a 64-bit extension to the IA-32 architecture. ...

Intel has stated that the first version of Merom is drop-in compatible with the current Core Duo platform, requiring at most a BIOS update. It has the same thermal envelope and the same 667 MT/s bus rate.^[6]

The Merom processors are labeled as the "T5x00" and "T7x00" Core 2 Duo models, with the T5500 clocked at 1.66 GHz, the T5600 clocked at 1.83 GHz, the T7200 clocked at 2.0 GHz, the T7400 clocked at 2.16 GHz, and the T7600 clocked at 2.33 GHz. The T5x00 models come with 2 MB of shared L2 cache, and the T7x00 models come with 4 MB of shared L2 cache.

See Also

List of laptops using Core 2 Duo

Future processors

This section contains information about scheduled or expected future products. It may contain unverified or unreliable information, and may not reflect the final version of the product.

Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Shortcut: WP:-( Vandalism is indisputable bad-faith addition, deletion, or change to content, made in a deliberate attempt to compromise the integrity of the encyclopedia. ...

Conroe XE

By the end of 2006 Intel plans to introduce the Core 2 Extreme X6900, which is slated to clock at 3.2 GHz, while keeping the same FSB speed, L2 cache size, socket, and TDP.

According to leaked info, Intel is to release another Conroe XE in the 4th quarter of 2006, model X8000 with 3.33GHz and 1333MHz FSB QDR.

Kentsfield

Kentsfield is the codename for the first quad-core version of the Conroe processor. The new Core 2 Extreme will arrive with a clock speed of 2.67 GHz, more L2 cache and substantially higher power consumption. Kentsfield will be the next Core 2 Extreme processor. Unlike AMD's 4x4 (which is two dual-core dies connected with a Hypertransport bus), Kentsfield will be a one socket solution, with two E6700 chips connected together by a 1066 MHz FSB on one MCM, resulting in lower costs but less bandwidth to the northbridge. It is expected to be released in the Fourth Quarter of 2006. HyperTransport logo HyperTransport (HT), formerly known as Lightning Data Transport (LDT), is a bidirectional serial/parallel high-bandwidth, low-latency computer bus. ... ...

Allendale

An E4300 Allendale (1.8GHz, 800MT/s FSB) will be released in the 1st quarter of 2007.

Merom

Low voltage versions of Merom for use in systems such as subnotebooks are scheduled to begin shipping in Q1 2007, with the ultra-low voltage U7500 arriving in Q2 2007.^[7] As of August 2006, pricing had not been announced. A subnotebook (also known as a kneetop or an ultraportable) is an extremely small and lightweight portable computer, with all features of a standard laptop computer and running all its applications. ...

A second wave of Merom processors featuring an 800 MT/s FSB and using the new Socket P is expected to launch in April 2007. ^[8] These chips will be part of the platform codenamed Santa Rosa.^[9] Low voltage versions are also planned for release in the same timeframe. The Intel Socket P is the next processor socket replacement for the new Intel Core 2 Chips. ... Centrino is a platform marketing initiative from Intel for a particular combination of CPU, mainboard chipset and wireless network interface in the design of a laptop personal computer. ...

Conroe-L

Intel will offer a low-cost single-core version of Conroe, code-named "Conroe-L", starting from the second quarter 2007, according to an article on DailyTech^[10]. The article doesn't indicate what name the chips will have, but "Intel Core 2 Solo", along the lines of "Intel Core 2 Duo", is a possibility.

System requirements

Conroe, Conroe XE and Allendale

Conroe, Conroe XE and Allendale use Socket LGA775; however, not every motherboard is compatible with these products. Supporting chipsets are Intel's: 865PE, 945P/PL/G, 955X, 975X, P/G/Q965, Q963, 946GZ/PL (Note that 865PE support 800MHz FSB QDR while the processors are using 1066MHz FSB QDR); ATI's Radeon Xpress 200, RD600 and RS600; NVidia's nForce 4 SLI Intel Edition and nForce 570/590 Intel Edition; and VIA's PT880/PT880 Ultra, PT890, PM880 and PM890. Socket T, also known as LGA 775, is Intels latest CPU socket. ... A8N VM CSM, Asuss Flagship MicroATX motherboard An old Octek Jaguar V mainboard with an AMD 386DX-40 processor. ... A chipset is a group of integrated circuits (chips) that are designed to work together, and are usually marketed as a single product. ... Ati Radeon 200 Logo The Xpress 200 is a computer chipset released by ATi. ...

Although a motherboard may have the required chipset to support Conroe, many motherboards based on the above mentioned chipsets do not support Conroe. This is because all Conroe-based processors require a newer voltage regulator module (VRM), named VRM 11. This requirement is a result of Conroe's significantly lower power consumption, compared to the Pentium 4/D CPUs it is replacing. A motherboard that has both a supporting chipset and VRM 11 supports Conroe processors, but even then some boards will need an updated BIOS to recognize Conroe's FID (Family ID) and VID (Voltage ID). It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Voltage regulator. ... Phoenix AwardBIOS on a standard PC BIOS, in computing, stands for Basic Input/Output System or Basic Integrated Operating System. ...

DDR2 Memory Modules

Unlike the previous Pentium 4 and Pentium D design, the Core 2 technology sees a greater benefit from memory running synchronous with the Front Side Bus (FSB). This means that for the Conroe CPUs with FSB of 1066Mhz (4x266Mhz) the ideal memory speed is PC2-4200. In some configurations, using PC2-5300 can actually decrease performance. Only when going to PC2-6400 is there a significant performance increase. While expensive DDR2 memory models with tighter timings do improve performance, the difference in real world games and applications is negligible.^[11] New Intel Pentium 4 with Hyper Threading logo The Pentium 4 is a seventh-generation x86 architecture microprocessor produced by Intel and is their first all-new CPU design, called the NetBurst architecture, since the Pentium Pro of 1995. ... Pentium D logo as of 2006. ... Synchronization is coordination with respect to time. ... In computers, the front side bus (FSB) is a term for the physical bi-directional data bus that carries all electronic signal information between the central processing unit (CPU) and other devices within the system such as random access memory (RAM), the system BIOS, AGP video cards, PCI expansion cards... DDR2 SDRAM or double-data-rate two synchronous dynamic random access memory is a computer memory technology. ... DDR2 SDRAM or double-data-rate two synchronous dynamic random access memory is a computer memory technology. ... DDR2 SDRAM or double-data-rate two synchronous dynamic random access memory is a computer memory technology. ...

Pricing

Core 2's pricing in lots of 1000 to OEMs is as follows (all prices in USD): To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The United States dollar is the official currency of the United States. ...

• X6800 - $999
• E6700 - $530
• E6600 - $316
• E6400 - $224
• E6300 - $183

• T7600 - $637
• T7400 - $423
• T7200 - $294
• T5600 - $241
• T5500 - $209

It should be noted that these prices are what it costs system builders such as Dell and HP to stock Core 2 processors. There are no set MSRPs for Core 2 CPUs in the retail channel - prices at retailers average $30-$50 higher than the above mentioned prices, but are dependent on what the supplier is charging to stock these CPUs. Dells, see Dell (disambiguation) Dell Inc. ... ...

See also

• List of Intel Core 2 microprocessors
• Intel Core

Core 2 Duo brand logo Core 2 Extreme brand logo The Core 2 microprocessor from Intel is an eighth-generation dual-core CPU targeted at the consumer market. ... Intel Core is the name used for the processor code named Yonah (Hebrew transliteration for Jonah - יונה), released on January 5, 2006. ...

References

2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... July 17 is the 198th day (199th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 167 days remaining. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... July 28 is the 209th day (210th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 156 days remaining. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... July 17 is the 198th day (199th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 167 days remaining. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... July 21 is the 202nd day (203rd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 163 days remaining. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... July 21 is the 202nd day (203rd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 163 days remaining. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... July 17 is the 198th day (199th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 167 days remaining. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... August 15 is the 227th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (228th in leap years), with 138 days remaining. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... July 17 is the 198th day (199th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 167 days remaining. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... July 17 is the 198th day (199th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 167 days remaining. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... August 12 is the 224th day of the year (225th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... August 1 is the 213th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (214th in leap years), with 152 days remaining. ...

External links

News reports on the Core 2 product launch:

• Intel Core Microarchitecture
• Intel's press release announcing Core 2
• Intel's Core 2 page
• Announcing Intel Core 2 Duo
• The second coming of Intel's Core Duo

Selection of Core 2 Reviews (see the full list of 50 reviews here):

• Contemporary Dual-Core Desktop Processors Shootout
• Core 2 Duo & Extreme Processors Performance Analysis
• Intel Core 2 Performance, Overclocking, Power Usage
• Intel Core 2 Gaming Performance
• Intel's Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Extreme processors
• Intel's Core 2 Extreme & Core 2 Duo: The Empire Strikes Back
• Intel Conroe Core 2 Duo/Extreme Processors
• Game Over? Core 2 Duo Knocks Out Athlon 64
• Intel Core 2 Duo - Test
• Intel Core 2 Duo- Which Offers the Best Bang for the Buck?