Onnowpurbo: New page: '''Core 2''' is a brand encompassing a range of Intel's consumer 64-bit x86-64 single-, dual-, and quad-core CPUs based on the Intel Core microarchitecture. The single-...

2010-02-10T05:55:14Z

New page: '''Core 2''' is a brand encompassing a range of Intel's consumer 64-bit x86-64 single-, dual-, and quad-core CPUs based on the Intel Core microarchitecture. The single-...

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'''Core 2''' is a brand encompassing a range of [[Intel]]'s consumer [[64-bit]] [[x86-64]] single-, dual-, and quad-core [[CPU]]s based on the Intel [[Core microarchitecture]]. The single- and dual-core models are single-[[die (integrated circuit)|die]], whereas the quad-core models comprise two dies, each containing two cores, packaged in a [[multi-chip module]]. The introduction of Core 2 relegated the [[Pentium (brand)|Pentium]] brand to the [[Intel Pentium Dual-Core|mid-range market]], and reunified laptop and desktop CPU lines, which previously had been divided into the [[Pentium 4]], [[Pentium D]], and [[Pentium M]] brands.

The Core microarchitecture returned to lower [[clock rate|clock rates]] and improved the usage of both available clock cycles and power when compared with the preceding [[NetBurst]] microarchitecture of the [[Pentium 4]]/[[Pentium D|D]]-branded CPUs. The Core microarchitecture provides more efficient decoding stages, execution units, [[CPU cache|cache]]s, and [[Bus (computing)|buses]], reducing the [[power consumption]] of Core 2-branded CPUs while increasing their processing capacity. Intel's CPUs have varied wildly in power consumption according to clock rate, architecture, and semiconductor process, shown in the [[CPU power dissipation]] tables.

Core-based processors do not have [[Hyper-Threading|Hyper-Threading Technology]] found in Pentium 4 processors. This is because the Core microarchitecture is a descendant of the P6 microarchitecture used by Pentium Pro, Pentium II, Pentium III, and Pentium M. Core 2 also lacks an L3 Cache found in the Gallatin core of the Pentium 4 Extreme Edition, although an L3 Cache is present in high-end versions of Core-based Xeons and Hyper-Threading is present on select [[Intel Atom|Atom]] processors. Both an L3 cache and Hyper-threading is present in current Nehalem and future Westmere processors.

The ''Core 2'' brand was introduced on July 27, 2006, comprising the '''Solo''' (single-core), '''Duo''' ([[dual-core]]), '''Quad''' ([[quad-core]]), and in 2007, the '''Extreme''' (dual- or quad-core CPUs for enthusiasts) version. Intel Core 2 processors with [[Intel vPro|vPro]] technology (designed for businesses) include the dual-core and quad-core branches.

== Duo, Quad, and Extreme ==
The ''Core 2''-branded CPUs include: "Conroe"/"Allendale" (dual-core for desktops), "Merom" (dual-core for laptops), "Merom-L" (single-core for laptops), "Kentsfield" (quad-core for desktops), and the updated variants named "Wolfdale" (dual-core for desktops), "Penryn" (dual-core for laptops), and "Yorkfield" (quad-core for desktops). (Note: ''For the server and workstation "Woodcrest", "Tigerton", "Harpertown" and "Dunnington" CPUs see the [[Xeon]] brand''.)

The Core 2 branded processors featured the [[X86 virtualization|Virtualization Technology]] (with some exceptions), [[NX Bit|Execute Disable Bit]], and [[SSE3]]. Their [[Core microarchitecture]] introduced also [[SSSE3]], [[Trusted Execution Technology]], Enhanced [[SpeedStep]], and [[Intel Active Management Technology|Active Management Technology]] (iAMT2). With a [[thermal design power]] (TDP) of up to only 65 [[Watt|W]], the Core 2 dual-core [[#Conroe|Conroe]] consumed only half the power of less capable, but also dual-core [[Pentium D]]-branded desktop chips with a TDP of up to 130 W (a high TDP requires additional cooling that can be noisy and expensive).

{| border="1" cellpadding=2 style="border-collapse: collapse"
!colspan="8"|Intel Core 2 processor family
|-
!rowspan="2"|Original logo *
!rowspan="2"|New logo
!colspan="3"|[[Desktop computer|Desktop]]
!colspan="3"|[[Laptop]]
|-
!Code-named
!Core
!Date released
!Code-named
!Core
!Date released
|- style="background:white"
|[[Image:Intel Core 2 Duo.png|62px|Core 2 Duo logo]]
|[[Image:Intel Core2 Duo2009.svg|85px|Core 2 Duo logo as of 2009]]
|[[Conroe (microprocessor)#Conroe|Conroe]] [[Conroe (microprocessor)#Allendale|Allendale]] [[Wolfdale (microprocessor)|Wolfdale]]
|dual (65 nm) dual (65 nm) dual (45 nm)
|Aug 2006 Jan 2007 Jan 2008
|[[Merom (microprocessor)|Merom]] [[Penryn (microprocessor)|Penryn]]
|dual (65 nm) dual (45 nm)
|Jul 2006 Jan 2008
|- style="background:white"
|[[Image:Intel Core 2 Extreme.png|62px|Core 2 Extreme logo]]
|[[Image:Intel Core2 Ex2009.png|85px|Core 2 Extreme logo as of 2009]]
||[[Conroe (microprocessor)#Conroe XE|Conroe XE]] [[Kentsfield (microprocessor)#Kentsfield XE|Kentsfield XE]] [[Yorkfield (microprocessor)#Yorkfield XE|Yorkfield XE]]
|dual (65 nm) quad (65 nm) quad (45 nm)
|Jul 2006 Nov 2006 Nov 2007
|[[Merom (microprocessor)#Merom XE|Merom XE]] [[Penryn (microprocessor)#Penryn XE|Penryn XE]] [[Penryn (microprocessor)#Penryn QC|Penryn XE]]
|dual (65 nm) dual (45 nm) quad (45 nm)
|Jul 2007 Jan 2008 Aug 2008
|- style="background:white"
|[[Image:Intel Core 2 Quad.png|62px|Core 2 Quad logo]]
|[[Image:Intel Core2 Qu2009.png|85px|Core 2 Quad logo as of 2009]]
|[[Kentsfield (microprocessor)|Kentsfield]] [[Yorkfield (microprocessor)|Yorkfield]]
|quad (65 nm) quad (45 nm)
|Jan 2007 Mar 2008
|[[Penryn (microprocessor)|Penryn]]
|quad (45 nm)
|Aug 2008
|- style="background:white"
|[[Image:Intel Core 2 Solo.png|62px|Core 2 Solo brand logo]]
|align="center"|[[Image:Intel Core2 Solo2009.gif|78px|Core 2 Solo logo as of 2009]]
|colspan="3"|<center>Desktop version not available</center>
|[[Merom (microprocessor)#Merom-L|Merom-L]] [[Penryn (microprocessor)#Penryn|Penryn-3M]]
|Single (65 nm) Single (45 nm)
|Sep 2007 May 2008
|-
!colspan="8"|* Sort by initial date released '''[[List of Intel Core 2 microprocessors]]'''
|}

==Processor cores==
=== Conroe / Merom (65 nm) ===
The original Core 2 processors are based around the same dies that can be identified as [[CPUID]] Family 6 Model 15. Depending on their configuration and packaging, their code names are Conroe ([[LGA 775]], 4 MB L2 cache), Allendale (LGA 775, 2 MB L2 cache), Merom ([[Socket M]], 4 MB L2 cache) and Kentsfield ([[Multi-chip module]], LGA 775, 2x4MB L2 cache). Merom and Allendale processors with limited features can be found in [[Pentium Dual Core]] and [[Celeron]] processors,
while Conroe, Allendale and Kentsfield also are sold as [[Xeon]] processors.

Additional code names for processors based on this model are [[Xeon#5100-series "Woodcrest"|Woodcrest]] (LGA 771, 4 MB L2 cache), [[Xeon#5300-series "Clovertown"|Clovertown]] (MCM, LGA 771, 2x4MB L2 cache) and [[Xeon#7300-series "Tigerton"|Tigerton]] (MCM, [[Socket 604]], 2x4MB L2 cache), all of which are marketed only under the Xeon brand.

{| border="1" cellpadding=2 style="border-collapse: collapse"
! Codename (main article) !! Brand name (list) !! L2 Cache !! Socket || TDP
|-
! rowspan=5| [[Merom (microprocessor)|Merom]]
| [[List of Intel Core 2 microprocessors#"Merom-L" (ultra-low-voltage, 65 nm)|Mobile Core 2 Duo U7xxx]] || 2 MB || rowspan=2|BGA479 || 10 W
|-
| [[List of Intel Core 2 microprocessors#"Merom" (low-voltage, 65 nm)|Mobile Core 2 Duo L7xxx]] || 4 MB || 17 W
|-
| [[List of Intel Core 2 microprocessors#"Merom", "Merom-2M" (standard-voltage, 65 nm)|Mobile Core 2 Duo T5xxx]] || 2 MB || rowspan=3|[[Socket M]] [[Socket P]] BGA479 || rowspan=2|35 W
|-
| [[List of Intel Core 2 microprocessors#"Merom", "Merom-2M" (standard-voltage, 65 nm)|Mobile Core 2 Duo T7xxx]] || 2-4 MB
|-
| [[List of Intel Core 2 microprocessors#"Merom XE" (standard-voltage, 65 nm)|Mobile Core 2 Extreme X7xxx]] || 4 MB || 44 W
|-
! rowspan=3|[[Conroe (microprocessor)|Conroe and Allendale]]
| [[List of Intel Core 2 microprocessors#"Allendale" (65 nm)|Core 2 Duo E4xxx]] || 2 MB || rowspan=5 | [[LGA 775]] || rowspan=3|65 W
|-
| [[List of Intel Core 2 microprocessors#"Conroe" (65 nm)|Core 2 Duo E6xxx]] || 2-4 MB
|-
| [[List of Intel Core 2 microprocessors#"Conroe XE" (65 nm)|Core 2 Extreme X6xxx]] || 4MB
|-
! rowspan=2|[[Kentsfield (microprocessor)|Kentsfield]]
| [[List of Intel Core 2 microprocessors#"Kentsfield" (65 nm)|Core 2 Quad Q6xxx]] || rowspan=2|2x4 MB || 95-105 W
|-
| [[List of Intel Core 2 microprocessors#"Kentsfield XE" (65 nm)|Core 2 Extreme QX6xxx]] || 130 W
|}

=== Conroe-L / Merom-L ===

The Conroe-L and Merom-L processors are based around the same core as Conroe and Merom, but only contain a single core and 1 MB of L2 cache, significantly reducing production cost and power consumption of the processor at the expense of performance compared to the dual-core version. It is used only in ultra-low voltage Core 2 Solo U2xxx and in Celeron processors and is identified as CPUID family 6 model 22.

==== Merom-L ====

{| border="1" cellpadding=2 style="border-collapse: collapse"
! Codename (main article) !! Brand name (list) !! L2 Cache !! Socket !! TDP
|-
! [[Merom (microprocessor)#Merom-L|Merom]]
| [[List of Intel Core 2 microprocessors#"Merom-L" (ultra-low-voltage, 65 nm)|Core 2 Solo U2xxx]] || 1 MB || FCBGA || 5.5 W
|}

=== Penryn / Wolfdale (45 nm) ===

In Intel's [[Intel Tick-Tock|Tick-Tock]] cycle, the 2007/2008 "Tick" was the shrink of the Core microarchitecture to 45 nanometers as CPUID model 23. In Core 2 processors, it is used with the code names Penryn (Socket P), Wolfdale (LGA 775) and Yorkfield (MCM, LGA 775), some of which are also sold as Celeron, Pentium and Xeon processors. In the Xeon brand, the [[Xeon#5200-series "Wolfdale DP"|Wolfdale-DP]] and [[Xeon#5400-series "Harpertown"|Harpertown]] code names are used for LGA 771 based MCMs with two or four active Wolfdale cores.

The chips come in two sizes, with 6 MB and 3 MB L2 cache. The smaller version is commonly called Penryn-3M and Wolfdale-3M as well as Yorkfield-6M, respectively. The single-core version of Penryn, listed as Penryn-L here, is not a separate model like Merom-L but a version of the Penryn-3M model with only one active core.

{| border="1" cellpadding=2 style="border-collapse: collapse"
! Codename (main article) !! Brand name (list) !! L2 Cache !! Socket !! TDP
|-
! [[Penryn (microprocessor)#Penryn-L|Penryn-L]]
| [[List of Intel Core 2 microprocessors#"Penryn" (medium-voltage, 45 nm)|Mobile Core 2 Solo SU3xxx]] || 3 MB || rowspan=5|BGA956 || 5.5 W
|-
! rowspan=12|[[Penryn (microprocessor)|Penryn]]
| [[List of Intel Core 2 microprocessors#"Penryn-3M" (ultra-low-voltage, 45 nm, Small Form Factor)|Mobile Core 2 Duo SU7xxx]] || rowspan=2|3 MB || rowspan=2|10W
|-
| [[List of Intel Core 2 microprocessors#"Penryn-3M" (ultra-low-voltage, 45 nm, Small Form Factor)|Mobile Core 2 Duo SU9xxx]]
|-
| [[List of Intel Core 2 microprocessors#"Penryn" (low-voltage, 45 nm, Small Form Factor)|Mobile Core 2 Duo SL9xxx]] || rowspan=2|6 MB || 17 W
|-
| [[List of Intel Core 2 microprocessors#"Penryn" (medium-voltage, 45 nm, Small Form Factor)|Mobile Core 2 Duo SP9xxx]] || 25 W
|-
| [[List of Intel Core 2 microprocessors#"Penryn" (medium-voltage, 45 nm)|Mobile Core 2 Duo P7xxx]] || rowspan=2|3 MB || rowspan=6|[[Socket P]] FCBGA6 || rowspan=3|25 W
|-
| [[List of Intel Core 2 microprocessors#"Penryn" (medium-voltage, 45 nm)|Mobile Core 2 Duo P8xxx]]
|-
| [[List of Intel Core 2 microprocessors#"Penryn" (medium-voltage, 45 nm)|Mobile Core 2 Duo P9xxx]] || 6 MB
|-
| [[List of Intel Core 2 microprocessors#"Penryn" (standard-voltage, 45 nm)|Mobile Core 2 Duo T6xxx]] || 2 MB || rowspan=3|35 W
|-
| [[List of Intel Core 2 microprocessors#"Penryn" (standard-voltage, 45 nm)|Mobile Core 2 Duo T8xxx]] || 3 MB
|-
| [[List of Intel Core 2 microprocessors#"Penryn" (standard-voltage, 45 nm)|Mobile Core 2 Duo T9xxx]] || rowspan=2|6 MB
|-
| [[List of Intel Core 2 microprocessors#"Penryn XE" (standard-voltage, 45 nm)|Mobile Core 2 Extreme X9xxx]] || rowspan=2|Socket P || 44 W
|-
| [[List of Intel Core 2 microprocessors#"Penryn" (Apple iMac specific, 45 nm)|Mobile Core 2 Duo E8xxx]] || 6 MB || 35-55 W
|-
! rowspan=2|[[Penryn (microprocessor)#Penryn-QC|Penryn-QC]]
| [[List of Intel Core 2 microprocessors#"Penryn QC" (standard-voltage, 45 nm)|Mobile Core 2 Quad Q9xxx]] || 6-12 MB || rowspan=2|Socket P || rowspan=2|45 W
|-
| [[List of Intel Core 2 microprocessors#"Penryn QC XE" (standard-voltage, 45 nm)|Mobile Core 2 Extreme QX9xxx]] || 12 MB
|-
! rowspan=2|[[Wolfdale (microprocessor)|Wolfdale]]
| [[List of Intel Core 2 microprocessors#"Wolfdale-3M" (45 nm)|Core 2 Duo E7xxx]] || 3 MB || rowspan=5|[[LGA 775]] || rowspan=2|65 W
|-
| [[List of Intel Core 2 microprocessors#"Wolfdale" (45 nm)|Core 2 Duo E8xxx]] || 6 MB
|-
! rowspan=3|[[Yorkfield (microprocessor)|Yorkfield]]
| [[List of Intel Core 2 microprocessors#"Yorkfield" (45 nm)|Core 2 Quad Q8xxx]] || 2x2 MB || rowspan=2|65-95 W
|-
| [[List of Intel Core 2 microprocessors#"Yorkfield" (45 nm)|Core 2 Quad Q9xxx]] || 2x3-2x6 MB
|-
| [[List of Intel Core 2 microprocessors#"Yorkfield XE" (45 nm)|Core 2 Extreme QX9xxx]] || 2x6 MB || 130-150 W
|}

===Dunnington===
The [[Xeon#7400-series "Dunnington"|Xeon "Dunnington"]] processor (CPUID Family 6, model 30) is closely related to Wolfdale but comes with six cores and an on-chip L3 cache and is designed for servers with Socket 604, so it is not marketed as Core 2. It is mentioned here for completeness.

==Successors==
The successors to the ''Core 2'' brand are a set of [[Nehalem (microarchitecture)|Nehalem microarchitecture]] based processors called [[Intel Core#Core i3|Core i3]], [[Intel Core i5|i5]], [[Intel Core i7|i7]] and [[Intel Core#Core i9|i9]]. ''Core i7'' was officially launched on November 17, 2008 as a family of three quad-core processor desktop models, further models started appearing throughout 2009.

With the launch of 32 nm processors in the upcoming months, Intel has scheduled to discontinue some Atom, Celeron, Pentium, Core 2, and even Core i7 models. The Core 2 Extreme QX9775 will be phased out around Q3, 2009. The Core 2 Quad Q8200, Q8200S, Q9400, and Q9400S are scheduled to be discontinued in 2010. Intel may also rebadge some Core 2 processors in the E7xxx, E8xxx, Q8xxx, Q9xxx and Wolfdale series as Core i3 processors, together with new Core i3 processors using the 45 nm Nehalem microarchitecture.

==Pricing==
The pricing for various models of Core 2, at the time the processors were released, can be found in the [[list of Intel Core 2 microprocessors]]. It should be noted that these prices are what it costs system builders like [[Apple Inc.]], [[Dell]] and [[HP]] to stock Core 2 processors. There are no set [[suggested retail price|MSRP]]s for Core 2 CPUs in the retail channel — prices at retailers are usually very close to the aforementioned prices, but are dependent on what the supplier is charging to stock these CPUs and on supply and demand.

==Nomenclature and abbreviations==
With the release of the Core 2 processor, the abbreviation '''C2''' has come into common use, with its variants '''C2D''' (the present Core 2 Duo), and '''C2Q''', '''C2E''' to refer to the Core 2 Quad and Core 2 Extreme processors respectively. '''C2QX''' stands for the Extreme-Editions of the Quad (QX6700, QX6800, QX6850).

==See also==
* [[Comparison of Intel processors]]
* [[List of Intel Pentium Dual-Core microprocessors]]
* [[List of Intel Core 2 microprocessors]]
* [[List of future Intel microprocessors]]
* [[Intel Core]]
* [[CPU power dissipation]]
* [[Centrino]]
* [[Multi-core]]
* [[Engineering sample (CPU)]]

==External links==
* [http://binaryday.com/2009/01/15/difference-between-intel-core-2-duo-vs-intel-dual-core-vs-intel-pentium-d/ Intel Core 2 Duo and intel dual core differences]
* [http://developer.intel.com/products/processor_number/chart/core2duo.htm Intel Core 2 Duo Processor Numbers]
* [http://www.hothardware.com/Articles/Intel_Wolfdale_and_Yorkfield_Performance_Penryn/ Intel Penryn Architecture and Performance Preview]
* [http://www.intel.com/technology/itj/2006/volume10issue02/index.htm Intel Centrino Duo Mobile Technology papers]
* [http://www.asusreviews.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=6 Core 2 Duo Overclocking Guide]

===News reports on the Core 2 product launch===
* [http://www.intel.com/technology/architecture-silicon/core/ Intel Core Microarchitecture]
* [http://www.intel.com/pressroom/archive/releases/20060727comp.htm Intel's press release announcing Core 2]
* [http://www.intel.com/products/processor/core2/index.htm Intel's Core 2 page]
* [http://www.hothardware.com/Articles/Intel_Officially_Launches_45nm_Penryn_Family/ Intel Officially Launches 45nm Penryn Family]
* [http://www.techarp.com/showarticle.aspx?artno=454&pgno=0 Leaked Intel 45 nm Core 2 Desktop Processor Pre-Launch Update]
* [http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=2170 Announcing Intel Core 2 Duo]
* [http://news.com.com/The+second+coming+of+Intels+Core+Duo/2100-1006_3-6069307.html The second coming of Intel's Core Duo]
* [http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2007/08/20/intel_to_launch_nine_cpus_with_45nm/1 Intel to launch nine 45nm CPUs in November]

===Reviews===
* [http://www.hardcoreware.net/reviews/review-368-1.htm Core 2 Duo E8500 Review] Comparing the similarly priced E8500 (Wolfdale) and the E6750 (Conroe) it replaces
* [http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/intel-wolfdale.html Meet Intel Wolfdale: Core 2 Duo E8500, E8400 and E8200 Processors Review]
* [http://www.hothardware.com/Articles/Intel_Core_2_Extreme_QX9650__Yorkfield_Has_Landed/ Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 - Yorkfield Has Landed - Review]
* [http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/core2extreme-qx9650.html Second Iteration of Core Micro-Architecture (Penryn): Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 CPU Review]
* [http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=317 Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6700 quad-core CPU review]
* [http://www.hardcoreware.net/reviews/review-347-1.htm Core 2 Extreme (Kentsfield) Quad Core CPU Review]
* [http://www.hothardware.com/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=897&cid=1 Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6700 Quad Core - Launch Review]
* [http://www.hardwareinreview.com/processors/the_intel_core_2_duo_processor.html Review of E6700 model with info for Linux and BSD users]
* [http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2006/11/02/intel_core_2_extreme_qx6700/1.html Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6700 Quad Core]
* [http://www.hardcoreware.net/reviews/review-336-1.htm Core 2 Duo & Core 2 Extreme]
* [http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2006/07/14/intel_core_2_duo_processors/1.html Intel's Core 2 Duo processors]
* [http://hardware.gotfrag.com/portal/story/33492/ Core 2 Duo: A Changing of the Guards]
* [http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/core2duo-shootout.html Contemporary Dual-Core Desktop Processors Shootout] – X-bit Labs Core 2 Duo review
* [http://www.hothardware.com/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=845&cid=1 Core 2 Duo & Extreme Processors Performance Analysis] – Hot Hardware Core 2 Duo review
* [http://www.madshrimps.be/gotoartik.php?articID=470 Intel Core 2 Performance, Overclocking, Power Usage]
* [http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTEwOCwxLCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdA==Intel Core 2 Gaming Performance]
* [http://techreport.com/reviews/2006q3/core2/index.x?pg=1 Intel's Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Extreme processors]
* [http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2795 Intel's Core 2 Extreme & Core 2 Duo: The Empire Strikes Back]
* [http://www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=6184 Intel Conroe Core 2 Duo/Extreme Processors]
* [http://www.tomshardware.com/2006/07/14/core2_duo_knocks_out_athlon_64/ Game Over? Core 2 Duo Knocks Out Athlon 64] – Tom's Hardware Core 2 Duo review
* [http://www.behardware.com/articles/623-1/intel-core-2-duo-test.html Intel Core 2 Duo - Test]
* [http://www.tomshardware.com/2006/09/10/four_cores_on_the_rampage/ Intel's Core 2 Quadro Kentsfield: Four Cores on a Rampage] – Tom's Hardware Core 2 Quad review
* [http://www.techspot.com/review/36-intel-core2-quad-q6600/page1.html Core 2 Quad Q6600 Review]

Intel Core 2 - Revision history

Onnowpurbo: New page: '''Core 2''' is a brand encompassing a range of Intel's consumer 64-bit x86-64 single-, dual-, and quad-core CPUs based on the Intel Core microarchitecture. The single-...