Intel Core 2 is a processor family encompassing a range of Intel's mainstream 64-bit x86-64 single-, dual-, and quad-core microprocessors based on the Core microarchitecture. The single- and dual-core models are single-die, whereas the quad-core models comprise two dies, each containing two cores, packaged in a multi-chip module.[2] The Core 2 range is the last flagship range of Intel desktop processors to use a front-side bus (FSB).
 Intel Core 2 Duo logo from 2009 to 2012 | |
| General information | |
|---|---|
| Launched | July 26, 2006 |
| Discontinued | June 8, 2012[1] |
| Marketed by | Intel |
| Designed by | Intel |
| Common manufacturer |
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| Performance | |
| Max. CPU clock rate | 1.06 GHz to 3.5 GHz |
| FSB speeds | 533 MT/s to 1.6 GT/s |
| Data width | 64 bits |
| Address width | 36 bits |
| Virtual address width | 48 bits |
| Cache | |
| L1 cache | 64 KB per core (32 KB data + 32 KB instructions) |
| L2 cache | Up to 12 MB |
| Architecture and classification | |
| Application | Desktop Mobile |
| Technology node | 65 nm to 45 nm |
| Microarchitecture | Core: Merom (65 nm) Penryn (45 nm) |
| Instruction set | x86-64 |
| Instructions | MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1 |
| Physical specifications | |
| Transistors |
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| Cores |
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| Packages |
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| Sockets |
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| Products, models, variants | |
| Core names |
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| Product code names |
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| Models |
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| Variant | |
| History | |
| Predecessors | Pentium D (desktop) Intel Core Solo/Duo (mobile) |
| Successor | Core i3/i5/i7 |
| Support status | |
| Unsupported | |
The introduction of Core 2 relegated the Pentium brand to the mid-range market, and reunified laptop and desktop CPU lines for marketing purposes under the same product name, which were formerly divided into the Pentium 4, Pentium D, and Core Solo/Duo brands.
The Core 2 processor line was introduced on July 27, 2006,[3] comprising the Duo (dual-core) and Extreme (dual- or quad-core CPUs for enthusiasts), and in 2007, the Quad (quad-core) and Solo (single-core) sub-brands.[4] Intel Core 2 processors with vPro technology (designed for businesses) include the dual-core and quad-core branches.[5]
Although Woodcrest processors are also based on the Core 2 architecture, they are available under the Xeon brand. From December 2006, all Core 2 processors were manufactured from 300-millimeter plates at Fab 12 factory in Arizona and at Fab 24-2 in County Kildare, Ireland.
Virtual machine or virtualization abilities
editCore 2 and other LGA 775 processors can support virtualization if the virtual machine (VM) software supports those processors, e.g. if the processor supports VT-x.
Newer versions of VM software do not support processors older than Nehalem (Core 2 and older), as they lack support for VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT), also called Second Level Address Translation (SLAT).
Models
edit
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), Penryn-QC (quad-core for laptops), and Yorkfield (quad-core for desktops).[a]
The Core 2-branded processors feature Virtualization Technology without extended page tables (EPT) (with some exceptions), the NX bit and SSE3. The Merom microarchitecture introduced SSSE3, Trusted Execution Technology, Enhanced SpeedStep and Active Management Technology 2.0 (iAMT2). The Penryn microarchitecture, a shrink of the former, introduced SSE4.1. With a maximum thermal design power (TDP) of 65 W, the Core 2 Duo Conroe dissipates half the power of the less capable contemporary Pentium D-branded desktop chips[7] that have a max TDP of 130 W.[8]
| Original logo |
2009 logo |
Desktop | Mobile | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Code-name | Cores | Release date | Code-name | Cores | Release date | ||
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Desktop version not available | Merom-L Penryn-L |
Single (65 nm) Single (45 nm) |
September 2007 May 2008 | ||
|
|
Conroe Allendale Wolfdale |
Dual (65 nm) Dual (65 nm) Dual (45 nm) |
July 2006 January 2007 January 2008 |
Merom Penryn |
Dual (65 nm) Dual (45 nm) |
August 2006 January 2008 |
|
|
Kentsfield Yorkfield |
Quad (65 nm) Quad (45 nm) |
January 2007 March 2008 |
Penryn-QC | Quad (45 nm) | August 2008 |
|
|
Conroe XE Kentsfield XE Yorkfield XE |
Dual (65 nm) Quad (65 nm) Quad (45 nm) |
July 2006 November 2006 November 2007 |
Merom XE Penryn XE Penryn-QC XE |
Dual (65 nm) Dual (45 nm) Quad (45 nm) |
July 2007 January 2008 August 2008 |
| Full list | List of desktop processors | List of mobile processors | |||||
Known marks
editWith the release of the Core 2 processor, the abbreviation C2 has come into common use, with its variants C2S (the present Core 2 Solo) 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 (such as QX6700, QX6800, QX6850).
Successors
editThe successors to the Core 2 brand are a set of Nehalem-based processors called Core i3, i5, and i7. The Core i7 was officially launched on November 17, 2008, as a family of three quad-core processor high-end desktop models; further models started appearing throughout 2009. The last processor of the family to be released was the Core 2 Quad Q9500 in January 2010. The Core 2 processor line was removed from the official price lists in July 2011,[9][10] and the last processors were discontinued in June 2012.[1]
See also
editNotes
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Product Change Notification #110665-00" (PDF). Intel Corp. June 6, 2011. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
- ^ "Intel Clovertowns step up, reduce power". TG Daily. Archived from the original on September 11, 2007. Retrieved September 5, 2007.
- ^ "Intel Unveils World's Best Processor". Intel. Archived from the original on April 3, 2007. Retrieved August 14, 2007.
- ^ "Intel to unify product naming scheme". TG Daily. Archived from the original on September 26, 2007. Retrieved August 6, 2007.
- ^ "Intel Centrino 2 with vPro technology and Intel Core2 processor with vPro technology" (PDF). Intel. Retrieved August 7, 2008.
- ^ "Intel Unleashes New Server Processors That Deliver World-Class Performance And Power Efficiency". Intel. Archived from the original on July 1, 2006. Retrieved June 26, 2006.
- ^ "The 65 nm Pentium D 900's Coming Out Party: Test Setup". Tom's Hardware. Archived from the original on July 3, 2012. Retrieved June 15, 2007.
- ^ "The 65 nm Pentium D 900's Coming Out Party: Thermal Design Power Overview". Tom's Hardware. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved June 15, 2007.
- ^ "Intel Processor Pricing, Effective July 10, 2011". Intel Corp. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 26, 2008. Retrieved July 17, 2011.
- ^ "Intel Processor Pricing, Effective July 17, 2011" (PDF). Intel Corp. Retrieved July 17, 2011.
External links
edit1st public demonstration: Anandtech discovers Core 2 Duo performance under the supervision of Francois Piednoel