Introduction

Core 2 Duo, Core 2 Quad and Core 2 Extreme processors are based on the new Core microarchitecture, released to replace Netburst microarchitecture, used on Pentium 4 and CPU's based on it. In this tutorial we will list all models from these processors released so far together with their main technical specs.

Core 2 family comes in three flavors: Core 2 Duo, a dual-core CPU that replaces Pentium 4 and Pentium D; Core 2 Quad, which is a quad-core Core 2 Duo; and Core 2 Extreme, which replaces Pentium Extreme Edition and has models with two and four cores. Core 2 Extreme runs at higher clock rates and has its clock multiplier unlocked, which allows you to overclock the CPU by changing the CPU clock multiplier.

Pay attention to not confuse Core 2 Duo with Core Duo. Core Duo is the commercial name for a Pentium M manufactured using 65 nm process, codenamed Yonah, while Core 2 Duo is the commercial name for the CPU codenamed Merom (for laptops) or Conroe (for desktops), which uses the new Intel Core microarchitecture. For an in-depth discussion on this new microarchitecture, read our Inside Intel Core Microarchitecture and Penryn Core New Features tutorials.

Here is a summary of the main Core 2 family features:

• Core microarchitecture.
• 32 KB instruction L1 memory cache and 32 KB data L1 memory cache for each core.
• Dual-core technology or quad-core technology.
• 65 nm or 45 nm manufacturing process.
• Socket 775.
• 800 MHz (200 MHz transferring four data per clock cycle), 1,066 MHz (266 MHz transferring four data per clock cycle), 1333 MHz (333 MHz transferring four data per clock cycle) or 1600 MHz (400 MHz transferring four data per clock cycle) external clock rates.
• 2 MB, 3 MB, 4 MB or 6 MB unified L2 memory cache (on processors with four cores L2 cache is divided in two, and each half is shared by each pair of cores).
• Intel Virtualization Technology. (Except on Core 2 Duo E4x00, E7x00 and E81xx models)
• Intel EM64T Technology.
• SSE3 instruction set.
• SSE4.1 instruction set on 45 nm models.
• Execute Disable Bit.
• Intelligent Power Capability.
• Enhanced SpeedStep Technology.

Let’s now talk about Core 2 Duo, Core 2 Quad and Core 2 Extreme models launched so far.

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