Core 2

From MediaCoderWiki

The Intel Core 2 brand refers to a range of 64-bit mobile and desktop x86-architecture microprocessors based on the Intel Core microarchitecture, This microarchitecture evolved from the 32-bit Intel Core ("Yonah") mobile microprocessor. The Yonah comprised two interconnected cores derived from the Pentium M as a single die IC. Core 2 marked a relegation of the Intel's Pentium brand to a lower-end market, and a reunification of Intel's notebook and desktop brand names, previously divided into the Pentium M and Pentium 4 lines.

The Core 2 brand was launched on July 27, 2006, comprising Duo (dual-core), Quad (quad-core), and Extreme (dual- or quad-core CPUs with higher speeds and unlocked multiplier) variants. The brand covers processors based on various processors cores; "Conroe" and "Allendale" (dual-core for higher- and lower-end desktop use, respectively), "Merom" (dual-core for notebooks), "Kentsfield" (quad-core for desktops), and their variants named "Penryn" (dual-core for notebooks), "Wolfdale" (dual-core for desktops) and "Yorkfield" (quad-core for desktops). Although the "Woodcrest", "Clovertown" and the upcoming "Tigerton" core CPUs for servers and workstations are also based on Core architecture, they are marketed under the Xeon brand. The first Core 2 Duo processors were fabricated on 300 mm wafers using a 65 nm manufacturing process.

Unlike the NetBurst architecture of Pentium 4 or Pentium D branded processors, the Core architecture does not stress extremely high clock speeds, but rather improvements in the processor's usage of both available clock cycles and power. This translated into more efficient decoding stages, execution units, caches, and buses, etc, reducing the Core 2 CPU's power consumption, while enhancing their processing capacity. With a TDP of up to only 65 W, the Core 2 dual-core Conroe consumed only half the power of some of the higher end dual-core Pentium D desktop chips with a TDP of up to 130 W (a high TDP requires many noisy cooling fans or a more expensive noiseless cooling system) and was more capable compared to them.

Intel Core 2 processors featured Intel 64 (also known as EM64T), Virtualization Technology (except T5500 or lower end E4x00), Execute Disable Bit, and SSE3. Core 2 also introduced SSSE3, Trusted Execution Technology, Enhanced SpeedStep, and Active Management Technology (iAMT2).

Typically for CPUs, the Core 2 Duo E4000/E6000, Core 2 Quad Q6600, Core 2 Extreme QX6800, QX6700 and QX6800 CPUs were affected by bugs, but apparently minor.