Core 2 Duo, Pentium Dual Core, Core Duo .. so what is this all about? Is Core 2 Duo really as sweet as intel makes it look like .. lets see.
Lets understand one thing .. Intel is a corporate .. a big one, as you all know. So making money is their top priority. And like any manufacturing unit, even with the highest level of quality assurance, in the process of making processors, they do end up with certain processors that don’t pass all their strict testing. Which means that they can either throw them out, or they can use them to their advantage. And the latter is exactly what they do. And that is probably the single most biggest reason why we have sooo many flavors of processors at our hand in the market today.
There is no difference between say Pentium Dual Core T3200 (1 MB L2 Cache) and a Core 2 Duo T5750 (2 MB L2 Cache (1MB X 2)) except for the cache size. See for yourself in the spec sheet below. The only difference is the cache size, as you might notice.
So why name them ‘Pentium’ Dual Core?! .. mere marketing .. to signify it as a low end processor as apposed to their flagship Core 2 processors. This would also explain why you might find ‘Core2Duo’ in bios for many Pentium dual core machines in the market.
So here is a simple run down
Pentium dual Core: 1 MB L2 Cache. 32/64 bit
Core Duo: 2 MB L2 Cache. 32 bit
Core 2 Duo: 2 MB or more L2 Cache. 64 bit
64-bit used to be the distinction, but now you would also find 64-bit Pentium dual cores, and I hope you understand very well why. Although 1333 Mhz FSB is only offered in high end Core 2 Duo at the moment .. so buying Core 2 Duo does mean you’re buying the best Intel has to offer. But think again before you buy a Core 2 Duo processor just because you think its more future safe.
The actual question now is how much performance difference does the L2 cache actally offers & is it worth the extra money? We’ll be covering that soon in our next article. To stay tuned, subscribe now.
PS: Thats a real chopper btw. Featuring Black Diamond SwitchBack ruggedized PC with Intel’s low power Core Duo processor that operates the kickstand, rear view cameras, tachometer, and speedometer. No Keys but Zvetco Biometric’s Fingerprint recognition instead. Powered by a 192 cubic-inch Dual V-Twin motors delivering mighty 250 horsepower. Full AV capabilities, GPS, Wifi connectivity are all standard ofcourse 
. Made by the famous OCC guys.
This is a really informative topic. Nice post !
I think for a normal user or a home user there is no need to run for core 2 duo processor. I mean if you are a developer, or if you want to make your machine a server then core 2 duo will give you better performance specially with 64 bit operating system…
Otherwise for a user like me who only want to surf the internet, use word, excel, emails etc, dual core is also good.
“Core Duo is Intel’s first dual-core CPU. It’s a whole new architecture for Microsoft, using two cores on a single die, which, put simply, gives you two chips in one package. Running at lower speeds than the old Pentium line, the Core Duo conserves substantial power vs. ratcheting up clock speed while offering what was, at the time, record-breaking performance.
Now there’s Core 2 Duo. In many ways Core 2 is the same as Core: The chips are built using the same production process and fit in the same sockets as Core Duo chips”
If any one has some different experience please guide me truth about dual cores and core 2 duos
John Daniel
December 29th, 2008
Finally the truth has come out. Previously, I somehow had the feeling that Core 2 Duo was just a marketing gimmick to prolonge Intel’s product lifecycle. Now we can clearly understand that Dual cores and Core 2 Duos are just the same the only difference lying in software compatability i.e. 32 bit and 64 bit.
Tallal Khokhar
January 1st, 2009
Actually the real difference lies in the cache .. since you would find Pentium Dual Cores with 64 bit support .. as mentioned earlier in the article.
admin
January 4th, 2009