Core2Duo Architecture

Core 2 is an eighth-generation x86 architecture microprocessor produced by Intel based on an all-new CPU architecture called the Intel Core Microarchitecture, which is the successor of NetBurst microarchitecture that has powered most Intel processors since 2000. Core 2 also marks the retirement of Intel’s Pentium brand name that has been used from 1993 and the reunion of Intel’s notebook and desktop product lines since Pentium M was released apart from Pentium 4 in 2003.

The first wave of Core 2 processors was officially released on July 27, 2006. Like the Intel Core processors that they supercede, the Core 2 brand is subdivided into Solo (single core) and Duo (dual core) models, plus an Extreme designation carried over from the Pentium Extreme Edition. The first generation of Core 2 products all have been dual core, with future plans for single and quad core varieties.

Unlike NetBurst-based processors, such as the Pentium 4 and Pentium D, Core 2 does not stress designs based on extremely high clock speeds but rather improvements on other CPU features, including cache efficiency and number of cores. The power consumption of these processors is much lower than the Pentium desktop line of products. With a TDP of only 65W, Core 2 has the lowest power consumption of any desktop chip this generation, beating out both Prescott’s TDP of 130W and San Diego’s TDP of 89W.

Intel Core 2 processors feature EM64T (an implementation of AMD64), Virtualization Technology, Execute Disable Bit, and SSE4. The release also introduced LaGrande Technology, Enhanced SpeedStep Technology, and Active Management Technology (iAMT2).

Current processor cores

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 “Conroe”

This article is about Intel processors branded as “Intel Core 2″. For more information on the microarchitecture used in Intel Core 2 microprocessors, see Intel Core Microarchitecture.

The first Intel Core 2 Duo processor core, codenamed Conroe, was launched on 27 July 2006. This processor is built on a 65 nm process and is intended for desktops, replacing the Pentium 4 and Pentium D. Intel has claimed that Conroe provides 40% more performance at 40% less power compared to the Pentium D.

The Conroe processors are labeled as the E6600 and E6700 Core 2 Duo models, with the E6600 clocked at 2.4 GHz and the E6700 clocked at 2.67 GHz. The family has a 1066 MT/s front side bus, 4MB shared L2 cache, and 65 watts TDP. These processors have been tested against AMD’s current top performing processors, which were, until this latest Intel release, the fastest CPUs available, and the vanilla Conroe boasts much faster performance.[1] Overclocking results show that the E6700 and E6600 are stable when overclocked to 4 GHz, despite having locked multipliers.[2]

At launch time, Intel’s prices for the Core 2 Duo E6600 and E6700 processors were $316 USD and $530 USD each in quantities of 1000.

Conroe XE

The top-of-the-line Core 2 Extreme was offically released on July 27, 2006. However some retailers appear to have released it on July 13, 2006, albeit at a high premium. The less powerful E6×00 models of Core 2 Duo were scheduled for simultaneous release with the X6800, which are both available at this time, though in limited quantities. It is powered by the Conroe XE core and replaces the Pentium 4 Extreme Edition and the dual-core Pentium Extreme Edition processors. Core 2 Extreme has a clock speed of 2.93 GHz and a 1066 MT/s FSB, although it was initially expected to achieve 3.33 GHz and 1333 MT/s. The TDP for this family is 75-80 Watts. At full load the X6800 does not exceed 45°C, and with SpeedStep enabled the average temperature of the CPU when idle is 25°C.[3]

At launch time, Intel’s price for the Core 2 Extreme X6800 was $999 USD each in quantities of 1000. Like the desktop Core 2 Duo, it has 4 MB of shared L2 cache available. This means that the only major difference between the regular Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Extreme is the clock speed, which is unusual for the “Extreme Edition.” It does come with an unlocked multiplier, however, allowing it to basically simulate any E6×00 with 4 MB of L2 cache. This also allows it to gain a better overclocking ability than the other Core 2 processors, with up to a 14X multiplier. Intel’s previous Extreme Editions all included a unique feature, such as an increased FSB, more L2 cache, or addition of L3 cache.

Benchmarking tests in multimedia and gaming have shown that the X6800 can lead the best AMD processor by up to 36% in performance. Overclocking proves more promising, as Intel allows the user to change the multiplier number. The X6800 has shown the ability to be overclocked to 3.4 GHz on Intel’s stock cooler with no increase in voltage to the system components.

Allendale

Allendale is a codename for stripped down versions of the Conroe processors with only 2MB of L2 cache. The E6300 (1.86GHz) and E6400 (2.13GHz), both with a 1066MT/s FSB, were released on July 27, 2006. Traditionally, CPUs of the same family with less cache simply have the unavailable cache disabled, but this is not the case with Allendale. Allendale actually has a smaller die, which results in less heat production and a higher overclock. Some Allendale CPUs have been shown to overclock better than Conroe CPUs because of the smaller die size and lower temperatures. At launch time, Intel’s prices for the Core 2 Duo E6300 and E6400 processors were $183 USD and $224 USD each in quantities of 1000.

Merom

Merom, the first mobile version of the Core 2, was officially released on July 27, 2006 but quietly began shipping to PC manufacturers in mid-July alongside Conroe.[4][5] Merom is Intel’s premier line of mobile processors, with largely the same features as Conroe but with more emphasis on low power consumption to enhance notebook battery life. Intel has claimed that Merom will provide 20% more performance yet maintain the same battery life as the Yonah-based Core Duo. Merom will be the first Intel mobile processor to feature EM64T 64-bit extensions.

Intel has stated that the first version of Merom is drop-in compatible with the current Core Duo platform, requiring at most a BIOS update. It has the same thermal envelope and the same 667 MT/s bus rate.[6]

The Merom processors are labeled as the “T5×00″ and “T7×00″ Core 2 Duo models, with the T5500 clocked at 1.66 GHz, the T5600 clocked at 1.83 GHz, the T7200 clocked at 2.0 GHz, the T7400 clocked at 2.16 GHz, and the T7600 clocked at 2.33 GHz. The T5×00 models come with 2 MB of shared L2 cache, and the T7×00 models come with 4 MB of shared L2 cache.

Future processors This section contains information about scheduled or expected future products.
It may contain unverified or unreliable information, and may not reflect the final version of the product.

Conroe XE

By the end of 2006 Intel plans to introduce the Core 2 Extreme X6900, which is slated to clock at 3.2 GHz, while keeping the same FSB speed, L2 cache size, socket, and TDP.

According to leaked info, Intel is to release another Conroe XE in the 4th quarter of 2006, model X8000 with 3.33GHz and 1333MHz FSB QDR.

Kentsfield

Kentsfield is the codename for the first quad-core version of the Conroe processor. The new Core 2 Extreme will arrive with a clock speed of 2.67 GHz, more L2 cache and substantially higher power consumption. Kentsfield will be the next Core 2 Extreme processor. Unlike AMD’s 4×4 (which is two dual-core dies connected with a Hypertransport bus), Kentsfield will be a one socket solution, with two E6700 chips connected together by a 1066 MHz FSB on one MCM, resulting in lower costs but less bandwidth to the northbridge. It is expected to be released in the Fourth Quarter of 2006.

Allendale

An E4300 Allendale (1.8GHz, 800MT/s FSB) will be released in the 1st quarter of 2007.

Merom

Low voltage versions of Merom for use in systems such as subnotebooks are scheduled to begin shipping in Q1 2007, with the ultra-low voltage U7500 arriving in Q2 2007.[7] As of August 2006, pricing had not been announced.

A second wave of Merom processors featuring an 800 MT/s FSB and using the new Socket P is expected to launch in April 2007. [8] These chips will be part of the platform codenamed Santa Rosa.[9] Low voltage versions are also planned for release in the same timeframe.

Conroe-L

Intel will offer a low-cost single-core version of Conroe, code-named “Conroe-L”, starting from the second quarter 2007, according to an article on DailyTech[10]. The article doesn’t indicate what name the chips will have, but “Intel Core 2 Solo”, along the lines of “Intel Core 2 Duo”, is a possibility.