Difference Between Dual Core And Core 2 Duo Processors

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Computers have evolved fast from the time they were introduced. Computers were originally launched to be able to solve mathematical applications. These computers were slow to process data and could only run one operating at a time, which means another action or operation had to wait for one operation to become over, before another operation could begin. These were known as single core processors. The demand for faster technology required that the processor companies make faster processors which higher clock speeds. Once a maximum clock speed was achieved, the manufacturers tried increasing the performance of their products by adding more cores to a single chip. These became known as multi-core processors and include dual core, quad core, hexa-core and octa-core processors.

Dual core technology refers to two individual microprocessors on a single die cast chip. This is essentially two processing units (CPUs) in one.  The advantage of a dual core chip is that tasks can be carried out in parallel streams, decreasing processing time. Core Duo was simply 2 Pentium processors on a single chip. As the company began advancing processor technology making it faster and better, they decided to differentiate it from their first generation by labeling them Core 2 Duo. The 2 in the name refers to the 2nd generation of processors. Basically, the difference between dual core processors and the Core 2 duo processors is just in the semantics as Core 2 Duo is simply a name given to a more recent family of dual core processors.

What Is Dual Core?

Dual core processors is a CPU that contain two processors or ‘’execution cores’’ in the same integrated circuit. Each processor has its own cache and controller, which enables it to function as efficient as a single processor. Given that the two processors are linked together, they can perform operations up to twice as fast as a single processor can.

While a dual core system has twice the processing power of a single-processor machine, it does not always perform twice as fast. This is because the software running on the machine may not be able to take full advantage or both processors. Some operating systems and programs are optimized for multiprocessing while others are not, though programs that have been optimized for multiple processors will run especially fast on dual core systems. The Intel Core Duo, the AMD X2 and the dual-core PowerPC G5 are all examples of CPUs that use dual core technologies. These CPUs each combine two processors cores on a single silicon chip.

What You Need To Know About Dual Core

  • Dual core is the generic name given to processors that have 2 cores in a single silicon chip.
  • It comes under Multi core processor.
  • In comparison with previous processors, Dual core is better than all.
  • In Dual core processor, there is 3 MB of L2 cache memory.
  • In Dou core processor, we can overclock the CPU up to 3.12 GHz (approximate value).
  • Duo core processor has two complete execution cores.
  • All Core 2 Duo processors are dual core.
  • Example include: Intel G530 Dual Core.

What Is Core 2 duo?

Core 2 duo is the name given by Intel to its second batch of dual core processors. The Core 2 duo is a 64 bit dual core processor.  This means two processor cores work inside a Core 2 Duo in parallel. The Core 2 Duo was introduced on July 27 2006 as a direct successor of the Core Duo. Each core is based on the Pentium M micro architecture. When compared to the old Net burst architecture of the Pentium 4, the cores in the Core 2 Duo have short pipelines and as a result, the maximum clock rate is lower but the performance per clock is significantly higher.  

However, while the architecture of Core 2 Duo sounds vaguely the same with that of Core Duo, Core 2 Duo is a more advanced version than the dual core processors. Core 2 Duo processors are much popular these days because they have more powerful Dual Core chip, best execution time and consumes less power in comparison to other version of Intel Core. There are also no overheating issues, as they run cool and have a perfect over-clock.

What You Need To Know About Core 2 duo

  • Core 2 duo is the name given by Intel to its second batch of dual core processors.
  • It is the extensive version of Dual core processor.
  • Core 2 duo has better performance than Dual core as it has better overclock ability than Dual core.
  • In Core 2 duo processor there is 6 MB of L2 cache memory.
  • In Core 2 Duo processor, we can overclock it up to 4.0 GHz.
  • Due to high clock speed/overclock ability, it can execute multiple task paralley.
  • Not all dual core processors are Core 2 Duo.
  • Example include: Intel Core 2 duo T8100.

Also Read: Difference Between Core i5 And Core i7

Difference Between Dual Core And Core 2 duo Processors

BASIS OF COMPARISON DUAL CORE CORE 2 DUO PROCESSORS
Description Dual core is the generic name given to processors that have 2 cores in a single silicon chip.   Core 2 duo is the name given by Intel to its second batch of dual core processors.  
Classification It comes under Multi core processor.   It is the extensive version of Dual core processor.  
Performance In comparison with previous processors (single core), Dual core is better than all.   Core 2 duo has better performance than Dual core as it has better overclock ability than Dual core.  
Cache Memory In Dual core processor, there is 3 MB of L2 cache memory.   In Core 2 duo processor there is 6 MB of L2 cache memory.  
Overclock In Dou core processor, we can overclock the CPU up to 3.12 GHz (approximate value).   In Core 2 Duo processor, we can overclock it up to 4.0 GHz.  
Nature All Core 2 Duo processors are dual core.   Not all dual core processors are Core 2 Duo.  
Execution Duo core processor has two complete execution cores.   Due to high clock speed/overclock ability, it can execute multiple task paralley.  
Example Intel G530 Dual Core Intel Core 2 duo T8100