Please explain the difference between intel dual core and intel core 2 duo processors?

[Muneeb Ahsan]

I know it kinda weird to ask about old things but i want to know the exact difference between Intel dual core and Intel core 2 duo processors. and please explain are Intel dual core processors are the part of Intel core 2 series or Intel Pentium series?
and does Pentium D processors have 2 real cores? Thanks in advance but please explain it for me.

 

[anxiousinfusion]

Both of the processors you mention are true dual core processors. I was never fond of Intel's marketing using the term 'duo'. All it does is confuse consumers.

"Core 2" refers to the line of CPUs just like today's "Core i" series.

Pentium D processors do have 2 physical cores.

 

[Muneeb Ahsan]

so what's the difference between intel dual core processor and intel core 2 duo processor?

 

[cmi86]

A "dual core" processor simply implies that the CPU has 2 "cores" There are several "dual core" CPU's made by intel and AMD. "Core2" Is a name for an architecture. Like the current line of "Core i" from Intel or the "FX" and "Phenom II" series from AMD.
So a "Core 2 Duo" Is a dual core CPU build with the Core 2 architecture. Just as a "Core 2 Quad" Is a quad core CPU built on the Core 2 architecture.

 

[CDdude55]

Well they're both "Dual Core" in the sense of having two processing cores but generally the Intel Dual Core line in referring to the newer Pentium models.

The Pentium models are in fact a part of the Core 2 Duo line but they are within the value segment. When it comes to having "real" cores you have to define what that means, The newer Pentium chips are based on the same architecture as the Core 2 Duos so the cores themselves should be communicating similarly it's only that the Pentiums have less resources like lower cache and speed.

The Pentium D is based on an older architecture so it's not apart of the "Core" line of chips.

Yes it can be very confusing, as they basically dug up the Pentium name again and applied it onto there lower end Core chips but this tends to mix people up with the older Netburst based Pentiums and the newer "Core" based Pentiums. They're chips from a different era with different designs and performance.

 

[DComander1x]

A core duo is basically 2 Pentium Ms on one chip, and was for laptops only. A Core 2 Duo merges the desktop (Pentium D) and laptop (Core Duo / Pentium M) lines with a brand new design, albeit based on the Pentium III. The Core 2 is about 10 to 15% faster then the laptop only Core Duo.
The Pentium D contained two real cores, basically it was 2 separate Pentium 4s on one chip.
The Intel dual core line is basically Intels renaming of the Pentium Line, but, like others have said, its the same as the Core 2 Duo, but cheaper.

 

[Gaidax]

Give us the models you are talking about - it can get confusing.

Pentium D is not a real Dual Core in a modern sense of this word - it is basically 2 Pentium 4 cores "glued" together. Not very elegant and not very efficient either.

Core2Duo is a more advanced architecture which is the real "modern" Dual-Core. It is much faster than Pentium D (to the point where Pentium D 3.4GHz < Core2Duo 2.4 GHz for example)

Pentium Dual Core is a modified, weaker Core2Duo - it is about mid-way between Pentium D and Core2Duo.


So generally you can say: Pentium D < Pentium Dual Core < Core2Duo.

 

[Muneeb Ahsan]

Thanks every one for quick and complete replies but please can some one explain Intel dual core is the part of core 2 series or Pentium series?

 

[DComander1x]

Thanks every one for quick and complete replies but please can some one explain Intel dual core is the part of core 2 series or Pentium series?

A Pentium Dual Core - its a much cheaper Core 2 Duo made under the Pentium Line

 

[Muneeb Ahsan]

Well they're both "Dual Core" in the sense of having two processing cores but generally the Intel Dual Core line in referring to the newer Pentium models.

The Pentium models are in fact a part of the Core 2 Duo line but they are within the value segment. When it comes to having "real" cores you have to define what that means, The newer Pentium chips are based on the same architecture as the Core 2 Duos so the cores themselves should be communicating similarly it's only that the Pentiums have less resources like lower cache and speed.

The Pentium D is based on an older architecture so it's not apart of the "Core" line of chips.

Yes it can be very confusing, as they basically dug up the Pentium name again and applied it onto there lower end Core chips but this tends to mix people up with the older Netburst based Pentiums and the newer "Core" based Pentiums. They're chips from a different era with different designs and performance.

k, i get it. you mean to say intel dual core is based on same Architecture of Core 2 family, so its the part of Core 2 family?
please explain what kind of improvments intel had made in Intel Dual core to make Cor 2 duo. Thanks

 

[DComander1x]

Well they're both "Dual Core" in the sense of having two processing cores but generally the Intel Dual Core line in referring to the newer Pentium models.

The Pentium models are in fact a part of the Core 2 Duo line but they are within the value segment. When it comes to having "real" cores you have to define what that means, The newer Pentium chips are based on the same architecture as the Core 2 Duos so the cores themselves should be communicating similarly it's only that the Pentiums have less resources like lower cache and speed.

The Pentium D is based on an older architecture so it's not apart of the "Core" line of chips.

Yes it can be very confusing, as they basically dug up the Pentium name again and applied it onto there lower end Core chips but this tends to mix people up with the older Netburst based Pentiums and the newer "Core" based Pentiums. They're chips from a different era with different designs and performance.

k, i get it. you mean to say intel dual core is based on same Architecture of Core 2 family, so its the part of Core 2 family?
please explain what kind of improvments intel had made in Intel Dual core to make Cor 2 duo. Thanks

Features like a larger L2 cache, more cores, Virtualization Acceleration, vPro,other expensive features and a higher FSB are what separates a Core 2 from a Pentium Dual Core.