What's the difference?

Daz · 06-09-2006, 16:20

For the love of god, what's the difference between the Core Duo, and the Core 2 Duo chips? I keep hearing/reading different things, and Intel's site isn't making it clear either. Maybe it's because I'm getting ill :/ but if someone could just tell me what the hell they're on about, I'd appreciate it.

Never been a fan of Intel's chip branding :/

[edit]Though wikipedia is coming up with a little more information. Big difference seems to be lack of EMT64 on the Core Duo's :/

Mark · 06-09-2006, 16:31

Core Duo = Yonah
Core 2 Duo = Conroe

The Core 2 Duo has several architectural refinements over Core Duo (e.g. more efficient sharing of the L1 and L2 cache), and also has things like 64-bit support that Core Duo doesn't.

Also, Core Duo is a low power consumption chip aimed at laptops, Core 2 Duo is a deskcop CPU. A new laptop version based on the Core 2 Duo (codenamed Merom is due out about now). The Core 2 Duo actually runs cooler than the Core Duo though (at least at comparable clock speed).

I remember reading that the clock-for-clock performance gain is somewhere around 10-20%, but also bear in mind that as a desktop chip, the Core 2 Duo is officially rated for much higher clock speeds than the Core Duo.

Daz · 06-09-2006, 16:32

Cheers dude

Laptop shopping you see, so I have to get familiar with Intels offerings again :/

Mark · 06-09-2006, 16:36

If you're laptop shopping and can wait a little while (month or two), wait until the Merom-based offerings are available.

Daz · 06-09-2006, 16:38

Quote:

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 "T5x00" and "T7x00" 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 T5x00 models come with 2 MB of shared L2 cache, and the T7x00 models come with 4 MB of shared L2 cache.

Appealing indeed. Wonder how long it will take Dell to get their fingers out...

Burble · 06-09-2006, 16:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daz

Appealing indeed. Wonder how long it will take Dell to get their fingers out...

September according to my Dell account manager.

Mark · 06-09-2006, 16:41

If I hadn't just emptied my savings account this month I'd have been in the market for a Merom equivalent to the D620. Now I have to save some more (if that's possible on my current budget).

Guess I'll have to stick it out with the D600 for a little while longer.

PS - can't play Painkiller on the D620 either.

Daz · 06-09-2006, 16:47

I do like the look of the D620 on paper, but I'm worried if the screen size would do my head in (14.1 only I believe). Been a while since I've seen anything that small, we've been buying D810's.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burbleflop

September according to my Dell account manager.

Mine's on holiday till Monday, you just saved me a call

Well, last time I checked, we were in september... spiffing.

Burble · 06-09-2006, 17:10

I can't wait to replace my laptop.. I've got a D400 which seemed like a great idea at the time as I figured a smaller laptop would decrease the weight of the crap I carry about when travelling but I have to say that saving 1Kg on a laptop makes **** all difference.

The D400 isn't a problem when I'm in the office as I've got a docking station with a 24" TFT plugged in, but it is a real struggle to use a 12.1" screen when travelling :/

Daz · 06-09-2006, 17:12

Do you think you'd be happy with a 14.1 screen? Or will you be going for the bigger (heavier, but like you say, meh) models (15.4)?

06-09-2006, 16:20	#1
Daz The Stig Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Swad! Posts: 10,713	What's the difference? For the love of god, what's the difference between the Core Duo, and the Core 2 Duo chips? I keep hearing/reading different things, and Intel's site isn't making it clear either. Maybe it's because I'm getting ill :/ but if someone could just tell me what the hell they're on about, I'd appreciate it. Never been a fan of Intel's chip branding :/ [edit]Though wikipedia is coming up with a little more information. Big difference seems to be lack of EMT64 on the Core Duo's :/ __________________ apt-get moo

06-09-2006, 16:31	#2
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	Core Duo = Yonah Core 2 Duo = Conroe The Core 2 Duo has several architectural refinements over Core Duo (e.g. more efficient sharing of the L1 and L2 cache), and also has things like 64-bit support that Core Duo doesn't. Also, Core Duo is a low power consumption chip aimed at laptops, Core 2 Duo is a deskcop CPU. A new laptop version based on the Core 2 Duo (codenamed Merom is due out about now). The Core 2 Duo actually runs cooler than the Core Duo though (at least at comparable clock speed). I remember reading that the clock-for-clock performance gain is somewhere around 10-20%, but also bear in mind that as a desktop chip, the Core 2 Duo is officially rated for much higher clock speeds than the Core Duo. Last edited by Mark; 06-09-2006 at 16:35.

06-09-2006, 16:32	#3
Daz The Stig Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Swad! Posts: 10,713	Cheers dude Laptop shopping you see, so I have to get familiar with Intels offerings again :/ __________________ apt-get moo

06-09-2006, 17:12	#10
Daz The Stig Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Swad! Posts: 10,713	Do you think you'd be happy with a 14.1 screen? Or will you be going for the bigger (heavier, but like you say, meh) models (15.4)? __________________ apt-get moo

06-09-2006, 16:36	#4
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	If you're laptop shopping and can wait a little while (month or two), wait until the Merom-based offerings are available.

06-09-2006, 16:41	#7
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	If I hadn't just emptied my savings account this month I'd have been in the market for a Merom equivalent to the D620. Now I have to save some more (if that's possible on my current budget). Guess I'll have to stick it out with the D600 for a little while longer. PS - can't play Painkiller on the D620 either.

06-09-2006, 17:10	#9
Burble Rocket Fuel Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7,826	I can't wait to replace my laptop.. I've got a D400 which seemed like a great idea at the time as I figured a smaller laptop would decrease the weight of the crap I carry about when travelling but I have to say that saving 1Kg on a laptop makes **** all difference. The D400 isn't a problem when I'm in the office as I've got a docking station with a 24" TFT plugged in, but it is a real struggle to use a 12.1" screen when travelling :/