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Core 2 Family
The Intel Core 2 family was the first multicore desktop design from Intel to cut ties with the Pentium 4 architecture used by the Pentium D, Intel's first dual-core processor. All Core 2 processors include unified memory cache and provide better throughput than Pentium 4 and Pentium D processors with higher clock speeds as well as cooler operation.
Despite the name, the Core 2 family includes single-core, dual-core, and quad-core processors.
Core 2 Extreme Processors
Core 2 Extreme processors are available in three series: the quad-core QX9000 and QX6000 series, and the dual-core X6000 series. The following sections discuss the major features of each series.
Core 2 Extreme Processor QX9000 Series
The Core 2 Extreme Processor QX9000 series was Intel's fastest series of processors until the advent of the Core i7 family. It includes the following major features:
- Four processor cores
- 12MB L2 cache
- Intel VT-x support
- Supports 64-bit operating systems and applications
- 1333MHz front side bus
- Based on "Yorkfield" architecture
To learn more, see Intel's ARK website: Core 2 Extreme Processor QX9000 series for desktop.
Core 2 Extreme Processor QX6000 Series
The Core 2 Extreme Processor QX6000 series features a smaller cache size and a lower range of clock speeds than the QX9000 series. Major features include the following:
- Four processor cores
- 8MB L2 cache
- Intel VT-x support
- Supports 64-bit operating systems and applications
- 1333MHz front side bus
- Based on "Kentsfield" architecture
To learn more, see Intel's ARK website: Core 2 Extreme Processor QX6000 series for desktop.
Core 2 Extreme Processor X6000 Series
This processor "series" of one was the first Extreme processor in the Core 2 family, and as such has much more in common with Core 2 Duo E6000 series than the other processors discussed above. Its major features include the following:
- Two processor cores
- 4MB L2 cache
- Intel VT-x support
- Supports 64-bit operating systems and applications
- Based on "Conroe" architecture
To learn more, see Intel's ARK website: Core 2 Extreme Processor X6000 series.
Core 2 Quad Processor
Core 2 Quad processors all have four processor cores, but their features are otherwise widely divergent. Core 2 Quad processors are available in three series: Q9000, Q8000, and Q6000. Their major features are described in the following sections.
Core 2 Quad Processor Q9000 Series
The Core 2 Quad Processor Q9000 series is based on the Core 2 Quad Extreme Processor QX9000 series, but with a smaller cache (in most models) and slower clock speeds. It includes the following major features:
- Four processor cores
- 6MB or 12MB L2 cache (varies by model)
- Intel VT-x support
- Supports 64-bit operating systems and applications
- 1333MHz front side bus
- Based on "Yorkfield" architecture
To learn more, see Intel's ARK website: Core 2 Quad Processor Q9000 series for desktop.
Core 2 Quad Processor Q8000 Series
The Core 2 Quad Processor Q8000 series is a slower, smaller cache-sized version of the Q9000 series. It has the following major features:
- Four processor cores
- 4MB L2 cache
- Intel VT-x support in some models
- Supports 64-bit operating systems and applications
- 1333MHz front side bus
- Based on "Yorkfield" architecture
To learn more, see Intel's ARK website: Core 2 Quad Processor Q8000 series.
Core 2 Quad Processor Q6000 Series
The Core 2 Quad Processor Q6000 series is a slower version of the Core 2 Extreme QX6000 series. Major features include the following:
- Four processor cores
- 8MB L2 cache
- Intel VT-x support
- Supports 64-bit operating systems and applications
- 1066MHz front side bus
- Based on "Kentsfield" architecture
To learn more, see Intel's ARK website: Core 2 Quad Processor Q6000 series.
Core 2 Duo Processor
The Core 2 Duo processors were the first members of the Core 2 family and are available in more than two dozen models. Core 2 Duo processors are available in four series: E8000, E7000, E6000, and E4000. Their major features are described in the following sections.
Core 2 Duo Processor E8000 Series
The Core 2 Duo E8000 processor series is the fastest of the Core 2 Duo series. It has the following major features:
- Two processor cores
- 6MB L2 cache
- Intel VT-x support in most models
- Supports 64-bit operating systems and applications
- 1333MHz Front Side Bus
- Based on "Wolfdale" architecture
To learn more, see Intel's ARK website: Core 2 Duo Processor E8000 Series.
Core 2 Duo Processor E7000 Series
The Core 2 Duo E7000 processor series is a smaller cache size and slower version of the E8000 series. It has the following major features:
- Two processor cores
- 3MB L2 cache
- Intel VT-x support in some models
- Supports 64-bit operating systems and applications
- 1066MHz Front Side Bus
- Based on "Wolfdale" architecture
To learn more, see Intel's ARK website: Core 2 Duo Processor E7000 Series.
Core 2 Duo Processor E6000 Series
- This series of processors uses the oldest Core 2 Duo design, "Conroe," and features slower performance than the E7000 or E8000 series. Its major features include the following:
- Two processor cores
- 2MB L2 cache
- Intel VT-x support
- Supports 64-bit operating systems and applications
- 1066MHz Front Side Bus
- Based on "Conroe" architecture
To learn more, see Intel's ARK website: Core 2 Duo Processor E6000 series.
Core 2 Duo Processor E4000 Series
This series of processors also uses the oldest Core 2 Duo design, "Conroe," with some of the features of the E6000 reduced or eliminated. Its major features include the following:
- Two processor cores
- 2MB L2 cache
- Supports 64-bit operating systems and applications
- 800MHz Front Side Bus
- Based on "Conroe" architecture
To learn more, see Intel's ARK website: Core 2 Duo Processor E4000 series.
Core 2 Solo Processor series
Core 2 Solo processors feature a single core and run at clock speeds under 1.5GHz. There are two series: U2000 and SU3000. The following sections discuss these series.
Core 2 Solo Processor U2000 Series
- Single processor core
- 1MB L2 Cache
- Intel VT-x support
- Supports 64-bit operating systems and applications
- 533MHz Front Side Bus
- Ultra low power requirements (5.5 watts Max TDP)
- Based on "Merom" architecture
To learn more, see Intel's ARK website: Core 2 Solo Processor U2000 series.
Core 2 Solo Processor SU3000 Series
- Single processor core
- 3MB L2 Cache
- Intel VT-x support
- Supports 64-bit operating systems and applications
- 800MHz Front Side Bus
- Ultra low power requirements (5.5 watts Max TDP)
- Based on "Penryn" architecture
To learn more, see Intel's ARK website: Core 2 Solo Processor SU3000 series.