The Intel Core 2 Duo processor was designed to meet the demand for increased performance from PC users. It can run multiple, intense software applications simultaneously. Advanced features like Wide Dynamic Execution, Smart Memory Access, Advanced Smart Cache, Digital Media Boost, enhanced security, virtualization and 64-bit computing make the Intel Core 2 Duo the most impressive processor. It also allows downloading and viewing high definition videos, as well as advanced photo and video editing.
Intel’s new 45nm manufacturing technology, with hafnium infused Hi-k transistors, enables more processor performance by doubling the transistor density. It has high efficiency and speed relative to the all previous generation. Intel Core 2 Duo processors deliver more performance without using more energy and its cache size is increased by up to 50 percent.
The Intel Core 2 Duo processor requires less power to run by operating at lower frequency. Intelligent Power Capability feature optimizes energy usage of the processor cores, which turns on computing functions only when needed.
These processors are equipped with a Digital Thermal Sensor (DTS) that enables efficient processor and platform thermal control. Thermal sensors are located within the processor that measures the maximum temperature on the die at any given time. The benefits of temperature monitoring is that system fans spin only as fast as needed to cool the system, and slower spinning fans generate less noise. Let’s discuss some other important features of Intel Core 2 Duo processor.
Dual-Core Processing: Two independent processor cores in one physical package run at the same frequency, and share 6 MB of L2 cache.
Wide Dynamic Execution: Improves execution speed and efficiency, delivering more instructions per clock cycle. Each core can complete up to four full instructions simultaneously.
Smart Memory Access: It optimizes the use of the data bandwidth from the memory subsystem to accelerate out-of-order execution. A newly designed prediction mechanism reduces the time in-flight instructions have to wait for data. Its pre-fetch algorithms move data from system memory into fast L2 cache in advance of execution. These functions keep the pipeline full, improving instruction throughput and performance.
Advanced Smart Cache: The shared L2 cache is dynamically allocated to each processor core based on workload. This efficient implementation increases the probability that each core can access data from fast L2 cache. It significantly reduces latency to frequently used data and improves performance.
Advanced Digital: It accelerates the execution of Streaming SIMD Extension (SSE) instructions to significantly improve the performance on a broad range of applications. Such as video, audio, image processing, multimedia, encryption, financial, engineering, and scientific applications.
The 128-bit SSE instructions are issued at a throughput rate of one per clock cycle effectively doubling their speed of execution on a per clock basis. Its 45nm versions include a new Super Shuffle Engine, which improves existing SSE instructions while enabling significant gains on the latest SSE4 instruction set.
Virtualization Technology: It allows one hardware platform to function as multiple “virtual” platforms. For businesses, Intel VT Technology offers improved manageability, limiting downtime and maintaining worker productivity by isolating computing activities into separate partitions.
Trusted Execution Technology: Provides hardware-based mechanisms to help protect against software-based attacks and protect the confidentiality and integrity of data stored on the system. It does this by providing a trusted environment where applications can run within their own space, protected from all other software on the system.
64 bit Architecture: Enables the processor to access larger amounts of memory. With appropriate 64-bit supporting hardware and software, platforms based on an Intel processor supporting Intel 64 architecture can allow the use of extended virtual and physical memory.
Execute Disable Bit: Provides enhanced virus protection when deployed with a supported operating system. The Execute Disable Bit allows memory to be marked as executable or non-executable. It allows the processor to raise an error to the operating system if malicious code attempts to run in non-executable memory, thereby preventing the code from infecting the system.
Thermal Solution: Includes a 4-pin connector for fan speed control to help minimize the acoustic noise levels generated from running the fan at higher speeds for thermal performance. Fan speed control technology is based on actual CPU temperature and power usage.