General information | |
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Launched | July 26, 2006 |
Discontinued | June 8, 2012[1] |
Marketed by | Intel |
Designed by | Intel |
Common manufacturer |
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Performance | |
Max. CPU clock rate | 1.06 GHz to 3.5 GHz |
FSB speeds | 533 MT/s to 1.6 GT/s |
Data width | 64 bits |
Address width | 36 bits |
Virtual address width | 48 bits |
Cache | |
L1 cache | 64 KB per core (32 KB data + 32 KB instructions) |
L2 cache | Up to 12 MB |
Architecture and classification | |
Application | Desktop Mobile |
Technology node | 65 nm to 45 nm |
Microarchitecture | Core: Merom (65 nm) Penryn (45 nm) |
Instruction set | x86-64 |
Instructions | MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1 |
Physical specifications | |
Transistors |
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Cores |
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Packages |
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Sockets |
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Products, models, variants | |
Core names |
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Product code names |
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Models |
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History | |
Predecessors | Pentium D (desktop) Intel Core Solo/Duo (mobile) |
Successor | Core i3/i5/i7 |
Support status | |
Unsupported |
Intel Core 2 is a processor family encompassing a range of Intel's mainstream 64-bit x86-64 single-, dual-, and quad-core microprocessors based on the Core microarchitecture. The single- and dual-core models are single-die, whereas the quad-core models comprise two dies, each containing two cores, packaged in a multi-chip module.[2] The Core 2 range is the last flagship range of Intel desktop processors to use a front-side bus (FSB).
The introduction of Core 2 relegated the Pentium brand to the mid-range market, and reunified laptop and desktop CPU lines for marketing purposes under the same product name, which were formerly divided into the Pentium 4, Pentium D, and Core Solo/Duo brands.
The Core 2 processor line was introduced on July 27, 2006,[3] comprising the Duo (dual-core) and Extreme (dual- or quad-core CPUs for enthusiasts), and in 2007, the Quad (quad-core) and Solo (single-core) sub-brands.[4] Intel Core 2 processors with vPro technology (designed for businesses) include the dual-core and quad-core branches.[5]
Although Woodcrest processors are also based on the Core 2 architecture, they are available under the Xeon brand. From December 2006, all Core 2 processors were manufactured from 300-millimeter plates at Fab 12 factory in Arizona and at Fab 24-2 in County Kildare, Ireland.