Core Duo Vs. Core 2 Duo

So, you've finally decided on purchasing that make/model of laptop or desktop that you've been eyeing but when you're just about ready to pay and leave the store quickly so you can test your new gadget, the salesperson asks you-what kind of processor? If you have already a specific make or model in mind, chances are you're just faced with two options: Intel core duo or core 2 duo.

Both processor types are of course, made by Intel and there's usually a lot of confusion over this processor's names with most consumers thinking that they're just the same. Well, they're not. Let me put it this way, you're going to get a new iPod, both has similar features but one is cheaper than the other and you ask the salesperson why and they tell you that the other one is the 2^nd, third, or 4^th generation model (I don't really know what generation iPods are now because I don't own one). That's how it is with Intel Core Duo and Core 2 Duo processors, both are basically the same but one is slightly a better version than the other.

Dual core is just the term used for processors with two physical CPUs. The early Intel Pentium 4 processors only have one core so when it says, Pentium 4 2.4 GHz, the speed is only 2.4 GHz while when you say Dual core 2.4 GHz, it means you have two processors running at 2.4 GHz each so your computer can run faster. I used to think that Dual Core is the proprietary name for Intel's new processors but AMD also sells dual core processors so Intel's marketing name for their new dual core processors is Core Duo and Core 2 Duo is the second generation of those processors.

When you look at it in a manufacturing point of view, there's really not much difference between Core Duo and Core 2 Duo processors since both use the same production process and some motherboards are compatible with both Core Duo and Core 2 Duo, but what gives Core 2 Duo processors the edge is the architectural changes on the design of the chip that can give it more processing abilities.

I have had the chance to upgrade my custom built desktop PC from the previous Core Duo processor to a Core 2 Duo processor and I can say that performance wise, the Core 2 Duo processor can perform faster and multi-task better. Aside from the faster processing speed of the Core 2 Duo Processor, it's also prone to less heat and less noise than my previous Core Duo processor. I have monitored the internal state of my desktop PC when I was using a Core Duo processor and I have to tell you that the Core Duo processors runs very hot, I thought I bought a defective processor but my Core Duo laptop also runs very hot as when compared with my upgraded desktop PC running Core 2 Duo and my other laptop which has a Core 2 Duo processor.

In terms of price, laptops and desktop PCs running Core Duo Processors are usually a lot cheaper compared with those running Core 2 Duo processors. Let's just say that if you're going to run a lot of Video Editing and you're going to do a variety of tasks on your PC/laptop, Core 2 Duo Processors is the best choice but if you're just looking for something to browse the net and do simple word processing, Core Duo Processors will do it just fine.