Intel's Core 2 Quad processors are an outdated family of processors that provide modest performance in modern applications. These processors are generally less powerful than modern Intel processors from the Core I5 or I7 families. The Core 2 Quad models are cheaper than most newer processors but also lack a number of useful features found in the latest technology.
Microarchitecture
The Core 2 Quad family has four physical processing cores based on the Core microarchitecture. These processors consist of a pair of Core 2 Duo processor dies mounted on a single package. This gives Core 2 Quad models a significant performance advantage in multitasking compared to Core 2 Duo processors. Since the Quad models consist of two processor dies, the Level 2 data caches of the Core 2 Quads are not shared with every core. This design element significantly reduces the performance of the these processors compared with newer Quad Core designs. Core 2 Quad processors also lack the level 3 data cache found on many newer Intel processors, further limiting its performance.
Hyperthreading
One of the major disadvantages of using a Core 2 Quad processor is that it lacks many of the features found on newer models. One of these features is hyperthreading. This feature allows each processor core to work on two processing threads at once. This effectively doubles the number of available cores, making processors with this feature much more effective at multitasking large numbers of programs.
Memory Features
Another disadvantage of Core 2 Quad processors is that they do not support triple-channel memory. Newer Core I7 processors include an integrated memory controller that supports three memory channels using third generation Double Data Rate memory operating at 1,600 MHz. The integrated memory controller of Core 2 Quad processors also supports DRR3 memory but only supports dual-channel memory running at 1,333 MHz.
Compatibility
The Core 2 Quad is only compatible with motherboards using the Land Grid Array 775 processor socket. This design feature has the advantage of being compatible with several types of older Intel processors. However most newer motherboards use the LGA 1156 or 1366 processor sockets. These newer motherboards also support a variety of powerful features including USB 3.0 and Serial ATA III that are not available on the older socket 775 motherboards.
Advantages
Core 2 Quad processors provide adequate performance for most tasks and cost considerably less than many newer processors. Although Core 2 Quad processors do not support many of the features found in newer models, they are a comparatively powerful upgrade option for many older computers.
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