Intel's Core Duo line uses two processors in one CPU.
Both the Core Duo and the Core 2 Duo feature two independent computing engines in one CPU. This results in higher speeds, especially when multitasking, and improved battery life. The Core 2 Duo retains the basic architecture but takes the concept further.
Architecture
While they both share the same basic architecture, the Core 2 Duo features 291 million transistors versus 151 million for the Core Duo. The number of pipeline stages grows from 12 to 14, while the number of decoders goes from "1 complex plus 2 simple" to "1 complex plus 3 simple" and issue ports increased by one, from five to six. These changes enable the Core 2 Duo to process more data faster while also accessing the data quicker.
Speed
Intel claims that the Core 2 Duo is 20 percent faster than its predecessor in real-life applications. While the Core Duo had a 2MB cache, the Core 2 Duo doubles that to 4MB. This combines with Intel's Smart Cache subsystem to result in more instructions per clock cycle to improve execution time.
Efficiency
The Core 2 Duo requires less power than its predecessor because its design allows allows parts of the CPU to hibernate during less intense applications. In addition, many CPU buses and arrays can be switched to a more economical setting when their full capacity is not required.
Tags: Intel Core, basic architecture, complex plus, complex plus simple, plus simple, than predecessor