Dual core/Core Duo/C2D

[Gig-O-Ram]

I've begun the planning of my next build, and though it won't see the light of day for at least a year or so, I figured now is the time to ask this question (Hey - I gotta work on getting out of the debt I got into while moving, LOL!)

What are the main differences, if any, between Dual Core, C2D and Core Duo cpu's?
Now, I have no idea what will be available a year from now, so maybe these cpu's will be passe' by then anyway, but in case they're still viable, I'd like to consider the best option. I mean, if it's just a matter of a name for the different types of architectures, then maybe it doesn't matter, but I'm confused anyway.

[[Dr. V]]

Well dual core simply means the CPU has 2 cores. Both the Core Duo, and the Core 2 Duo CPUs are dual-core CPUs. As for Core x Core 2, Core 2 is simply the newer (/newest) and better chip. Also, it happens to be the best CPU choice out of all else at the moment. Core Duo, for the most part if not 100%, we're for laptops.

[Stormcrow]

This actually gets asked alot, so a short breakdown on terms.

Dual Core- A single CPU with two processor dies that act together or independently, effectively giving you "two processors in one". Think two processors joined at the hip, sharing one socket.

Quad Core- Same thing as above, just with four dies instead of two. Effectively four processors in one.

Core Duo- Intel's first processor of the Core line, descended from the Pentium M rather then Pentium 4. Core Duo is outdated, supports only 32-bit, and is succeeded by the Core2 Duo, its revision.

Core2 Duo- A Core Duo with larger cache, faster FSB, 64-bit support, and revised microarchitecture. Replaced the Core Duo, currently regarded "best processor"

Core2 Quad- A Core2 processor with four cores instead of two.

Athlon X2- AMD's current dual-core processor line, outdated and lagging behind the Core2 Duo. AMD has no quad cores until the Barcelona core with Phenom.

For your timeframe, don't start planning your system until this winter if your going to be building it next year. Next year we should have some changes, like:

AMD's releasing the Phenom line to replace Athlon, kinda hazy on its preformance with some camps claiming it to be a Core2 killer and others more or less "wait and see".

Intel's Penryn/Wolfdale line, a greatly enhanced core for the Core2 line. Again, speculation is hazy, with some people saying the Phenom lineup will beat the new Intel cores and some saying AMD doesnt have a chance. Nehalem, another revision, is supposed to follow after.

Not processor related, but DDR3 may become more mainstream, new chipsets and boards to support the new cores, and AMD should have the 2950XT with nVidia's supposed launch of a 9800GTX this winter.

So we're going to see alot of shuffling around this fall/winter, and by spring you should be able to judge the best hardware for your build.

[Gig-O-Ram]

Originally Posted by ST!X

Well dual core simply means the CPU has 2 cores. Both the Core Duo, and the Core 2 Duo CPUs are dual-core CPUs. As for Core x Core 2, Core 2 is simply the newer (/newest) and better chip. Also, it happens to be the best CPU choice out of all else at the moment. Core Duo, for the most part if not 100%, we're for laptops.

Yeah, our LT has Core Duo (1.6ghz), but I'm not sure about it's performance. It was built by Acer, so I don't know if that's good or bad, but it has a tendency to lock up for a few seconds every once in a while, so my wife doesn't understand the fuss about dual core. And I've seen a lot of reviews on Newegg for the E series chips that have nothing bad to say at all, and they aren't as expensive as I thought they'd be. So unless something better is offered when I do start getting hardware, I guess I'll go C2D (I do like the look of the E6700...)

[Stormcrow]

Whats locking up is most likely your OS, are you running Vista? Vista has that problem with me, locking up for a few seconds and then returning to normal. And as I said in my last post, don't make any decisions until a couple of months before your ready to build, a E6700 now will be outdated by a Wolfdale core, and probably a lot cheaper. Quad core will be more or less mainstream by then too.

[Gig-O-Ram]

Originally Posted by Stormcrow

For your timeframe, don't start planning your system until this winter if your going to be building it next year. Next year we should have some changes, like:

AMD's releasing the Phenom line to replace Athlon, kinda hazy on its preformance with some camps claiming it to be a Core2 killer and others more or less "wait and see".

Intel's Penryn/Wolfdale line, a greatly enhanced core for the Core2 line. Again, speculation is hazy, with some people saying the Phenom lineup will beat the new Intel cores and some saying AMD doesnt have a chance. Nehalem, another revision, is supposed to follow after.

Not processor related, but DDR3 may become more mainstream, new chipsets and boards to support the new cores, and AMD should have the 2950XT with nVidia's supposed launch of a 9800GTX this winter.

So we're going to see alot of shuffling around this fall/winter, and by spring you should be able to judge the best hardware for your build.

As for my plans for the next build, they're in the very beginning stages. Things could definitely change a lot between now (if I were to actually build now) and when it goes into its first POST. I used to be on Intel for my first couple of OEM systems, then I went to the AMD platform for my first DIY, and now I'm thinking of hopping back to Intel, since the C2Ds are so popular.

As for RAM, I've been on DDR for so long, and so I've thought the next logical step would be to go to DDR2, but it seems I may have to skip over it completely if DDR3 does get more mainstream, not to metion cheaper. I looked at some DDR3 sets, and they're about half my monthly rent or better! They really need to come down on those things. Sounds like it'll be a toss up of spending a months rent on a video card (if I get latest/greatest) or lagging a bit with an 8800 something. I've also considered going to an SLI setup, so maybe I should just do a couple 8800s for the price of a 9800...

Originally Posted by stormcrow

Whats locking up is most likely your OS, are you running Vista? Vista has that problem with me, locking up for a few seconds and then returning to normal. And as I said in my last post, don't make any decisions until a couple of months before your ready to build, a E6700 now will be outdated by a Wolfdale core, and probably a lot cheaper. Quad core will be more or less mainstream by then too.

No, not Vista...XP Media Center.