A dual core processor for a computer is a central processing unit (CPU) that has two separate cores on the

same die, each with its own cache. It essentially is two microprocessors in one. This type of CPU is widely available from many manufacturers. Other types of multi-core processors also have been developed, including quad-core processors with four cores each, hexa-core processors with six, octa-core processors with eight and many-core processors with an even larger number of cores. In a single-core or traditional processor, the CPU is fed strings of instructions that it must order, execute, then selectively store in its cache for quick retrieval. When data outside the cache is required, it is retrieved through the system bus from random access memory (RAM) or from storage devices. Accessing these slows down performance to the maximum speed that the bus, RAM or storage device will allow, which is far slower than the speed of the CPU. This situation is compounded when the computer user is multi-tasking. In this case, the processor must switch back and forth between two or more sets of data streams and programs. CPU resources are depleted, and performance suffers. In a dual core processor, each core handles incoming data strings simultaneously to improve efficiency. Just as two heads are better than one, so are two hands. When one core is executing, the other can be accessing the system bus or executing its own code.

To utilize a dual core processor, the operating system must be able to recognize multi-threading, and the software must have simultaneous multi-threading technology (SMT) written into its code. SMT enables parallel multi-threading, wherein the cores are served multi-threaded instructions in parallel. Without SMT, the software will recognize only one core. SMT also is used with multiprocessor systems that are common to servers. A dual core processor is different from a multi-processor system. In the latter, there are two separate CPUs with their own resources. In the former, resources are shared, and the cores reside on the same chip. A multi-processor system is faster than a system with a dual core processor, and a dual core system is faster than a single-core system, when everything else is equal. An attractive value of dual core processors is that they do not require new motherboards but can be used in existing boards that feature the correct sockets. For the average user, the difference in performance will be most noticeable during multi-tasking, until more software is SMT aware. Servers that are running multiple dual core processors will see an appreciable increase in performance.

The Core 2 Duo is the dual-core -- or two-processing unit -- division of semiconductor manufacturer Intel's Core 2 processor brand, which it debuted on July 27, 2006. It formed part of a family of central processing units that supplanted the Pentium as the company's primary brand of consumer-oriented computer chips. Have a question? Get an answer from Online Tech Support now!

1. Design
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The Intel Core 2 Duo is divided into desktop processors and mobile processors, which go on laptop PCs. The desktop processors are split into three code names: Conroe, which uses the 65-nanometer manufacturing process and made its debut in August 2006; Allendale, 65nm, January 2007; and Wolfdale, January 2008, which uses the smaller 45-nm lithographic node. The mobile processors are divided into the 65-nm Merom, which were the firstreleased Core 2 Duo chips and shared the same launch date as the Core 2 itself, and the 45nm Penryn, released January 2008.

Main Features
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Each Intel Core 2 Duo CPU has its two cores placed on a single die, which is a wafer of semiconductor material. The 65-nm chips are bigger than the 45-nm ones. The Core 2 Duo division has a 1.06 to 3.33-GHz processing speed range, 533 to 1,333-MHz data bus speed range; a 2MB, 3MB, 4MB or 6MB Level 2 cache, or secondary memory bank; and a maximum power consumption range of 10 to 65 watts. The mobile processors tend to be the less powerful but more energy efficient Core 2 Duo chips.

Extreme Edition
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The Core 2 Duo has a subcategory called Extreme Edition. With a processing speed range of 2.6 to 3.06-GHz processing speed range, as well as 800-MHz and 1,066-MHz data bus speed choices, it formed part of the Core 2 brand that Intel marketed as a CPU for hardware enthusiasts. The Core 2 Duo Extreme Edition chips, however, are generally less energy efficient than the regular Core 2 Duo processors, with a peak power consumption choices of 44W and 75W.

Current Status
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Intel produced 27 desktop, 67 mobile and five Extreme Edition processors between 2006 and 2009. In 2008, the company introduced the Intel Core i7, signalling the beginning of the next generation of production of the Core brand. As of May 2011, Intel has stopped releasing new Core 2 chips altogether, with the current line-up consisting of the low-end i3, mid-level i5 and top-tier i7.

What Is A Dual Core Processor?

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A dual core processor is a generic term that refers to any computer processor chip that contains two CPU cores on a single die. There are many models, speeds and manufacturers.
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Intel Pentium Dual Core

The Pentium Dual Core processor was the original series of dual core processor manufactured by Intel. Gadgetophilia indicates that it is by far the less expensive of the two.

Intel Core 2 Duo

The Core 2 Duo is a specific series of dual core processor manufactured by Intel. This is due to higher clock speeds, a larger cache and a more sophisticated architecture.

Which Is Better?

All things considered, you are going to get better performance out of a Core 2 Duo processor. If you are operating on a budget, you will be able to get a Pentium Dual Core for much less.

Dual Core Benefits

IBM says that using multiple CPU cores, a processor is able to provide the same performance while running at a lower clock speed. This results in greater performance. It also provides greater efficiency due to less heat being lost from running at a higher clock speed.

Read more: http://www.ehow.com/facts_5547871_difference-dual-core-core-duo.html#ixzz2l5qV5Qjw

Advantages Proximity of two CPU cores on the same die have the advantage that the cache coherency circuitry can operate at a much higher clock rate than is possible if the signals have to travel off-chip, so combining equivalent CPUs on a single die significantly improves the performance of cache snoop operations. Assuming that the die can fit into the package, physically, the dual-core CPU designs require much less PCB space than multi-chip SMP designs. A dual-core processor uses slightly less power than two coupled single-core processors, principally because of the increased power required to drive signals external to the chip and because the smaller silicon process geometry allows the cores to operate at lower voltages. In terms of competing technologies for the available silicon die area, the dual-core design can make use of proven CPU core library designs and produce a product with lower risk of design error than devising a new wider core design. Also, adding more cache suffers from diminishing returns. Reference: http://seminarprojects.com/Thread-dual-core-processing-fullreport#ixzz2lA1HUEEu

. Disadvantages Dual-core processors require operating system (OS) support to make optimal use of the second computing resource. Also, making optimal use of multiprocessing in a desktop context requires application software support. The higher integration of the dual-core chip drives the production yields down and are more difficult to manage thermally than lower density single-chip designs. From an architectural point of view, ultimately, single CPU designs may make better use of the silicon surface area than multiprocessing cores, so a development commitment to this architecture may carry the risk of obsolescence. Scaling efficiency is largely dependent on the application or problem set. For example, applications that require processing large amounts of data with low computer-overhead algorithms may

find this architecture has an I/O bottleneck, underutiiizing the device. If a dual-core processor has only 1 memory bus (which is often the case) the available memory bandwidth per core is half the one available in a dual-processor mono-core system. Another issue that has surfaced in recent business development is the controversy over whether dual core processors should be treated as two separate CPUs for software licensing requirements. Typically enterprise server software is licensed per processor, and some software manufacturers feel that dual core processors, while a single CPU, should be treated as two processors and the customer should be charged for two licenses - one for each core. This has been challenged by some since not all dual core processor systems are running Operating Systems that can support the added dual core functionality. This remains an unresolved and thorny issue for software companies and customers.

Reference: http://seminarprojects.com/Thread-dual-core-processing-fullreport#ixzz2lA1NsWnK