Intel Notebook Processor Naming Scheme?

Question

Would someone please help me understand Intel's naming scheme for it's notebook CPU's.

e.g. How does a Core 2 Duo T2050 differ from a T7400? How will I tell which is a more batter efficient processor vs a faster one?

I know that for the AMD Turion 64 X2, they use model names such as TL-50 - where the first letter denotes single or dual core, the second letter is for comparing power efficiency while the number is pretty much for comparing processor power. So for example, assuming everything else equal -- an MT-34 would be more battery efficient than an ML-36, but the latter would be a 'faster' CPU. I am wondering if Intel has the same naming scheme?

PS. I am only concerned about "model names" with in specific processor families - NOT the differences between Core 2, Core Duo, Core Solo, Celeron etc..

Thank you.

Answer 1

There is some reasoning to Intel's naming scheme, but not as much so as with AMDs. As for the first letter, within the Core 2 Duo family, T represents regular voltage, L is for low voltage, and U is for ultra-low voltage. A T2050 is a Core Duo, not a Core 2, so it is a different family. As for the numbers, unfortunately there is nothing really completely consistent there. Intilltially in the Core 2 Duo family, if the first number is 5, it has 2MB of cache, if it is 7 it has 4MB of cache. But then Intel released the Ultra-low voltage models, and they had the first as 7 but only 2MB of cache, which is also true of the newly released T7100. Within the T7**** series, if the second number is even it has a 667Mhz FSB, if it is odd it has an 800Mhz FSB. Ultimately with all the conflicting things Intel does, the best way is to just look at a list of the models, here is one:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Intel_Core_2_Duo_microprocessors#.22Merom.22_.28standard-voltage.2C_65_nm.29