What is Core 2 Duo\Quad?

Question

I've heard of these dual core\quad core processors. but what does that mean. someone said that if i had a 2ghz Dual Core Processor, i should have 4ghz of processing power. Is that true? What does that mean

Answer 1

Core 2 is Intel's latest high performance processor technology that does more instructions per clock cycle at medium to high Ghz and low to medium wattage.

Core 2 Duo has two processor cores and Quad has 4 cores. But that does not literally mean that you have twice or 4x the Ghz speed.

Dual core is just like having 2 cars that can do 100mph each. You can never do 200mph with those 2 cars. BUT you can do a lot more with 2 cars rather than having to wait for Dad to borrow his car when you have a date.

Answer 2

Core 2 duo is a type of processor which has two, well, 'cores'!

Don't be confused by people telling you that 2x2ghz = 4ghz. This is plain wrong. What dual-core processors do best is to 'split the load'.

For example, with one 2ghz chip, you may be able to run 1 program smoothly, but if you run 2, it may start freezing up - but with dual-core processors, each 'core' can be assigned to a different program - effectively having a processor running each program. This is great if you're into gaming and listening to music at the same time ;)

Obviously, this process is not 100% effective - but it's a good attempt at it.

But - more programs are being which can utilise BOTH cores - meaning maybe, in the future, that 2*2=4 is going to become more of a possibility.

One final note - Core 2 Duo is a type of processor from Intel - it's a brand. The generic name for any processor with 2 cores is 'dual-core'. AMD (the other major processor manufacturer) have theirs, too.