Intel Core 2

Core 2
	Intel Core 2 Duo logo from 2009 to 2012
General information
Launched	July 26, 2006
Discontinued	June 8, 2012
Marketed by	Intel
Designed by	Intel
Common manufacturer	Intel;
Performance
Max. CPU clock rate	1.06 GHz to 3.5 GHz
FSB speeds	533 MT/s to 1.6 GT/s
Data width	64 bits
Address width	36 bits
Virtual address width	48 bits
Cache
L1 cache	64 KB per core (32 KB data + 32 KB instructions)
L2 cache	Up to 12 MB
Architecture and classification
Application	Desktop; Mobile
Technology node	65 nm to 45 nm
Microarchitecture	Core:; Merom (65 nm); Penryn (45 nm)
Instruction set	x86-64
Instructions	MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1
Physical specifications
Transistors	291 million to 820 million;
Cores	1, 2, or 4;
Packages	Flip-chip land grid array (FC-LGA); Micro pin grid array (mPGA); Flip-chip ball grid array (FC-BGA);
Sockets	Socket T (LGA 775); Socket M (μPGA 478MT); Socket P (μPGA 478MN); Micro-FCBGA (μBGA 479); Micro-FCBGA (μBGA 965);
Products, models, variants
Core names	Desktop: Allendale, Conroe, Kentsfield, Wolfdale, Yorkfield,; Mobile: Merom, Penryn, Penryn QC;
Product code names	C2S; C2D; C2E; C2Q; C2QX;
Models	Core 2 Solo; Core 2 Duo; Core 2 Quad; Core 2 Extreme;
Variant	Pentium Dual-Core;
History
Predecessors	Pentium D (desktop); Intel Core Solo/Duo (mobile)
Successor	Core i3/i5/i7
Support status
	Unsupported

Intel Core 2 is a processor family encompassing a range of Intel's mainstream 64-bit x86-64 single-, dual-, and quad-core microprocessors based on the Core microarchitecture. The single- and dual-core models are single-die, whereas the quad-core models comprise two dies, each containing two cores, packaged in a multi-chip module. The Core 2 range is the last flagship range of Intel desktop processors to use a front-side bus (FSB).

The introduction of Core 2 relegated the Pentium brand to the mid-range market, and reunified laptop and desktop CPU lines for marketing purposes under the same product name, which were formerly divided into the Pentium 4, Pentium D, and Core Solo/Duo brands.

The Core 2 processor line was introduced on July 27, 2006, comprising the Duo (dual-core) and Extreme (dual- or quad-core CPUs for enthusiasts), and in 2007, the Quad (quad-core) and Solo (single-core) sub-brands. Intel Core 2 processors with vPro technology (designed for businesses) include the dual-core and quad-core branches.

Although Woodcrest processors are also based on the Core 2 architecture, they are available under the Xeon brand. From December 2006, all Core 2 processors were manufactured from 300-millimeter plates at Fab 12 factory in Arizona and at Fab 24-2 in County Kildare, Ireland.