Pentium has been at the forefront of processor technology for since the 1990s. The Core 2 Duo and the Dual Core processor are two of the better processing units available. Choosing between them can be difficult, and the technical information provided can be confusing. Both are dual-core processors. The architecture between the two is very similar, but the Core 2 Duo is the performance dual-core line offered by Intel. In March 2009, the Pentium Dual Core processor was discontinued but can still be found on many resale sites online.
L2 Cache
The L2 cache is the amount of memory that can be stored in a processor for processing. The more memory available, the more functions your Central Processing Unit (CPU) can do at once. The Core 2 Duo offers L2 cache size ranging from 2 MB to 6 MB. The Dual Core offers only 1 or 2 MB L2 cache. The larger L2 cache in the Core 2 Duo results in about a 10 percent increase in benchmarking tests.
Front Side Bus
A processor's front-side bus (FSB) is what allows it to communicate with your system's random-access memory (RAM). The faster your front-side bus runs, the faster your processor can work in conjunction with your RAM, speeding up your computer. The Core 2 Duo hosts an FSB of up to 1333, while the Dual Core's FSB is listed at 800. The Dual Core is able to compensate for this disparity because it is easier to overclock than the Core 2 Duo.
Architecture
From a design standpoint, the Pentium Core 2 Duo and the Dual Core processors are very similar. The Core 2 Duo has a faster front-side bus and L2 cache but is essentially the same chip as the Core 2 Duo. The Dual Core processor also has some functions, such as virtualization, disabled. Virtualization is a technology that aids multiple operating systems in running at the same time on the same system.
Price
The Pentium Dual Core processors are Intel's economy line. The high-end Core 2 Duos can cost more than twice as much as a Dual Core.
Considerations
The Core 2 Duo is a faster processor with greater functionality. But if your motherboard will support it and you are skilled with hardware, you can overclock the Dual Core to speeds comparable to the Core 2 Duo. But you must be careful; overclocking voids the manufacturer's warranty and can damage your motherboard and your processor irrevocably.
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