Game Over? Core 2 Duo Knocks Out Athlon 64

Die Size And Transistor Count

The transistor count of a Core 2 Duo processor is considerably lower than the total amount required for a dual core Pentium D 900 processor. Thanks to the 65 nm manufacturing, the total die size is reduced as well, since a Pentium D 900 is powered by two Pentium 4 dies.

Power Management & Energy Saving

Intel has learned a lot from its mobility Pentium M processors Banias (90 nm) and Dothan (65 nm) - especially when energy requirements and energy saving are concerned. Most people are very sensitive to unreasonable energy requirements and component heat dissipation, because PCs must neither strain energy bills nor require noisy fans. Intel reacted and introduced a long number of energy management features into its new Core 2 desktop processors. The main hardware fundamentals for an energy efficient processor are the modern 65 nm manufacturing process (low-voltage operation), a reduced transistor count and a reduced die size.

2.93 GHz clock speed at only 1.3 V is impressive.

There are a couple of technologies that need to be mentioned in order to explain Core 2 Duo's energy management meachanisms:

• Intel SpeedStep technology-Technologie
• Ultra Fine Grained Power Control
• Split Busses
• PSI-2
• DTS
• PECI