| New technologies are always becoming old ones with | | | | and was upgraded into a 45nm chip in 2007. |
| the passage of time and the development of | | | | Theoretically, a lower nanometer chip is more efficient |
| improved versions. This holds true for computer | | | | and runs cooler and faster than a chip with a higher |
| components, particularly central processing units or | | | | nm. |
| CPUs. Next generation CPUs always follow a | | | | While both CPUs use two processing cores which |
| downward path from fame. With the release of a | | | | give them the operating power of two combined |
| new line of CPUs, the old "next generation" CPUs | | | | single-core CPUs, the Pentium D and Core 2 Duo do |
| become standard CPUs and are eventually rendered | | | | not have the same number of chips. Pentium D uses |
| obsolete. | | | | two processing cores on two separate dies or chips. |
| One important development in CPU technology is the | | | | The two Pentium D cores therefore have their own |
| upgrade from 32-bit processing to 64-bit processing. A | | | | cache. This architecture allows Pentium D to run |
| 64-bit processor was made possible with the release | | | | multiple programs simultaneously without an adverse |
| of the dual core and multi-core processors. Intel's | | | | effect on processor speed. On the contrary, Core 2 |
| Pentium D dual core processor and its big brother, the | | | | Duo uses two processing cores on the same die. As |
| Core 2 Duo dual core processor, were released just | | | | such, if one core needed more resources, it no longer |
| one year apart that many are unable to tell the | | | | had to wait for the other core to activate and handle |
| difference between the two. | | | | the extra load like in the case of the Pentium D |
| The Pentium D and Core 2 Duo are actually very | | | | processor. |
| similar to each other. Both are dual core 64-bit | | | | The Front Side Bus (FSB) speeds of the Pentium D |
| processors capable of 64-bit processing. In addition, | | | | and Core 2 Duo also vary. Pentium D can have FSB |
| both use Intel's LGA 775 pin layout. The fact that two | | | | speeds of 800Mhz or 1,066Mhz. Core 2 Duo |
| CPUs are both dual core processors does not mean | | | | processors are faster. They start out with an |
| that they are the same, however. So what is the | | | | 1,066Mhz FSB speed while the 45nm chips can run at |
| difference between Intel's Pentium D and Core 2 Duo | | | | an FSB speed of 1,333Mhz. Higher FSB speeds are |
| processors? | | | | more advantageous. They enhance the |
| In terms of release dates, Pentium D was released | | | | communication between the CPU and computer RAM. |
| earlier -- in 2005 -- than Core 2 Duo which came a | | | | For the average computer user, these differences do |
| year later in 2006. Pentium D initially came out as a | | | | not count much. But for those with greater computing |
| 90nm chip and evolved into a 65nm chip. The Core 2 | | | | needs, the Core 2 Duo processor is a finer CPU to |
| Duo, on the other hand, started out as a 65nm chip | | | | own than the Pentium D. |