Intel Core 2

The Core 2 brand refers to a range of intel consumer 64 bit single- and dual-core and 2x2 (Multi-Chip Module) quad-core cpu with the x86-64 instruction set, based on the Intel , derived from the laptop processor. two interconnected cores, each similar to those branded . The 2x2 dual-die quad-core CPU had two separate dual-core dies (CPUs)—next to each other—in one quad-core package. The Core 2 relegated the brand to a , and reunified laptop and desktop CPU lines, which previously had been divided into the Pentium .

The Core microarchitecture returned to lower clock rate and improved processors' usage of both available clock cycles and power compared with preceding Core microarchitecture provides more efficient decoding stages, execution units, , and buses, reducing the Core 2-branded , while increasing their processing capacity. Intel's CPUs have varied very wildly in power consumption according to clock rate, architecture and semiconductor process, shown in the tables.

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

The brand became immediately successful. The processors were introduced into Apple's popular MacBook series of notebooks, at the time Apple CEO justified the entire switch to Intel from IBM's processors by the Core 2 series' ability to provide high performance at low power consumption, renaming the "PowerBook" series to MacBook to note their lowered power consumption. The series of processors reasserted Intel's role in the processor market after a period in which processors began significantly encroaching on Intel's market share. The processor series became so successful that AnandTech Senior Editor Gary Kay coined the phrase "Conroe" as a verb to describe the releasing of a product that eclipses the competition in a previously hotly contested market.