How Does Intel Measure Core 2 Duo Speeds?

arew264 · 12-16-2006, 05:33 PM

I was wondering how intel measures their core 2 duo speeds. I know this isnt really a linux question, but I figure people here will know.

If I bought a 2.1 GHz Core 2 Duo processor, does that mean there are:
two cores operating at 1.05 GHz
or
two cores operating at 2.1GHz

From a marketing perspective, you would expect the first, but when you consider that the clock speed is the rate at which a cpu cycles......

AUGH, my brain starts looping. Anyone know?

Hammett · 12-16-2006, 06:04 PM

I really don't know, but that's a good question to ask, but since there's only one CPU, I guess each core runs at 1.05GHz.
I don't know if Intel considers each core as a CPU and both run at 2.1GHz. This could be as well a reasonable argument, because a CPU running at 1.05GHz is not that much, and probably could not be able to run so smooth on several applications.

I know I haven't added any light to the question, but I'm really clueless as well. It could be both. I think more of the second option. 2 cores running each at 2.1GHz.

Electro · 12-16-2006, 06:08 PM

Clocks for any multi-processor system is not cumulative. If it states 2.1 GHz, it is actually two 2.1 GHz. Intel is not going by clock anymore which is a good thing.

In the Core 2 Duo processor, Intel actually placed two single core chips for this new type of chip.