Learning about the Core 2 Duo

(tags Windows, hardware, game)

I'm not yet ready to upgrade my computers just yet, but its always good to be knowledgeable. To run Unreal Tournament 3, my current rig Project Sugar just won't cut the mustard, I think. So I did a Wikipedia session on Intel "Core" processors.

It turns out that Core is at least two different things, a "Core Duo" and "Core 2 {Duo/Quad}" etc. "Core" 1 is a 32-bit processor, while "Core 2" is 64-bit. The Duo or Quad refers to the number of multiprocessing cores on the chip, 2 or 4. Also the Core family has good power consumption behavior, something around 60 W idle, 100W load. And it turns out one can use Windows XP 32-bit on a Core 2.

I've settled on the Core 2 family, because I don't intend to buy another computer within 3 years. What I need to do is find a Core 2 Duo, in my price range which is 2_0000 to 4_0000 yen. Then I can start selecting a motherboard and RAM. Then I keep that configuration data up to date until more about Unreal Tournament 3 is released.

I am totally confused with the Core 2 numbering scheme though.