First of all core 2 duo is a 64 bytes processor oposed to the core duo wich is 32 bytes. You will be able tu run 64 bytes edition of xp and vista on a 64 bytes processor.Also, higher fsb means a higher data transfer rate of the cpu wich means larger amounts of data can travel to and from the processor. Larger amount of cahce means also better performance as the cache memory greatly influences cpu prefromance.

Well, I'm gonna be running Ubuntu. So is the Core 2 Duo not worth it?

The Core Duo (T2080) is a 32-bit dual core CPU on a 533 bus. The Core 2 Duo (T2350) is a 64-bit dual core CPU on a 533 bus. Besides being slightly faster, at equivalent speed, the core 2 is about 10% better overall in speed vs. the Core.

I'm a little confused. And the "Help me choose" thing doesn't help me choose. Besides the cache and clock speed, what's the difference between:

-"Intel® Pentium® dual-core proc T2080(1MB Cache/1.73GHz/533MHz FSB"?
-"Intel® Core™ processor DUO processor T2350 2MB Cache/1.86GHz"? --Is that 64 bit? And why is the FSB not listed?

And should the FSB be the same as the RAM's speed?

Message Edited by Johnny_K on 05-25-2007 01:30 PM

The Core 2 is a much more efficient CPU than the Pentium 4-based Pentium D. It can execute more instructions per clock cycle, while allowing a lower clock speed with resultant lower heat output and increased battery runtimes. There never was a Pentium D mobile CPU, so if you're seeing a notebook computer with one, it's a desktop CPU shoehorned into a mobile chassis.

The pentium Dual core is NOT a coreduo OR a Pentium D.

Its a mobile processor built using core duo technology but lacking the new instruction set. It is a 32-bit processor but the cache is not shared - meaning a 2mb cache is actually on two separate dies that the cores cannot cross access like with the coreduo and core2.

Bottom line is the pentium dual core will perform above that of a pentium M with similar specs but is far below the performance of a core2 duo chip.

The difference between the Core Duo and Core 2 Duo at the same speed is 10% or less - barely noticeable in most applications.