Where can I find information such as processor speed, processor number, cache size, chipset compatibility, pricing, and product order codes?
Information about Intel® processors can be found by searching the processor products database. If you are unable to locate (search or browse) either the Intel® processor that you are looking for, please send us your feedback.

For more information about Intel® Core™ Solo processors please refer to the following:

• Processor Spec Finder
• Intel® Processor Numbers
• Mobile performance
• Virtualization technology
• Intel® Processor Identification Utility

What does “Maximum System TDP” mean?
Maximum System TDP is the aggregate of the maximum TDP values for the Processor(s), MCH, and ICH of the grouping you have chosen or the search feature has found. Note that MCHs & ICHs may have varying TDP values depending on the number of active memory channels, the front-side bus speed, and other such factors. Please consult the respective Thermal Design Guides for the parts in question. For the sake of safe estimates, we have always chosen the highest possible TDP values.


What's the difference between Max TDP and Stepping TDP?
For processors, the TDP will sometimes vary depending on the stepping of the processor. The Max TDP is the highest TDP value of all the steppings. Stepping TDP is the TDP for that particular stepping of the processor.


What does “Intel® SIPP” mean?
Intel® Stable Image Platform Program, established in 2003. Delivers standardized HW platform and image stability for 1 year after product launch.


What does Halogen Free Mean?
Halogen Free implies the following: Bromine and/or chlorine in materials that may be used during processing, but do not remain within the final product are not included in this definition. The halogens fluorine (F), iodine (I), and astatine (At) are not restricted by this standard. “BFR/CFR and PVC-Free” Definition: An article must meet all of the following requirements to be defined as “BFR/CFR and PVC-Free”:

1. All PCB laminates must meet Br and Cl requirements for low halogen as defined in IPC-4101B
2. For components other than PCB laminates, all homogeneous materials must contain < 900 ppm (0.09%) of Bromine [if the Bromine (Br) source is from BFRs] and < 900 ppm (0.09%) of Chlorine [if the Chlorine (Cl) source is from CFRs or PVC. Higher concentrations of Br and Cl are allowed in homogenous materials of components other than PCB laminates as long as their sources are not BFRs, CFRs, PVC.
3. Although the elemental analysis for Br and Cl in homogeneous materials can be performed by any analytical method with sufficient sensitivity and selectivity, the presence or absence of BFRs, CFRs or PVC must be verified by any acceptable analytical techniques that allow for the unequivocal identification of the specific Br or Cl compounds, or by appropriate material declarations agreed to between customer and supplier.

What is the difference between dual core and Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor?
Intel® Core™2 Duo processor is a brand name. Dual core refers to how many physical cores are in the processor.

What is the required voltage a processor consumes?
To find the voltage that an Intel® processor consumes, check the "Processor Specifications" section within Processor Spec Finder for the processor in question. Within the Processor Specification section you will find a link to the product documentation.


Is Intel® Core™ Duo processor 32 bit or 64 bit technology?
To verify whether or not an an Intel® processor is 32 bit or 64 bit capable, check the "Supported Features" section within Processor Spec Finder to see if Intel® EM64T is listed. If so, the processor in question is 64 bit capable.

64-bit computing on Intel® architecture requires a computer system with a processor, chipset, BIOS, operating system, device drivers and applications enabled for Intel® 64 architecture. Processors will not operate (including 32-bit operation) without an Intel 64 architecture-enabled BIOS. Performance will vary depending on your hardware and software configurations. See http://www.intel.com/technology/intel64/index.htm for more information including details on which processors support Intel® EM64T or consult with your system vendor for more information.


What is the difference between multi-core architecture and Hyper-Threading (HT Technology) Technology?
HT Technology is limited to a single core using existing execution resources more efficiently to better enable threading, whereas multi-core capability provides two complete sets of execution resources to increase compute throughput. Any application that has been threaded for HT Technology should deliver great performance when run on an Intel multi-core processor-based system. Accordingly, users will be able to take advantage of many existing applications that are already optimized for two threads from the earliest days of Intel’s transition to multi-core architectures across its desktop, mobile and server processor product lines.


Will my application work on a multi-core system if my code is not threaded?
Intel’s tradition of backwards compatibility goes back to its earliest processors and continues today. Any application that will run on a single core Intel processor will run on an Intel multi-core processor. However, in order for an application to take advantage of the multi-core capabilities, the code should be multithreaded.


What applications are good candidates to be moved from serial to multithreaded to experience performance gains on multi-core systems?
First, any program that is in a class of applications where threading is already relatively common – video encoding, 3D rendering, video/photo editing and high performance computing/workstation applications. These applications are especially amenable to thread level parallelism because many of their computations can run simultaneously. Second, though most games are single-threaded today, gaming applications also can benefit from multithreading. For example, physics and artificial intelligence (AI) can run on separate threads, potentially leading to a more realistic and challenging gaming environment. Finally, Intel has plans to quickly transition to multi-core architecture across all of its product lines and most industry watchers expect processor clock speeds to level off in the years ahead. The implication is that, in the near future, threading and concurrency will be increasingly important in boosting the performance of all software.


Besides using threaded applications, when else might end users experience a performance gain on multi-core systems?
Multitasking users or those working in environments marked by lots of background processing also should benefit from multi-core systems. Behind-the-scenes processing is increasingly the norm in business computing environments. Examples include users who run background data mining queries while working on other tasks in the foreground or corporate IT departments that unobtrusively update software, troubleshoot hardware or perform virus scanning and other management tasks over the corporate network.


How will I be able to identify the new segmented Intel® Centrino® brand?
Please refer to the Intel® Centrino® Processor Technology Web site to see what the different Intel® Centrino® processor stickers look like.


If Intel® Celeron® M processors and Intel® Centrino® processor technology are both part of Intel's mobility family, what are the differences?
Intel® Centrino® processor technology represents a combination of Intel's best mobile technologies delivering all four vectors of mobility: performance, integrated wireless, enables great battery life, and enables thinner/lighter form factors.

The Intel® Celeron® M brand represents only the Intel® Celeron® M processor. Designed for mobility, the Intel® Celeron® M processor delivers exceptional value with a balance of mobile processor technology enabling thinner and lighter systems.


What is Micro-Ops Fusion?
Micro-Ops Fusion is a technology that uses fewer CPU resources to execute operations than traditional microprocessors by merging CPU operations together prior to execution in order to increase performance and efficiency. When the micro-operations are fused they use less processor resources in order to handle the same number of operations. Two fused micro-operations occupy a single resource and thus they make the machine behave as a wider machine. Micro-ops fusion delivers efficiency in both performance and power management.

Analogy: A taxi pooling multiple riders into a single trip to save time and energy.


What is Advanced Instruction Prediction?
Advanced instruction prediction is a technology that allows the processor to study the past behavior of programs and intelligently anticipate what instructions will be needed next. The processor can line up instructions for execution before a program requests them. By anticipating changes in program flow rather than merely responding to them, the processor improves performance and efficiency. Predicting branches correctly is one of the areas of high leverage for both performance and power. On top of the standard Bi-Model/Global predictor the processor also includes a loop detector and an indirect branch target buffer.

Analogy: A word processing program that completes a word after you type the first few letters, improving speed and efficiency.


What is the dedicated stack manager?
The dedicated stack manager significantly reduces the number of micro-operations required for the "overhead" of stack management inside the processor. Traditional processors repeatedly interrupt program execution to maintain their own internal accounting. Processors with a dedicated stack manager use sophisticated, specialized-hardware enabling the processor to execute program instructions without interruption, using less power.

Certain instructions use the architectural stack as source of operands. In those instructions there's an overhead work of managing the stack on top of the actual operation that needs to occur. Typically those overhead operations are done using the main machine flow which is a very inefficient way from both power and performance perspective. There are advanced synchronization mechanisms that make sure that the stack pointer value is visible to the software just when it's needed.


What is the power-optimized processor system bus?
The power-optimized processor system bus remains powered down until it senses incoming data form the chipset, allowing to the processor to consume less power. In a typical microarchitecture, a processor has its bus turned on even when it is not in use. With Intel processors, portions of the bus are turned on only when they are needed. Architectural and circuit innovations enabled this power-optimized processor system bus technology which lowers power through reduced voltage swing and tighter buffer management.


What is intelligent power distribution?
Most machines employ some level of hardware clock gating to reduce power consumption. Intel processors implement finer granularity hardware gating mechanisms that allows turning on hardware units partially based on program demand.

Analogy: A motion sensor that turns lights on when you enter a room and shuts them off when you exit.


What is the large, power-aware Secondary Cache?
The large cache allows a significant reduction in memory data latency providing a big performance improvement. The power-aware cache implements several features to reduce cache power consumption. Traditional microprocessors run the cache as fast as possible, the processor cache on the processor runs slightly slower to save energy and cut down on electricity leakage enabling longer battery life. Special circuit and micro-architectural innovations were implemented in order to reduce power consumption. For example the cache unit keeps track of the last entry that was accessed such that repeating accesses to the same location will not have to lookup the array, thus eliminating a high power operation.


What is deeper sleep alert state?
Deep Sleep and Deeper Sleep Alert States are very low power states the processor can enter during periods of inactivity while still maintaining its context. The Deeper Sleep Alert State is functionally identical to the Deep Sleep Alert State but at a significantly lower voltage providing added benefits of power savings and longer battery life. The Deeper Sleep Alert State is automatically enabled on the platform through the I/O Controller Hub component and the voltage regulator, so there is no user interaction required. This feature maintains processor performance characteristics while taking advantage of the increased power savings.


What is mobile packaging technology?
Flip-chip packaging eliminated the wire-bond approach in favor of mounting the die directly to a substrate, improving power delivery and reducing impedance.

The mobile Micro-FCPGA (micro flip chip pin grid array) and Micro-FCBGA (micro flip chip ball grid array) packaging technology provides significant improvements in power delivery and pin inductance compared to their predecessors resulting in dramatically improved performance. The packages incorporate separate power and ground planes and on-package capacitance needed at higher speeds - reducing board space for the implementation. Space savings contribute to smaller designs and more mobility.


What is streaming SIMD extensions 2 (SSE2)?
The microarchitecture includes the new extensions to SIMD capabilities that MMX™ technology and SSE technology delivered by adding 144 new instructions. These instructions include 128-bit SIMD integer arithmetic and 128-bit SIMD double-precision floating-point operations. These new instructions reduce the overall number of instructions required to execute a particular program task and as a result can contribute to an overall performance increase. They accelerate a broad range of applications, including video, speech, and image, photo processing, encryption, financial, engineering and scientific applications.


What is an sSpec Number?
An sSpec number is a five-digit code used to identify products. Products are differentiated by their unique characteristics (e.g., core speed, L2 cache size, package type, etc.).


How do I obtain software and drivers?
Any Software needed for your processor would be included in your system BIOS.

• BIOS updates – why can’t I find them?
  Any BIOS updates released specifically for your processor would be included in BIOS updates for your motherboard. For compatibility issues, check to see if your motherboard supports your processor and if a specific revision of BIOS is needed for processor support. Please refer to your system or motherboard manufacturer's Web site to find updates for your specific board.
• Video drivers. Audio drivers.
  These type of drivers are specific to your motherboard, and not your processor. So to find the correct drivers for your system, you will need to see your system or motherboard manufacturer's Web site.
• Chipset software
  Software designed for your motherboard’s chipset would be found on the Intel Chipset support site. It is not available for download from the Intel® processor support site.
• Processor Identification Utilities
  There are two utilities designed to help you identify your Intel® processor. Download them here.

What troubleshooting steps should I take if my system won't boot or shuts down?
This information is intended only as a guide to resolve various issues with laptops and/or notebooks with mobile Intel® processors. Ultimately, your laptop or notebook system manufacturer or your mobile motherboard manufacturer may have the very latest information to help resolve your issues.

Important Note: Disassembling, assembling, upgrading and troubleshooting computers should be performed only by a computer professional since the electronic devices may cause serious damage to the installer, the system and its components if it is done improperly. Before attempting to disassemble or assemble a notebook or laptop computer, carefully review the documentation specific for the notebook or laptop computer and its related components. Make sure that you will not be voiding the warranty of the system by opening the laptop or notebook computer or replacing any of the components inside. Lastly, make sure to follow Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) procedures.

• Determine if the system worked before.
• Determine if there have been any recent changes. Often, recent changes are the cause of the problem. If recent changes have been done, verify the configuration of those changes. If you installed a new device, suspect that the new device is causing the problem. This can be done by replacing the suspect device with a known working device and trying that device in a known working machine.
• Check the LCD panel brightness and contrast controls.
• If you are trying to run the laptop from battery, try running the laptop from the AC adapter. If it works with the AC adapter, you have a problem with your battery or charging system. Contact your laptop manufacturer or vendor.
• Use a voltmeter or an AC tester to confirm that there is adequate AC voltage at the wall outlet.
• An AC adapter can be tested with a voltmeter (measuring DC voltage) whereas the output should be +/-.3 volts.
• Check for shorts and overloads inside computer by removing nonessential items such as PC cards and drives, just to see if the machine attempts a Power-On Self Test.
• Make sure that the laptop computer supports the processor that you are installing including type of processor, speed and voltage. Not all processors are backwards compatible.
• If you just installed a processor, make sure that you have inserted the processor completely in the socket and that the processor is oriented correctly. In addition, make sure that the screw that locks the processor in place is adjusted correctly. Check the laptop service manual for the correct processor orientation.
• Any time you add or remove and replace a processor, consult with your notebook or laptop vendor to make sure the proper thermal interface material (TIM) is used.
• Swap any detachable RAM and the processor with known good replacements one at a time. If one of these components is suspect, try it in another laptop computer. In addition, if you installed RAM into the notebook computer, make sure that the RAM is on the tested memory list for the laptop computer.
• If the problem still exists, you need to contact your notebook vendor or manufacturer.

This applies to:

Intel® Centrino® Processor Technology Intel® Core™ Solo processor