Selecting the Right Intel Socket P Processor for Your Computer
Laptop processors are designed to provide the computing power needed for productivity and entertainment while conserving as much energy as possible. Socket P by Intel, and the Core 2 Duo CPU that uses it, are solutions to this challenge. Whether you’re repairing or upgrading a laptop or designing something that's custom, socket P and Core 2 chips have many features, including a thermal design power that's as low as 35 watts.
What’s Socket P and do all Core 2s use it?
The Intel Socket P is a CPU socket, which is the physical interface between your motherboard and processor. Also known as a slot, this interface provides the mechanical and electrical connections between those components. This slot, in particular, supports 478 pins and has been designed by Intel for laptops and similar mobile computing solutions. Not all Core 2 CPUs, including the Core 2 Duo, use this slot, so you need to pair this interface precisely. The measurement for this connection is 1.38 by 1.38 inches or 3.5 by 3.5 centimeters.
Is Socket P compatible with Socket M and 478?
While P and M are similar in the Intel Core 2 and other CPUs supported, the M has larger dimensions and is thus neither mechanically nor electrically compatible. The 478 and P are physically compatible, so you could, for instance, use a water block designed for the 478 on a Core 2 Duo designed for P. Even though these slots are pin-compatible, they’re not electrically compatible, so you couldn’t slot a P Intel Core 2 processor to a 478 motherboard.
What’s the Core 2 Duo?
Core is a broad category of processors designed and manufactured by Intel. Intel Core 2 is a subset of that group and named such to differentiate it from the Pentium models. The Core 2 Duo is a particular CPU within that series. Its name reflects the fact that it has dual cores, which are two processing units that operate independently of each other. The particular chip used for this Intel Core 2 CPU is the Merom, as opposed to the Allendale, Conroe, Penryn, and Wolfdale, which are used for other Core 2 Duos.
What features does this CPU and slot pairing provide?
There are different distinct Core 2 Duo models manufactured for slot P. Depending on the Intel Core 2 model, clock rate can be as low as 1.4 GHz and as high as 2.6 GHz, and front-side bus frequencies range from 400 to 1066 MT/s. Features include:
- Virtualization: Shares resources across distinct workloads.
- Turbo Boost: For power-saving with added performance on demand.
- Enhanced SpeedStep: To minimize heat generation and power draw.
- Trusted Execution Technology: Provides a foundation for trust-based metrics and other security features.
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