Closer Look at Core 2 Duo E7200
Although the new dual-core Core 2 Duo E7200 formally belongs to Wolfdale processor family, it is still very different from its elder brothers from E8000 series. Since this CPU is targeted for a "lower" market segment, Intel did the same thing to it, as they did to Core 2 Duo E4000 family: namely, they limited some of their functionality. I am sure you can guess what features these were: smaller L2 cache and lower processor bus frequency. The L2 cache of the new Core 2 Duo E7200 has been reduced from 6MB to 3MB, and its default bus speed is 1067MHz instead of 1333MHz.
Although Core 2 Duo E7200 is currently the only representative of the E7000 family, it will evidently include new CPUs like that very soon. Especially since 45nm cores with 3MB L2 cache memory is no exotics: Intel uses them a lot. In particular, this processor manufacturer uses them for their quad-core Core 2 Quad Q9300 processors.
So, Intel processor line-up already includes six types of dual-core processors on Core micro-architecture. The table below offers brief specifications for all of them for your reference:
Note that Core 2 Duo E7200 differs from the full-featured Wolfdale by the fact that it has Virtualization technology disabled, which is yet another indication of this processor’s functional limitations from Intel’s stand point.
The nominal clock frequency of the Core 2 Duo E7200 is set at 2.53GHz, which is even lower than the frequency of the youngest Wolfdale processor from the E8000 series. So this CPU will hardly be able to compete even with Core 2 Duo E8200: Core 2 Duo E7200 loses to the latter almost in every specification aspect. However, there is nothing to be surprised with here, since Core 2 Duo E7200 shouldn’t really compete against the E8000 family. It came to replace the Core 2 Duo E4000 line-up. So, if we compare Core 2 Duo E7200 and Core 2 Duo E4700 side by side, the picture will be completely different:
| | Core 2 Duo E7200 | Core 2 Duo E4700 |
| Codename | Wolfdale | Allendale |
| Nominal frequency | 2.53 GHz | 2.6 GHz |
| Bus frequency | 1067 MHz | 800 MHz |
| Multiplier | 9.5x | 13x |
| L2 cache | 3 MB | 2 MB |
| Cores | 2 | 2 |
| Packaging | LGA775 | LGA775 |
| Production process | 45 nm | 65 nm |
| TDP | 65 W | 65 W |
| Enhanced Intel Speedstep | Yes | Yes |
| Intel 64 | Yes | Yes |
| Intel Virtualization Technology | None | None |
| SIMD instructions support | MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSE4.1 | MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3 |
| Transistors | 410 mln. | 291 mln. |
| Die size | 107 sq. mm | 143 sq. mm |
| Official price | $133 | $133 |
Although the new Core 2 Duo E7200 yields a little bit to Core 2 Duo E4700 in terms of clock frequency, it boasts a number of advantages: larger L2 cache, faster bus, and a more advanced core from the micro-architectural standpoint.
The diagnostic CPU-Z utility provides some information on the newcomer.
Namely, it indicates that the Core 2 Duo E7200 test sample belongs to M0 revision. This marking is typical of all Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Quad processors with artificially reduced amount of L2 cache memory. The nominal Vcore for our test processor sample was set at 1.2V, with the maximum nominal voltage setting being a pretty high value of 1.3625V.
When we talk about Core 2 Duo E7200 its exterior appearance also catches your eye, as it differs from that of its dual-core 45nm counterparts. There are much fewer electronic components hanging from the bottom of the chip:
Left - Core 2 Duo E7200, right - Core 2 Duo E8200
