Difference Between Xeon and Core 2 Duo

Xeon vs Core 2 Duo

Xeon and Core 2 Duo belong to the many processor classifications of Intel. As with classifications, they were created to group certain products together. The main difference between Xeon and Core 2 Duo processors is the Xeons ability to work in a multi-processor environment; this means you can have two Xeon processors on the same motherboard, something which the Core 2 Duo processors cannot do.

Multiple processors aren’t the same as multiple cores. Core 2 Duo processors are dual core processors, which mean that each processor has two separate functioning cores inside. There are also dual core Xeon processors, which are pretty much the same as their Core 2 Duo equivalent. Xeon processors shine when used in groups. For example, if you use two dual core Xeons on a single computer, you effectively get four cores on one system. Core 2 Duos would not be able to match that. The downside to this capability is price as a similarly specced Xeon sells for way more than a Core 2 Duo.

As you may have already figured out, Xeon processors do not use the same motherboard as Core 2 Duos. Typical Xeon motherboards have more than one processor slot and ample space for memory modules. This raises the price of a Xeon based system even further as these components are more complicated and do not benefit from economies of scale due to the much smaller production numbers than parts for Core 2 Duo.

Xeon processors are intended for heavy use applications like servers and workstations that benefit a lot from parallel processing. In contrast, Core 2 Duo processors are intended for the general public as a typical processor for general computing. Even when using a Xeon based system, most home users would not reap great performance gains as most applications are not yet optimized for parallel computing. Core 2 Duo processors still provide the best bang for the buck between the two as choosing a Xeon based system would only increase the performance gain slightly, if at all, but the increase in price is quite significant.

Summary:

1.Xeon is capable of multi-processor operation while Core 2 Duo isn’t
2.Xeons are more expensive than Core 2 Duos
3.Xeon uses more expensive components than Core 2 Duo does
4.Xeon is optimized for servers while Core 2 Duos are for typical desktops

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