Intel Core 2 Duo
Incomplete
Components
| Type | Name | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 SLB9K (3167MHz) | 2008 |
Memory
| Module | Standard | Format | Size | Used | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingston KVR800D2N6/2G 2048MB | PC2-6400, DDR2-800 | DDR2 DIMM | 2048MB | 2 of 2 | 4096MB |
| Total | 2 | 4096MB |
Other Components
| Type | Name |
|---|---|
| CPU Cooler | Cooler Master LGA 775/Socket T CPU Fan & Heatsink |
| Power Supply | ?? |
| Case | ?? |
Intel Core 2 Duo / Windows XP Era (2006–2009)
The Core 2 Duo marked Intel's return to form after the hot, power-hungry Pentium 4 Netburst era. Built on the 65nm (then 45nm) Conroe/Wolfdale architecture, it delivered a massive generational leap in performance-per-watt. Paired with Windows XP — still the dominant OS of the era — these machines ran fast, stable, and cool.
This was peak XP-era gaming and productivity hardware — fast enough for demanding software, simple enough to repair and upgrade, and stable in a way that later Vista-era machines couldn't always claim.
While XP was still dominant through 2007, by 2008-2009 Windows Vista was shipping on most new PCs, and Windows 7 launched in October 2009. So 2009 is a natural end point for a Windows XP machine
Typical specs of the period
- CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 / E8400 (2–3 GHz dual-core)
- RAM: 1–4 GB DDR2
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce 7/8 series or ATI Radeon X1000/HD 2000–4000
- OS: Windows XP SP2/SP3 (32-bit)
High-end specs of the period
- CPU: Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770 (3.2 GHz quad) / Core 2 Duo E8600 (3.33 GHz)
- RAM: 4GB DDR2-1066 (or 1200?) (XP 32-bit sees ~3.2GB regardless)
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 285 / ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2
Operation System
- Windows XP SP3