We were able to run both a Core Duo and a Core 2 Duo chip through CNET Labs' suite of performance benchmarks to see if the new processors lived up to Intel's claims. To be sure the platforms were identical, we tested both chips in the same Intel-provided whitebook; the comparison isn't strictly apples-to-apples, though, because we tested a top-of-the-line 2.33GHz Core 2 Duo processor against a slightly slower 2.16GHz Core Duo processor. Nevertheless, the Core 2 Duo chip ran 27 percent faster than the Core Duo chip on our iTunes encoding test, which almost exclusively measures a laptop's CPU capabilities. The other subsystems--chipset, memory, hard drive--play a larger role in our new multitasking and Photoshop tests; the Core 2 Duo laptop ran between 13 percent and 14 percent faster on those two tests than the Core Duo reference system, respectively.

Application tests
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)

Multitasking test

iTunes test

Photoshop CS2 test

Intel Core Duo

272

219

387

Intel Core 2 Duo

234

172

336

Games tests
(Longer bars indicate better performance)

Quake 4

F.E.A.R.

Intel Core Duo

37

18

Intel Core 2 Duo

36

18

System configurations:

Intel Core Duo
Windows XP Media Center; 2.16GHz Intel Core Duo T2600; 1GB DDR2 SDRAM PC5300 666MHz; ATI Mobility Radeon x1600 512MB; Hitachi Travelstar 7K100 100GB 7,200rpm

Intel Core 2 Duo
Windows XP Media Center; 2.33GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7600; 1GB DDR2 SDRAM PC5300 666MHz; ATI Mobility Radeon x1600 512MB; Hitachi Travelstar 7K100 100GB 7,200rpm

In short, initial results from CNET Labs indicate that Core 2 Duo chips are showing some modest improvements over previous-generation Intel processors, but so far it's not looking to be a dominant victory. Battery life remained essentially unchanged, which is more or less what Intel promised one month ago.

We are working to get our hands on the four other members of Intel's Core 2 Duo line of laptop processors, and we'll report back as soon as we've put them through the paces. Meanwhile, CNET is kicking off our mobile Core 2 Duo coverage with reviews of the Dell XPS M1710 and Gateway M255E; reviews of systems from Alienware and bargain manufacturer PC Club, as well as other vendors, will post throughout the week. Keep an eye on our Core 2 Duo page for the latest about the new processor from CNET News and Reviews.

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