What is the difference between a core duo and a core 2 duo processor

Core 2 Duo is a second generation dual core architecture. Intel switched to a smaller die mask making the chips faster. Cache size increased also. They also redid some of the motherboard support chips further optimizing performance. Speed difference is maybe 25% increased performance but your mileage will vary. The architecture is going to change again this summer with another expect 40% performance bump. They'll probably call those Core 3 but who knows? Intel seems to go out of their way to confuse the customer with their naming and numbering schemes.

Core 2 Duo is the second generation architecture os the Core Duo architecture.....essentially the Core 2Duo is better in power consumption and a marginally little better performance...other than these thereins not much diffrerece..