Intel Core Duo ULV L2400

Intel Core Duo ULV L2400 is a mobile processor from the Core Duo (Yonah) generation, released in September 2006. It pairs two cores and two threads with a base clock of 1066 MHz and a thermal design power of just 9 watts, placing it firmly in the ultra-low-voltage segment. The processor is now end-of-life, and the database holds no benchmark scores or nearest rival data for it. Its average benchmark score is listed as 0, and its percentile ranking among all CPUs is 50, meaning it sits at the median of the dataset—but without any actual performance measurements, that percentile is more a placeholder than a meaningful metric.

Who Should Consider It

This processor is for users who need a low-power, low-heat solution for basic computing. Its 2 cores and 2 threads can handle simple office tasks, web browsing, and document editing without issue, provided the software is not demanding. The 9W TDP makes it suitable for fanless designs or systems with minimal cooling, such as thin-and-light laptops or embedded industrial PCs where power draw is a priority. The 1066 MHz base clock and lack of additional threads mean it is not appropriate for gaming, video editing, or any workload that scales with CPU frequency or core count. The 2 MB L2 cache is a reasonable size for its era, but the absence of an L3 cache and the reliance on DDR1 memory further cap its performance ceiling. If your primary concern is battery life and quiet operation rather than speed, this processor can still serve in a legacy system. However, given its end-of-life status and the lack of recorded performance data, it is not a sensible choice for a new build.

The processor’s 65 nm process node and 151 million transistors indicate a design that was efficient for its time, but the low clock speed dominates its behavior. The 50th percentile ranking in the database does not translate to any real-world performance insight because the average benchmark score is zero. In practical terms, the ULV L2400 is a dual-core part that will feel sluggish with modern operating systems and applications that assume higher clock speeds and more cache. It is best suited for a dedicated single-purpose system, such as a network appliance or a lightweight terminal, where the low TDP is an advantage.

How It Compares

The database lists no nearest rivals for this processor, and no benchmark scores are available. Consequently, a direct comparison against any other CPU cannot be made. The average benchmark score of 0 confirms that no performance measurements were recorded. The percentile ranking of 50 places it exactly at the median of all processors in the database, but this ranking is not based on its own performance—it is a positional label that carries no comparative weight without a score. Without rival data, it is not possible to say how it stacks up against a contemporary Pentium M or a later Core 2 Duo, nor can any lead or deficit be quantified. What the specification sheet does tell us is that this is a dual-core, dual-thread part at 1066 MHz with a 9W TDP, which places it in the low-power, low-performance segment of mobile CPUs. The absence of comparison data is itself a statement: the database does not have enough information to position this processor against others, so any performance claims would be speculation.

Power and Thermals

The 9W TDP is the defining thermal characteristic of this processor. It is an ultra-low-power design, and that figure directly implies the cooling solution required. A simple heatsink or a small low-profile fan is more than sufficient; passive cooling is plausible in many chassis. The 65 nm process node, while not advanced by modern standards, contributes to the low power draw because the clock speed is modest. The die size of 90 mm² and the transistor count of 151 million suggest a relatively simple, low-complexity core. The processor is built for mobile environments where heat dissipation and battery drain are critical constraints. The trade-off is that the low TDP comes with a proportionally low performance envelope. The thermal headroom is so generous that the processor will rarely throttle under load, but the load itself is limited by the clock speed and core count. For a builder, this means you can design a system with no active cooling, saving space and noise, but you must accept that the CPU will not accelerate beyond its 1066 MHz base clock.

FAQ

Q: Does this processor support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory support is listed as false in the specifications.

Q: What type of memory does it support?

A: It supports DDR1 memory.

Q: Does it have integrated graphics?

A: Integrated graphics are available on certain motherboards as a chipset feature, not directly on the processor.

Q: Is it still in production?

A: No, it is marked as end-of-life.

Q: What socket does it use?

A: It uses Intel Socket 479.

Q: How many cores and threads does it have?

A: It has 2 cores and 2 threads.

Platform and Compatibility

The processor is built for the Intel Socket 479, a mobile socket used in laptops and some small-form-factor systems. It is based on the Core architecture with the Yonah codename, which is a 65 nm design. Memory support is limited to DDR1, an older standard that caps bandwidth and capacity compared to later generations. The database does not list any PCIe information, so expansion capabilities are not specified. Integrated graphics are not on the CPU die; instead, they are provided by certain motherboards via the chipset, meaning the processor itself has no video output. The multiplier is locked, so overclocking is not possible. The release date of September 2006 places this part in the early dual-core mobile era, and its end-of-life status means it is no longer manufactured. For upgrade path, there is none: the socket is obsolete, and the processor is not compatible with any newer chipsets. The cache hierarchy consists of 64 KB of L1 and 2 MB of L2, with no L3 cache. Given these constraints, this is a closed platform with no forward compatibility.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

With two cores and two threads, this processor can execute exactly two threads simultaneously. There is no hyper-threading, so each core handles one thread. The base clock of 1066 MHz is low, which directly limits single-thread performance—the metric most important for legacy applications and basic responsiveness. Multi-thread performance is also constrained because only two cores are available, and they run at the same modest clock speed. The 2 MB L2 cache is present, but without an L3 cache, the processor relies on the DDR1 memory bus, which is slow by modern standards. In practice, single-threaded tasks like word processing or spreadsheet work will be acceptable for a system from 2006, but any modern application that expects higher clock speeds will feel unresponsive. Multi-threaded workloads that can use more than two threads will not benefit, as the processor simply cannot handle additional threads. The lack of benchmark data makes it impossible to quantify the single-thread versus multi-thread split, but the architectural parameters—2 cores, 2 threads, 1066 MHz—indicate that the processor is balanced but weak in both dimensions. The 50th percentile ranking in the database is a neutral placement, but without a score it does not translate into any performance advantage or deficit. For a user, this means the processor will not excel at any compute-heavy task, but it will handle light, single-threaded work with the efficiency expected of a 9W part.