Intel has announced their new Core2 Duo (dual core) processor brand for their upcoming Conroe and Merom desktop and notebook micro processors.

Dual core processors are based on a newly designed Intel Core microarchitecture and will include two processing cores per chip, hence the ‘Duo’ addition.

The highest performing processor will be called the Core2 Extreme and is aimed at gamers.

These new processors are based in 65nm (nanometer) fabrication and this reduction in size coupled with new designs for these processors will deliver higher-performing, more energy-efficient processors that will spur more capable, stylish, silent and smaller mobile and desktop PCs while saving on electricity usage.

The dual-core processors will include a large integrated cache called Intel Advanced Smart Cache that includes a unique design for faster performance on memory intensive applications.

Consumers and businesses will also be able to purchase these processors as part of Intel’s market-focused platforms, a collection of Intel hardware and software technology innovation designed and tested together and tailored to specific computing needs. Intel offers wireless computing, in-home entertainment or business productivity platforms through the company’s Intel Centrino Duo mobile technology, Intel Viiv technology and Intel vPro technology brands respectively, all of which are powered by versions of these new processors.

Intel also states that they will support such features as enhanced security, virtualization and manageability built right into the processors.