INTEL core 2 duo

Core 2 is an eighth-generation x86 architecture microprocessor produced by Intel based on an all-new CPU architecture called the Intel Core microarchitecture, which is the successor of Net Burst micro architecture that has powered most Intel processors since 2000. Core 2 also marks the retirement of Intel's Pentium brand name that has been used from 1993 and the reunion of Intel's notebook and desktop product lines since Pentium M was released apart from Pentium 4 in 2003.

The first wave of Core 2 processors was officially released on July 27, 2006. Like the Intel Core brand that it supersedes, Core 2 offers Duo (dual-core) and Solo (single-core) model names, then adds Extreme (high-end) models, and a confirmed Quad (quad-core) model is on the way. The base processors are codenamed "Conroe" (Desktop) and "Merom" (Portable); their variants have codenames such as "Kentfield" (quad-core Conroe) and "Penryn" (45nm Merom). Although the "Woodcrest" server CPUs is also based on Core micro architecture, they are marketed under the Xeon brand rather than Core 2.

Unlike NetBurst-based processors, such as the Pentium 4 and Pentium D, Core 2 does not stress designs based on extremely high clock speeds but rather improvements on other CPU features, including cache efficiency and number of cores. The power consumption of these processors is much lower than the Pentium desktop line of products. With a TDP of only 65 W, Core 2 has a significantly lower power consumption compared to its predecessor desktop chip the (Intel code named processor known as) Prescott's with a TDP of 130 W.

Intel Core 2 processors feature EM64T, Virtualization Technology, Execute Disable Bit, and SSSE3. The release also introduced LaGrande Technology, Enhanced Speed Step Technology, and Active Management Technology (iAMT2).

merchant account

A merchant account allows a business to accept credit cards, debit cards, gift cards and other forms of electronic payment. This is also widely known as payment processing or credit card processing.

Merchants, or business owners who receive payment for their goods or services, must apply for a merchant account. The merchant account may or may not be established based on several factors of which risk is the most important. Merchants who own businesses with poor or no credit may find it difficult to establish a merchant account.

Rates and fees

Merchant accounts are not free and fees are charged whenever a merchant processes a credit card for payment. These fees vary amongst providers but all fees are based on something called Interchange. Interchange are the base rates dictated by Visa and MasterCard from which all merchant account providers mark up their rates.

Interchange is made up of varying tiers. These tiers describe costs for different kinds of credit cards when processed under different kinds of circumstances. For example, a check card costs less than a consumer credit card which costs less than a business card. The method of how a credit card is processed changes which tier of Interchange is applied. For example, a swiped credit card costs less to process than one keyed into a credit card terminal.

The most common rates that affect merchants are mentioned below.