It means it has 2 Cores , aka its a dual core processor but each core has 2 threads (HT technology). It just makes it more efficient and it will behave like a C2Q !

Yes its called HT. It has been possible since era of Pentium 4 . Currently at most it can support 2 threads. 1 core can have up to 2 threads , it can change , depending on how technology comes


I think the q9550 series can still take it. Again its for benchmarks , if you notice its just few more fps or few more additional scores. quad cores really have 4 cores vs 2 cores with 2 threads.