The obvious choice is the LM7805 (or if the load current is below 100mA – 78L05) linear voltage regulator ..
Of course, if you are concern about efficiency and temperature issues (heatsink), you can have a look at switching step-down voltage regulators (they may require some external components such as inductor etc.)..
All depends on the application ..
Rgds,
IanP
Mate, you haven't done your homework ..
The 78-family has two voltage regulators that can handle current above 2A:
78S05 - 2A
78T05 - 3A
However, you should really consider switching regulators and the LM2575T can be a good candidate for this job ..
Rgds,
IanP
LM2575 isn't capable of delivering 2A, you have to use a LM2576 instead. Also this first generation Simple Switcher has a rather limited efficiency of about 80%, newer devices as LM2676 are performing better. LM25xx parts are cheap and widely available, but may require a small heatsink for 5V/2A.
sorry but you need to dissipe (12-5)*2 = 14W of power
any linear regulator 78xx will melt...
you must use a switching regulator
the max1649 is a good candidate, and is available in pdip or soic package, easy to soldier...
(and also as samples... )
you can use whatever stuff which does that job.
the point here is whether you need an efficient one or not.
LM1085 is a linear device compared to 2576 which is a switcher,but for an extra price of 0.38$,which should be worth when efficiency is concerned, and yeah,consider the global economic crisis too. .