Intel® Core™2 Duo and Core™2 Extreme
Bluetooth 14 Jul 2006

Background

The Intel Core™2 Duo and Core™2 Extreme are the latest processors from Intel that challenges the AMD AM2.

Based on the Intel Core Microarchitecture design which replaces the old Netburst architecture, the Intel Core 2 will be the standard for desktop processors. We will not elaborate on the Core Microarchitecture as we have covered it here before. Some of them are EM64T, Virtualization Technology, and Execute Disable Bit. The release will also introduce LaGrande Technology, SSE4, Enhanced SpeedStep Technology, and Active Management Technology (iAMT2).

Two series will be available and they are the Core2 Duo and Core2 Extreme.

In conjuction with this article, we have written three reviews of mainboards running the X6800 processor. The three boards uses 3 different chipsets - Intel 975x, 945P and VIA PT880Pro. Check out how they compare to an o/c AM2 4000+ (2.81GHz).

REVIEWS of 3 boards with Intel Core 2 Extreme X6800 (just in case you missed it! Some zoners are blind, can't blame them).
ASUS P5W DH Deluxe
ASRock 775Dual-VSTA
ASRock ConRoeXFire-eSATA2

Core™2 Duo and Core™2 Extreme

Core 2 Duo is to be built on a 65 nm process. Intel has claimed that Conroe will provide 40% more performance at 40% less power relative to the Pentium D.

The Core 2 Duo processors runs at 1066FSB, that is it runs at 266MHz FSB (266x4=1066). The top end model is rated at 2.93GHz and it has a multiplier of 11. It has 4M cache. Next in the row is E6700, 2.67GHz, 4M Cache. E6600 2.4GHz,4M L2 Cacahe. E6400 is rated 2.13 and E6300 at 1.86GHz. Both are 2M cache. The Core2 Duo will have a 65W TDP while the Core2 Extreme will be at a TDP of 75W.

The following chart is the pricing of the processors in quantities of 1 thousand on 23rd July.

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