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Written by Maxit
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Page 1 of 5 First of all, let's take a look
at the specifications and prices of these new processors based on Intel's new Core
technology:
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Processor |
Clock Speed
(GHz) |
L2 Cache
(MB) |
Bus Speed
(MHz) |
TDP
(W) |
Price
(US $) | |
Core 2 Extreme
X6800 |
2.93 |
4 |
1066 |
65 |
999 | |
Core 2 Duo E6700 |
2.67 |
4 |
1066 |
65 |
530 | |
Core 2 Duo E6600 |
2.4 |
4 |
1066 |
65 |
316 | |
Core 2 Duo E6400 |
2.13 |
2 |
1066 |
65 |
224 | |
Core 2 Duo E6300 |
1.86 |
2 |
1066 |
65 |
183 |
At present, the lineup of CPUs consists of 5 models. The crème de la crème of
the lineup is the Core 2 Extreme X6800 and is targeted for top of the range
enthusiast systems, whereas the rest of the Conroe
family consisting of the Core 2 Duo E6600 and E6700 are aimed at high end
systems. Last but not least, the 2 Allendale Core 2 Duo processors,
namely the E6300 and E6400 are targeted at mainstream systems.
It seems that the E6300 offers the best bang per buck, hence we decided to use
it in our preview. Apart from its lower amount of L2 cache compared to the
higher end processors, nothing separates it from the rest of the lineup except
its lower clock speed.
Some of the key features of the Core microarchitecture include:
- Dual-core design . The
CPU combines two independent cores working in parallel within the same
packaging. These cores work at the same clock speed and share 2MB L2
cache. They are connected to the chipset using the same Quad Pumped Bus
working at 1066MHz frequency and featuring 8.5GB/s bandwidth.
- Intel Wide Dynamic
Execution . Each of the two processor cores can process four
instructions per clock cycle.
- Intel Smart Memory Access . The enhanced data prefetch mechanism allows to reduce the idling time of
the processor execution pipeline.
- Intel Advanced Smart Cache . Intellectual L2 cache is shared between the two processor cores
depending on their load at the given moment of time. Moreover, the shared
L2 cache speeds up data transfer rate between the cores and reduces the
front side bus workload, because no data needs to be transferred via the
system memory any more.
- Intel Advanced Media Boost . The processor works faster with SSE3 instructions because it can perform
the binary operations with 128-bit SSE registers within one clock cycle.
- Intel Virtualization
Technology (Intel VT) . This virtualization technology allows modeling the work of several
virtual platforms on a single hardware system.
- Intel Enhanced Memory 64
Technology (Intel EM64T) . The processor supports x86-64 extensions
that allow addressing over 4GB of system RAM and support the work with
64-bit general purpose registers.
- Execute Disable Bit .
The OS is protected against harmful spyware and viruses that use buffer
overflow error to gain control over the system.
- Lower heat dissipation and
power consumption . Core 2 Duo processors are manufactured with the
newest 65nm technological process. Thanks to their architecture and a
number of power saving technologies they boast the typical heat
dissipation of 65W.
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