Intel Core Duo Extreme is Released!

[Indybird]

Finally Intel has released what is now the fastest processor on the market! It runs at a beastly 2.93GHz on their core duo platform. This processor will blow AMD's current top processors out of the water. I'd be looking into getting one but its $1100 and I'm about to order the FX-60. :(

[Airbozo]

Finally Intel has released what is now the fastest processor on the market! It runs at a beastly 2.93GHz on their core duo platform. This processor will blow AMD's current top processors out of the water. I'd be looking into getting one but its $1100 and I'm about to order the FX-60. :(


SO far I have only seen benchmarks released by intel and when asked for one to bench, they were very dodgy about it (we are an intel partner), almost insisting we use their "recommended setup and tools". I am waiting for an independant benchmark test before deciding. Has anyone seen third party benchmarks on this proc?

BTW Intel is at MicroCenter in sunnyvale, CA. doing a release party today and tomorrow. Had to go ask some questions, but got the same info from the reps there about the benchmarks. They had this sweet indycar simulator running on a 42" screen and it did look impressive. Not sure what video card they were using (nvidia for sure), but it looked as realistic as it gets...

[Silenced_Coyote]

The Conroe benchmarks are everywhere since the Non Disclosure Agreement (NDA) was lifted (I think it was 2 weeks ago).
Here are some:

http://www.tomshardware.com/2006/07/14/core2_duo_knocks_out_athlon_64/

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2795

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2802

http://firingsquad.com/hardware/intel_core_2_performance/


Finally Intel has released what is now the fastest processor on the market! It runs at a beastly 2.93GHz on their core duo platform. This processor will blow AMD's current top processors out of the water. I'd be looking into getting one but its $1100 and I'm about to order the FX-60.

Why are you buying an FX-60??? You don't have to buy the top rated Core 2 Duo. In the AnandTech guide, they overclocked the E6300 (stock cooler) and it was able to beat the FX-62. So you could buy that one and overclock it. If I remember correctly, the overclocked E6400 (stock cooler) almost matched up with the X6800 (not OC'ed) and sometimes beat it.

I hope you will make smarter decisions after reading my post. I really want you to get the best for your dollar. I really don't see any point in getting an FX-60. Especially since you don't even have to invest in water cooling to get those amazing overclocks with even the low end Conroes.

[Indybird]

I would go with the core duos but there aren't any good (if any at all) SLI boards. Which is what I want. If there where conroe compatible SLI boards I would definetly take your advice and probably save $400.

[monoflap]

Who says you cant wait for new boards to come out, or more money for that matter. Core Duo isn't that much more expensive than the FX-60.

[Silenced_Coyote]

When are you planning to start buying your parts anyways?

Here is one motherboard from Asus:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131564&ATT=13-131-564&CMP=OTC-d3alt1me

I think I heard that the nVidia 590 SLI chipsets are going to support Intel in August. Does anyone know for sure or has heard anything?

[overdosedelusion]

well, considering AMD are going to be dropping their prices considerably, why bother with conroe? seriously, why would you need that kind of power unless you plan on running HL2 and DOOM3 at a 5000 pixel resolution on a plasma TV with terrain shadows at max :S.

some people just want the absolute best even thouh there is no technolgy to push these processors to te limit yet.

[Silenced_Coyote]

"Bother with Conroe" because it has a better price/performance. But the prices start sucking at the higher end because of the premium Intel is charging.

Even with the dropped AMD CPU prices, you can still get the cheapest Conroe and still beat the FX-60 (even with overclocking on the stock Intel cooler).

The FX-60 is $811 (Newegg).... The E6300 is $210 (Tiger Direct). Even if you add a new top of the line motherboard and RAM (2 GB) it should still be under $800.


seriously, why would you need that kind of power unless you plan on running HL2 and DOOM3 at a 5000 pixel resolution on a plasma TV with terrain shadows at max

I think your argument got off track because that concerns GPUs. Oh, I think you are missing some zeros because 5000 pixels is tiny. Either that or I don't know how to calculate pixels on a screen.

[GT40_GearHead]

hhhhhmm, dual core, ~3ghz, wonder what air-coolers have to say about this(even some water setups)

[Silenced_Coyote]

I'm curious too! I want to see Conroe's maximum potential. It would be great to find how far it can go on the best air cooler and how far it can go with the best water cooling setup.

[overdosedelusion]

"Bother with Conroe" because it has a better price/performance. But the prices start sucking at the higher end because of the premium Intel is charging.

yes, point taken, but what technology do we have in our homes that would need that amount of power? i dont even think the FX processors are necessary unless we finally make the universal jump to 64bit technology. They could never be used to the full potential.


Even with the dropped AMD CPU prices, you can still get the cheapest Conroe and still beat the FX-60 (even with overclocking on the stock Intel cooler).

hm, i guess we'll see what the price drop is on the AM2's, my am2 4800x2 cost only £180 and this is before i heard about the price drop ¬_¬. But i guess ive always been an AMD fanboy ;)


The FX-60 is $811 (Newegg).... The E6300 is $210 (Tiger Direct). Even if you add a new top of the line motherboard and RAM (2 GB) it should still be under $800.

thats actually quite shocking =\

im waiting till AMD combat this anyhow, as ive said, i bone AMD


I think your argument got off track because that concerns GPUs. Oh, I think you are missing some zeros because 5000 pixels is tiny. Either that or I don't know how to calculate pixels on a screen.

your're right. sorry i forgot to put sqaured at the end, i meant 5000x5000 (not a sqaure monitor obv, but resolutions hovering around those numbers)

i still believe that even with the best gpu, a better processor will handle higher resolutions easier. my old ati x850 was supposed to be good qaulity at 1280x1024 (back in the day) but my amd64 3800 couldnt handle games at that res, i had to play at 800x600 with all the saddows and terrain details off =\


anyhow, as far as im concerned, conroe is simply a wow factor that wont be put to justice for a few years from now. yes i would buy in the future, but while AMD AM2 duel cores remain cheaper theres not much point :S

[Indybird]

I'm going to wait until the Core 2 SLI Motherboards because the E6700 runs at 2.67GHz (which is more than enough) and is $200+ cheaper than the FX-60/62. My primary focus is money and since its cheaper (and runs faster), why not?

I think Intel is charging to much for their Core 2 Extreme ($1100+). The price is gonna have to drop pretty soon if its going to compete on the current processor market.

I can't wait to see what AMD does to combat conroe, because ever time Intel makes a fast processor AMD comes along and makes and ever faster one for cheaper. (I suppose it's a never ending cycle).

[Silenced_Coyote]

Price cuts by AMD and how it compares to Intel's line of processors in a price/performance chart. Anyways, AMD already made price cuts. More related articles at the bottom.
http://www.tgdaily.com/2006/07/25/four_amds_now_near_intel_price-performance_curve/

Speculation according to history of AMD of what their response might be:
http://www.tgdaily.com/2006/07/28/amds_response_to_conroe/


yes, point taken, but what technology do we have in our homes that would need that amount of power? i dont even think the FX processors are necessary unless we finally make the universal jump to 64bit technology. They could never be used to the full potential.

Sure we might not need the power but it is certainly welcomed at such a low price (E6300 and E6400).
You might as well say that when AMD comes out with their "4x4".


I'm going to wait until the Core 2 SLI Motherboards because the E6700 runs at 2.67GHz (which is more than enough) and is $200+ cheaper than the FX-60/62. My primary focus is money and since its cheaper (and runs faster), why not?

I think Intel is charging to much for their Core 2 Extreme ($1100+). The price is gonna have to drop pretty soon if its going to compete on the current processor market.

Don't just look at the GHz, look at the benchmarks. You can go even lower especially since you will have to buy a new motherboard and RAM so you would end up having saved nothing at all. Probably go no higher than the E6600. You can go lower which might be better depending on what you need.

Even AMD charges premiums on thier high end CPUs. Intel doesn't need to lower the price of the X6800 (though we would all like that).

About AMD combating Conroe... Read the link I posted above (just speculation though).

[typodaemon]

As with everything in the tech industry the latest and the greatest comes at a price. The flagship models superior performance at a cost (literally) and there's a market for that.

Clocker's will really get into C2D's when the lower end stuff comes out. Intel's roadmap shows the E4300 slated for early next year. It should overclock much better thanks to its lower stock FSB and its a budget model ( ~$130? ).

AMD's already made price cuts, so unless they severely slash the prices on AM2 systems by the start of next year the low end C2D's will be top dog in performance for your dollar. And there's a market for that too.

I think AMD is in for rough sailing for a while. They haven't anounced anything fantastic to be released in the near future. It doesn't make sense to let your competitor steal market share by just being quiet if you have something that can compete. Luckily they're the under-dog. While they won't go away, it'll just be a while before they have a competitive processor again.

[Indybird]

Though the Core Duo Extreme is nice I'm going with the E6700 @ 2.67GHz which in the Core Duo measurements is fast enough for me.

[Omega]

Awesome! AMD is going to lower prices!

Oh.. Yeah. Nice Intel thingy-whopper.




I'm holding out for quad-cores myself. Those'll be bitchin'.



AMD has quad-core chips coming out soon enough. Quad-Core > all your base.


hahah intel blows


Taken from the forum I frequent the most, Accelerated-E.


I agree with all the above statements.

[Silenced_Coyote]

Intel is coming out with quad core too.

Is there really a point to quad core? Do current applications even take full advantage of what dual core/multi-threading can do?

Oh well, I guess it doesn't matter to me, they will be too expensive for me.