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LOSTCIRCUITS	SHORTCUTS: Core 2 Duo: The light at the end of the tunnel Core 2 Key Features Specs and Numbers/ Testconfigurations Benchmark Overview Memory Performance 1 Memory Latencies Power Plays TrueSpace5.1 and Rendering Power 3dsmax 8.0 Cinebench 2003 3DMark'05 FarCry, F.E.A.R. Call of Duty, DOOM3, Prey Final Thoughts Give Us Some Feedback on this Review
Intel Core 2 Duo Blinded by the light
(Review by MS, July 25, 2006)

Some Numbers

The Core2 family of CPU comprises (at launch date) five different models:

All Core 2 processors currently feature 291 million transistors and a die size of 143 mm2. In the case of the E6400 and E6300, 2 MB of the L2 cache are disabled. This is common practice to increase yield since it offers the manufacturer the possibility to eliminate defective SRAM cells and use the rest as a reduced-size cache. Most likely, the E6400 and E6300 will disappear, alternatively, Intel may start runs of a reduced size die for the cheaper versions. The thermal design power (TDP) of all Core 2 Duo processors is rated as 65W whereas the Extreme X6800 version is specked at 75W.

Die shot of the Core 2 processor

Test Configurations

To put things into perspective, we are using dual and single core configurations for comparison along with a dual processor Opteron system. The point is not to say that one is better than the other, rather it is to give some idea where a given system would currently be, and whether there is really any need for upgrading or not. Every processor and every system has its own strengths and weaknesses and depending on one's preferences, some of the issues will be irrelevant whereas others may influence a purchasing decision -- or not.

     

CPU-Z screenshots of the Core 2 Duo E6700 and Core 2 Extreme X6800. Both CPUs run on variable multipliers depending on load, that is, at idle, the frequency scales back to 1600 MHz but under load, it dynamically ramps to a 10 or 11 x multiplier, respectively. The Extreme X6800 is also unlocked with respect to the multiplier but frequency limited.

next page: => Benchmark Overview =>

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