Exclusive PC World tests show that PCs equipped with Intel's new Core 2 Duo processors, formerly code-named Conroe, set new high marks for desktop performance--they're the fastest we've seen by far.
With this chip line, which formally launched on July 27, Intel decisively reclaims the power desktop crown from competitor AMD.
AMD recently introduced aggressive price cuts, lowering the cost of its Athlon 64 FX-62 from $1031 to $827, while mainstream chips like the 2.4-GHz Athlon 64 X2 4600+ dropped from $558 to $240. In response, Intel also lowered the prices of older desktop processors.
Testing, Testing
In our WorldBench 5 test suite, Intel's Core 2 Duo reference system outscored a matching system equipped with AMD's high-end Athlon 64 FX-62 chip by 17 percent. We also tested shipping PCs based on several chips in the Core 2 Duo family, including a water-cooled, overclocked ABS machine that posted a mark of 181 on our WorldBench 5 test--the highest WorldBench score we've ever seen. (See PC World'sdetailed test results and chart. For full reviews of five new Core 2 Duo-based systems, click the product names in the results chart.)
All of our Core 2 Duo configurations performed impressively, and the higher-end models in particular should allow power users to handle demanding multimedia work on their PCs more quickly and to perform multiple computing tasks at once more efficiently. Gaming, too, will receive an impressive boost from systems equipped with the new chips.
Though its new products are good news for users, things are different for some Intel employees, as the company announced the layoff of 1000 management employees.
The Core 2 Duo Line
The Core 2 Duo processor line ranges from the 1.86-GHz E6300 chip ($183) with 2MB of cache to the 2.93-GHz Core 2 Extreme X6800 chip ($999) with 4MB of cache; all have a 1066-MHz system bus. (Intel leaves the 'Duo' designation off of its X6800 CPU.)
Though Core 2 Duo chips use the same Socket 775 interface as current Pentium 4 and Pentium D chips, they require new chip sets, so you'll have to get a new motherboard--you can't just pop a Core 2 Duo chip into your existing Intel-based PC and reap the tremendous performance gains. The Core 2 Duo reference systems we tested used a motherboard with Intel's 975X Express chip set (boards using the P965 Express chip set will also be available); nVidia and ATI have their own Core 2 Duo boards as well.
The new processors and systems will be on sale from various vendors beginning July 27, with some configurations of Core 2 Duo machines checking in at surprisingly reasonable prices. True to the game online.
User Score
Based on 254 reviewsas rated by Amazon users
Pros:
- Excellent Price to Performance Ratio.
- Lower Thermal Power Requirement.
- Huge Overclock Potential.
Cons:
- Stock Intel Heatsink Can Get Very Noisy.
- Slower than quad-core CPUs in applications that can use more than two cores.
Editors Liked
- Excellent Price to Performance Ratio
- Lower Thermal Power Requirement
- Huge Overclock Potential
- Runs Cool
- Scales Well With Voltage
Editors Didn't Like
- Stock Intel Heatsink Can Get Very Noisy
- Slower than quad-core CPUs in applications that can use more than two cores
- Availablity
- Price Gouging From Etailers
Direct Competitors and Related Products
Expert reviews and ratings
By PCStats on![Intel Core 2 Duo Review Intel Core 2 Duo Review](https://www.legitreviews.com/images/reviews/668/intel_e8500_load.jpg)
In this age of quad-core processors, can a dual-core processor really cut it? CPU manufacturers AMD and Intel have repeatedly emphasized that multi-threaded applications are the future of computing, and that both companies will soon relegate single..
Macbook Intel Core 2 Duo Review
By Phoronix on 100On Windows, the Intel Wolfdale processor has been reported by various publications as performing well. While we cannot comment on the Microsoft Windows performance of the Core 2 Duo E8400, we do know one thing and thats the Wolfdale does perform..
By About.com on 100Intels Core 2 Duo E8400 is probably one of the best overall values currently in the desktop processor market. Sure, it only has two processor cores, but it runs at a fairly high clock speed and its low voltage and thermal output allow for it to be..
By Computer Shopper on 85The Core 2 Duo E8400 offers excellent performance at stock speeds, as well as plenty of headroom for the overclocking..
By Bit-tech.net on 80Just like the QX9650 and QX9770 the 45nm products are the ones to aim for if youre considering and Intel upgrade, however the Extreme Edition CPUs, the Wolfdales are affordable. In fact, every CPU featured was affordable, the only exception is the..
By Custom PC on 83The Core 2 Duo E8400 is certainly fast, even compared with the Core 2 Quad Q6600. Only in heavily multithreaded apps do the Q6600s four cores provide a speed advantage. In other tests the E8400 dominates. However, there are two things to consider..
By Gomeler on 95Intel has a winner here with this cheap Wolfdale processor. I paid $201 with tax in Atlanta, Georgia for this chip and considering how well it performed at stock and overclocked settings I see no reason to suggest purchasing a 65nm processor..
By Overclockers Club onSo how much fuel goes into the fire regarding the two core versus four core performance debate? Plenty! In the scientific benchmarks the dual core CPU was picked apart in almost every benchmark, as expected. Some highlights include competitive scores..
By Hardware Secrets onIf you are looking for a CPU on the USD 200 range you have only two real options: the new Core 2 Duo E8400 and Core 2 Quad Q6600. For the mainstream user Core 2 Duo E8400 is the best option, as it provides a higher performance under almost all scenarios..
By circuitREMIX onWe already know that the E8000 series Wolfdale CPUs offer great performance at a very good price. The problem is theyre not easily available. We found that the Xeon E3110 is a viable alternative to the E8400, as its basically the exact same..
By Fudzilla onIf you have been waiting for the new 45nm CPUs, then you made the right choice. This CPU is the best dual-core you can get for your money right now. While the E8500 is considerably more expensive, it doesnt offer any advantage besides a speed..
By Techgage onIn the intro, I mentioned that Intels Core 2 Duo launch in mid-2006 succeeded in getting people excited about processors again, and its safe to say that the 45nm launch will accomplish something similar. One thing that has changed since that launch..
By Legion Hardware onThe new E8400 is a very impressive processor and the fact that it can be purchased for the same price as an E6750 is remarkable. Although the E8400 is clocked at 3.0GHz like the E6850, it will actually be replacing the E6750 at $183 US. The E6850 will..
By Les Numériques on 80Un excellent processeur dual-core qui sait allier rapidité et consommation modérée. En revanche on lui préfère un quad-core pour les encodages de vidéos ou la réalisation de rendu..
The new dual-core variants of Intel's 45nm Penryn CPU family look like a no-brainer. For the most part, that's how how it turns out.
The top E8500 model is clocked at an impressive 3.16GHz, which translates into single and dual-threaded performance to match any processor on the planet. It's also impressively efficient compared to the outgoing 65nm generation of Core 2 Duo CPUs from Intel.
Improved performance
Core 2 Duo E8400
Despite running a few hundred MHz faster than the old 2.93GHz X6850 dual-core chip, the E8500 consumes 30 watts less under full load.
It's also significantly quicker in every benchmark than the X6850. Part of that is no doubt thanks to the faster frequency, but the addition of 2MB of cache memory, now a borderline-silly total of 6MB, doesn't hurt. The same goes for the faster 1,333MHz bus. It's all gravy.
Of course, Intel would also claim that the various tweaks made to the Penryn architecture boost the clock-for-clock performance of its latest cores, too. You know, the new Radix 16 divider, enhanced SuperShuffle Engine and all that jazz.
In practice, it's effectively impossible to isolate each of the upgrades and deduce exactly how much benefit they bring.
Power at an attractive price
What we can say, however, is that the overall performance advantage of the E8500 over the X6850 is always above 10 per cent and sometimes as much as 20 per cent.
That's despite the clock speed differential of just eight per cent. And remember, the E8500 is less than £200. At launch a little over 18 months ago, the X6850 was the world's fastest PC chip and cost a cool £600. That's progress for you.
The good news doesn't end there. We can also report that the E8500 is every bit as good an overclocking chip as you would hope; hitting 4GHz on air cooling is a cinch. Up the volts a bit, and even higher speeds are possible. Sinhala fonts free download windows 10.
All of which just leaves one lingering doubt. The full-fat, 12MB cache Q9450 quad-core chip can be had for just £30 more. Sure it's clocked a little lower at 2.6GHz. But for any system that's remotely multi-purpose, the Q9450 is probably a better all-round bet.
Product Information
- Screams performance. Conserves power. Revolutionizes PCs. With Intel Core 2 Duo desktop processor, you'll experience revolutionary performance, unbelievable system responsiveness, and energy-efficiency built in - up to 40% faster and over 40% more energy efficient.
Product Identifiers
- Intel
- BX80557E6400, BX80557E6400SL9S9
- 5032037007054, 0735858184632, 0675900830721
- 5032037007054, 0735858184632, 0675900830721
- 74061001
Product Key Features
- Intel Core 2 Duo E6400
- 1066 MHz
- None/Processor only
- 2 MB
- Core 2 Duo
- LGA 775/Socket T
- 2
- 2.13 GHz
Additional Product Features
- 65W
- Processor
- Dual-Core
- Yes
- 61.4°C
- 2MB
- 2MB
- L2 Caché
- PC
- Streaming Simd Extensions, Mmx Instructions Set, Intel 64 Technology, Streaming Simd Extensions 2, Execute Disable Bit Capability
- 1
- 64KB
- 65 NM
- 1X Processor-LGA 775/Socket T Socket