The Test

We've already covered the architecture behind Intel's Core 2 processors extensively in the past, leaving the only unanswered questions centered around final performance. Today we're here to answer these questions, and we'll focus exclusively on performance. If you want to read more about Intel's Core architecture, please look back at the following articles:

Intel Core versus AMD K8 architecture

Spring IDF 2006: Introducing Intels new Core Processors

Because AMD is killing off its 1MB L2 Athlon 64 X2 parts, we've only included 512KB X2s in this review. The Athlon 64 FX-62 features a 1MB L2 per core and is obviously still included.

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 FX-62 (2.8GHz/1MBx2)
AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (2.6GHz/512KBx2)
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ (2.4GHz/512KBx2)
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ (2.2GHz/512KBx2)
AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ (2.0GHz/512KBx2)
Intel Pentium Extreme Edition 965 (3.73GHz/2MBx2)
Intel Pentium D 960 (3.6GHz/2MBx2)
Intel Pentium D 950 (3.4GHz/2MBx2)
Intel Pentium D 940 (3.2GHz/2MBx2)
Intel Pentium D 930 (3.0GHz/2MBx2)
Intel Pentium D 920 (2.8GHz/2MBx2)
Intel Pentium D 820 (2.8GHz/1MBx2)
Intel Core 2 Extreme X6800 (2.93GHz/4MB)
Intel Core 2 Duo E6700 (2.66GHz/4MB)
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 (2.40GHz/4MB)
Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 (1.86GHz/2MB)
Motherboard: MSI K9A Platinum (Socket AM2)
Intel D975XBX (LGA-775)
Chipset: ATI RD580
Intel 975X
Chipset Drivers: Catalyst 6.6 (ATI)
Intel 7.2.2.1007 (Intel)
Hard Disk: Seagate 7200.9 300GB SATA
Memory: Corsair XMS2 DDR2-800 4-4-4-12 (1GB x 2)
Video Card: 2 x ATI Radeon X1900 XT CrossFire
Video Drivers: ATI Catalyst 6.6
Desktop Resolution: 1280 x 1024 - 32-bit @ 60Hz (1600 x 1200 for games)
OS: Windows XP Professional SP2
New Pricing L2 Cache: 4MB or 2MB?
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  • heaneyforestrntpe68 - Thursday, October 21, 2021 - link

    I'd love to see some timings from a C++ compiler or two... Looks like I'll have to revise our standard developer PC configuration. https://bit.ly/3DWvK0i
  • alamoscouts - Sunday, March 13, 2022 - link

    To effectively benchmark TES 4: Oblivion (or pretty much any Elder Scrolls game since TES II) you have to benchmark in town and in the open world. Open world performance is by far the most brutal and will cut FPS in half or more depending on the GPU/CPU. Other than that, I really appreciate you guys maintaining these older reviews which are a great resource for old school enthusiasts like myself.

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