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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  • bob661 - Friday, July 14, 2006 - link

    quote:

    This is a paper launch, and there's a variety of political reasons for it. Among the reasons:
    I would like to know about the AMD EE CPU's myself. I forgot about those.
  • bob661 - Friday, July 14, 2006 - link

    LOL! I got modded down because some of you clowns don't like to be accused of being hypocrites. So I'll ask a question. What's the difference between launching a video card and not having product available and launching a CPU and not having product available? I hear NO bitching at all on this. Why is that?
  • epsilonparadox - Friday, July 14, 2006 - link

    I don't get where you're seeing its not available. According to a poster above,

    quote:

    Your screenshots with cpuid have the stepping as a B1 stepping 5 Conroe - I bought a retail Conroe X6800, and it was a stepping 6 revB2


    How are we being hypocrites?
  • bob661 - Friday, July 14, 2006 - link

    quote:

    How are we being hypocrites?
    Beacuse this is a paper launch and no one's complaining but when ATI/Nvidia does the same thing everyone and their mom's are bitching and complaining. Hypocracy!
  • Shintai - Saturday, July 15, 2006 - link

    How can be it a paper launch when Intel first launches it July 27th?

    After July 27th you can start whine...
  • epsilonparadox - Friday, July 14, 2006 - link

    How could it be considered a paper launch if there are posters above you complaining the their OC results of the C2Ds that they bought and have in their possession aren't as good as AT's?
  • bob661 - Friday, July 14, 2006 - link

    quote:

    I don't get where you're seeing its not available. According to a poster above,
    One poster gave a link to Newegg but there's nothing there. I searched the site and saw nothing. I also checked ZZF and Monarch. Nothing there. If this CPU is available, why can't I buy it?
  • epsilonparadox - Friday, July 14, 2006 - link

    As you said yourself before, the supply is tight hence the ridiculous price. If they've been available then they were already bought. http://www.buy.com/prod/CORE_2_DUO_E6600_DC_LGA775...">Check buy.com
    Its temporarily sold out but the orders placed when it was in stock were shipping july 5th.
  • bob661 - Friday, July 14, 2006 - link

    That's a little high but not out of line. I paid $400 for my 3500 and this is MUCH faster. I am surprised that no one here has one of these since they were released earlier.
  • Questar - Friday, July 14, 2006 - link

    Because people were able to buy these four days ago?

    Because the official launch is still two weeks away?

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