Intel Core 2
Encyclopedia : I : IN : INT : Intel Core 2
- This article is about Intel processors branded as "Intel Core 2." For more information on the microarchitecture to be used in Intel Core 2 microprocessors, see Intel Core Microarchitecture.
Unlike NetBurst-based processors, such as the Pentium 4 and Pentium D, Core 2 will not stress designs based on extremely high clock speeds but rather improvements on other CPU features, including cache size and number of cores. Intel claims that the power consumption of these processors is to be extremely low compared to the Pentiums before.
Intel Core 2 processors will feature EM64T, Virtualization Technology, and Execute Disable Bit. The release will also introduce LaGrande Technology, SSE4, Enhanced SpeedStep Technology, and Active Management Technology (iAMT2).
Processor Cores
Conroe
The first Intel Core 2 Duo processor core, codenamed Conroe, is to be officially launched on 27 July 2006. This processor is built on a 65 nm process and is intended for desktops, replacing the Pentium 4 and Pentium D. Intel has claimed that Conroe will provide 40% more performance at 40% less power compared to the Pentium D.
The Conroe processors are expected to be labeled as the "E6x00" Core 2 Duo models, with the E6300 clocked at 1.86 GHz, the E6400 clocked at 2.13 GHz, the E6600 clocked at 2.4 GHz, and the E6700 clocked at 2.67 GHz. The E6300 and E6400 are expected to come with 2 MB of shared L2 cache, while all other models will have 4 MB. The family has a 1066 MT/s front side bus and 65 watts TDP. These processors have been tested against AMD's current top performing processors which are the fastest CPUs available, and the vanilla Conroe boasts much faster peformance. Overclocking results from the E6700 and E6600 show the ability to overclock stabily to 4 GHz, despite them having locked multipliers.
Prices for boxed Intel Core 2 processors are expected to range between $150 and $999 for the Extreme Edition.
Conroe XE
The top-of-the-line Core 2 Extreme is scheduled for official release on July 27 2006. However some retailers appear to have released it on July 13 2006, albeit at a high premium. The less powerful E6X00 models of Core 2 Duo were scheduled for simultaneous release with the X6800 and do not seem to be publicly available at this time. It is powered by the Conroe XE core and will replace the Pentium 4 Extreme Edition and the dual-core Pentium Extreme Edition processors. Core 2 Extreme will have a clock speed of 2.93 GHz and a 1066 MT/s FSB, although it was initially expected to achieve 3.33 GHz and 1333 MT/s. The TDP for this family will be 75-80 Watts. At full load the X6800 does not exceed 45°c, and with SpeedStep enabled the average temperature of the cpu when idle is 25°c.
According to leaked Intel roadmaps, the Core 2 Extreme X6800 will be priced at $999 (in quantities of 1000). Like the desktop Core 2 Duo, it will have 4 MB of shared L2 cache available. This means that the only major difference between the regular Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Extreme is the clock speed, which is unusual for the "Extreme Edition." It does come with an unlocked multiplier, however, allowing it to basically simulate any E6x00 with 4 MB of L2 cache. This also allows it to gain a better overclocking ability than the other Core 2 processors, with up to a 14X multiplier. Intel's previous Extreme Editions all included a unique feature, such as an increased FSB, more L2 cache, or addition of L3 cache.
Benchmarking tests in multimedia and gaming have shown that the X6800 can lead the best AMD processor by up to 36% in performance. Overclocking proves more promising, as Intel allows the user to change the multiplier number. The X6800 has shown the ability to be overclocked to 3.4 GHz on regular heatsink/fan air cooling.
By the end of 2006 Intel plans to introduce the Core 2 Extreme X6900, which is slated to clock at 3.2 GHz, while keeping the same FSB speed, L2 cache size, socket, and TDP.
According to leaked info, Intel is to release another Conroe XE in the 4th quarter of 2006, model X8000 with 3.33GHz and 1333MHz FSB QDR.
Allendale
Allendale is a codename for Conroe-Based processors with only 2MB of L2 Cache (Conroe is with 4MB of L2), the models of Allendale are: E4200 (1.6GHz, 800MHz FSB QDR), E6200 (1.6GHz, 1066MHz FSB QDR), E6300 (1.86GHz, 1066MHz FSB QDR) and E6400 (2.13GHz, 1066MHz FSB QDR).The E4200 and E6200 models will be released on the 4th quarter of the year, while the E6300 and E6400 models will be released in July 2006.
Merom
Merom, Intel's first mobile version of the Core 2 processor, will be released in August 2006 and will replace the Intel Core Duo line of mobile processors. Merom will largely have the same features as Conroe, but with more emphasis on low power consumption to enhance notebook battery life. Intel has claimed that Merom will provide 20% more performance yet maintain the same battery-life as the Yonah-based Core Duo. Merom will be the first Intel mobile processor to feature EM64T 64-bit extensions.
Intel has stated that the first version of Merom will be drop-in compatible with the current Core Duo platform, requiring at most a BIOS update. It will have the same thermal envelope and the same 667 MT/s bus rate.
The Merom processors are expected to be labeled as the "T5x00" and "T7x00" Core 2 Duo models, with the T5500 clocked at 1.66 GHz, the T5600 clocked at 1.83 GHz, the T7200 clocked at 2.0 GHz, the T7400 clocked at 2.16 GHz, and the T7600 clocked at 2.33 GHz. The T5x00 models are expected to come with 2 MB of shared L2 cache, and the T7x00 models are expected to come with 4 MB of shared L2 cache.
A second wave of Merom processors featuring an 800 MT/s FSB and using the new Socket P is expected to launch in April 2007 These chips will be part of the platform codenamed Santa Rosa.
System Requirements
Conroe, Conroe XE and Allendale
Conroe, Conroe XE and Allendale will all be using Socket LGA775; however, not every motherboard is compatible with these products. Supporting chipsets are Intel's: 865PE, 945P/PL/G, 955X, 975X and the latest 965P/G/Q (Note that 865PE support 800MHz FSB QDR while the processors are using 1066MHz FSB QDR), ATI's Radeon Xpress 200, RD600 and RS600, and NVidia's nForce 4 SLI Intel Edition and nForce 570/590 (Most likely all SLI) Intel Edition.The Conroe, Conroe XE, and Allendale require a newer voltage regulator module (VRM), named VRM 11; every motherboard with supporting chipset and including VRM 11 supports the Conroe based processors, but needs a BIOS to recognize the processor's FID (Processor's Family ID) and VID (Processor's Voltage ID) to work.
See also
References
External links
- [List of Official Core 2 Reviews]
- [Intel Core Microarchitecture]
- [Intel's press release announcing Core 2]
- [Intel's Core 2 page]
- [Announcing Intel Core 2 Duo]
- [The second coming of Intel's Core Duo]
- [Intel Core 2 technical specifications]
- [Article About XE Conroe]
- [Motherboards Supporting Conroe, Conroe XE and Allendale]
|
Intel processors 4004 | 4040 | 8008 | 8080 | 8085 | 8086 | 8088 | iAPX 432 | 80186 | 80188 | 80286 | 80386 | 80486 | i860 | i960 | Pentium | Pentium Pro | Pentium II | Celeron | Pentium III | XScale | Pentium 4 | Pentium M | Pentium D | Pentium Extreme Edition | Xeon | Core | Core 2 | Itanium | Itanium 2 (italics indicate non-x86 processors) |
From Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Original article here. Support Wikipedia by contributing or donating.
All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License See Wikipedia Copyrights for details.