DailyTech - Announcing Intel Core 2 Duo

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Hardware Announcing Intel Core 2 Duo
Kristopher Kubicki (Blog) - May 7, 2006 3:01 PM

48 comment(s) - last by Anemone.. on May 13 at 12:22 PM

"Conroe" and "Merom" get a name and a birthday

Intel has just passed us word about a new branding decision for the upcoming second generation Core processors. Intel's first generation desktop Core processor, Conroe, will carry the moniker Core 2 Duo, suplementing the 65nm Netburst Presler micro-architecture. Notebook processors, earlier dubbed Merom, will also carry the Core 2 Duo moniker even though the processors are very different than the desktop Core 2 Duo chips. The highest end desktop processors, previously named Extreme Edition, will be labeled as Core 2 Extreme opposed to the mainstream Core 2 Duo.

Core 2 Extreme will actually become the first Conroe processor to launch, followed immediately by Core 2 Duo E6700 -- as outlined by Intel's most recent desktop roadmap. Merom and Conroe are both based on 65nm process designs with shared L2 cache and aggressive power management. Conroe and Merom will both be backwards compatible with recently manufactured desktop and mobile motherboards.

Intel's most recent forward outlook confirms Conroe will ship in July, 2006 followed shortly by Merom in August 2006. This was hinted by Intel CEO Paul Otellini earlier this week during the company's quarterly report. Intel's press release about the new branding claims:

Consumers and businesses will also be able to purchase these processors as part of Intel’s market-focused platforms -- a collection of Intel hardware and software technology innovation that is designed and tested together and tailored to specific computing needs. Intel offers wireless computing, in-home entertainment or business productivity platforms through the company’s Intel Centrino Duo mobile technology, Intel Viiv technology and Intel vPro.

Intel is expected to publicly demonstrate Core 2 Duo at Computex 2006 in Taipei, Taiwan on June 6th, 2006. AMD is expected to launch its next generation DDR2 desktop component on May 23, 2006.

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performance

By almrow on 5/7/2006 4:06:21 PM , Rating: 1

well, if conroe is better than the fx-62 and fx-64, this will be a strike for amd, i mean it will be very hard for amd to compete against intel and be better, amd must think about it and fast!

RE: performance

By Spoonbender on 5/7/2006 4:33:50 PM , Rating: 1

Well, I don't think it's quite that bad for them. AMD has the capacity to push performance a bit if neccesary. Most of their chips can already be overclocked quite a bit. Sure, not all their chips would be able to run at higher speeds, but they'd be able to market faster chips if they had to.
if they can punch their high end chips up another 10% or so, and the AM2 platform gives them another 5%, they're pretty close to matching Conroe. Of course, they might not be able to beat the competition, but they could at least avoid looking as bad as Intel has done for the last 3 years, instead just lagging slightly behind for a while.

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RE: performance

By Martin Blank on 5/7/2006 5:19:30 PM , Rating: 3

Unlikely. AMD is still quietly working on their next generation architecture, and is probably going to let Intel have the lead for a little bit. If AMD were to stretch the performance of their CPUs by pushing the clock limits, they might be seen as desperate, which they're not. Their preference is simply to finish up the Brisbane core architecture and release it in due time, somewhere in H1 2007.

What we're seeing here is something that we've not seen for about the last two years, which is a see-saw of the performance crown. There have been debates over who is better because the number have been relatively close, but it's likely that Conroe will hold the lead for a few months.

While I run AMD at home, I'm pleased to see Merom so close -- it means a new notebook at work for me when budgets are approved. :)

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RE: performance

By TomZ on 5/7/06, Rating: 0

RE: performance

By Martin Blank on 5/8/2006 11:00:26 AM , Rating: 2

They may well have been able to launch some version of the FX line, though it would have been expensive and rare, that would have held the performance crown, but doing so just signals desperation that isn't there.

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RE: performance

By coldpower27 on 5/8/2006 11:47:13 AM , Rating: 2

I don't know considering 5% is actually generous for Windsor performance over Toledo.

If Intel launches a conservative by the way 3.00GHZ Conroe for Extreme Edition that would still require Windsor to be at 3.6GHZ... which is not in the realm of doable at all, since most of the Denmark Core Opterons don't get there and those go through extensive testing.

No it is most unlikely AMD can do anything about the performance crown they just aren't in the running till they get to Brisbane.

This is for desktops though so no mention of Opterons and how HyperTransport scales. :P

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Confusing?

By tjr508 on 5/8/2006 4:10:33 PM , Rating: 1

Nobody is complaining about conroe and merom getting the exact same name?

RE: Confusing?

By zsdersw on 5/8/2006 9:35:10 PM , Rating: 2

I'm not. I'm just glad it's slightly different than the current "Core" chips.

And it makes sense, I suppose. Conroe and Merom are quite a bit different from Yonah (what's currently called "Core Duo" and "Core Solo". Conversely, Conroe and Merom are hardly different at all.. so naming them the same makes some sense as well.

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RE: Confusing?

By zsdersw on 5/8/2006 9:39:18 PM , Rating: 2

I also like how the logos are different from current Core logos.

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RE: Confusing?

By hstewarth on 5/8/2006 11:07:05 PM , Rating: 2

Why complain? I guess you could call the Meron "Core Duo 2 Mobile" but than any body with right mind would know its mobile because its in a notebook.

If they are actually the same, this could be really good news for notebook industry - that mans the bus will the same - or that will be only thing different.

Anyway the desktop and mobile computers are blending so much lately, maybe one day its going to be one processor. Maybe the power requirements are so low - there no need to keep seperate processor. So low in fact the Woodcrest is lower than current Intel cpus.

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RE: Confusing?

By The Cheeba on 5/9/2006 12:12:55 AM , Rating: 2

I tend to agree with you, but what about the Pentium 4 processors that intel used to put in laptops? I think that people will THINk they are getting a desktop chip.

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woodcrest?

By Dubb on 5/7/2006 2:13:36 PM , Rating: 2

so what about the 2-socket chips?

RE: woodcrest?

By Mclendo06 on 5/7/2006 2:54:39 PM , Rating: 2

Supposed to ship June last I heard. No idea what it will be called. Core Duo Xeon, or Xeon Core Duo perhaps. We shall see.

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RE: woodcrest?

By hstewarth on 5/7/2006 3:57:50 PM , Rating: 2

I think Server chips are the Xeon 51xx series - besides with dual cpu support, higher speed bus 1333Mhz instead of 1066Mhz. Other things like FB-Dimm support - which is suppose to be 4x faster than normal memory.

The Core 2 Extreme is basically a Woodcrest in desktop packaging.

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Chipset compatibility...

By Sumanji on 5/7/2006 6:16:46 PM , Rating: 2

quote:
Conroe and Merom will both be backwards compatible with recently manufactured desktop and mobile motherboards.

Will the current mobile i945GT chipset support Merom then? I'm specifically wondering about the MSI 945GT Speedster Plus desktop mobo. Was thinking about building one now with a Celeron M 420 and dropping a Merom in it later on. Is that possible?

Thanks :)

RE: Chipset compatibility...

By shadowzz on 5/7/2006 6:21:26 PM , Rating: 2

Conroe needs a special voltage regulator -- upgrading from Pentium to Core 2 Duo.

Merom is less specific, though many of the motherboards for notebooks were designed drop in compatible between Merom and Yonah.

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RE: Chipset compatibility...

By Sumanji on 5/7/2006 9:18:22 PM , Rating: 2

So is it a safe bet to assume the voltage specs are ok on the MSI mobo...? I'm hoping all it will need is a BIOS update :)

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64 bit?

By timmiser on 5/11/2006 2:54:52 AM , Rating: 2

So is this new chip a 64 bit chip like the Athlon64's?

RE: 64 bit?

By InternetGeek on 5/12/2006 5:29:24 AM , Rating: 2

I don't think so. Unless the chipsets in 'recently manufactured desktop and mobile motherboards' can handle it I don't see how they can make Core 2 64-bits.

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RE: 64 bit?

By chickenselects on 5/13/2006 11:08:02 AM , Rating: 2

yes they are 64bit.

"Intel on Sunday announced that its new 64-bit dual core chips for laptop and desktop computers will both be called"Core 2 Duo", hoping to reignite interest in its products amid tough competition from rival Advanced Micro Devices (AMD)."

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=1...

I dont know if its native 64bit or what but im sure it will run a 64bit OS just fine.

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So good they had to name it twice! Like Mahi Mahi

By Hulk on 5/8/2006 8:53:44 AM , Rating: 2

Core 2 Duo

Core 2 2

Core Duo Duo

I think Core Duo Duo would have been better actually.

Then Core Duo Trio for next generation

Core Quadro Duo for the 4 core 2nd generation chip

Core Quadro Trio...etc..!!!

RE: So good they had to name it twice! Like Mahi Mahi

By Alphafox78 on 5/8/2006 2:57:00 PM , Rating: 3

Why is this so confusing? Duo represets dual core.. makes perfect sense to me

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Not Necessarily Backwards Compatible

By Mclendo06 on 5/7/2006 2:48:22 PM , Rating: 4

quote:
Conroe and Merom will both be backwards compatible with recently manufactured desktop and mobile motherboards.

This is not necessarily true as most of the Intel 975 Chipset boards on the shelf today don't have the correct voltage regulation hardware to run Conroe. The only "compatible" motherboard which might even be available is the newest revision of the Intel BadAxe motherboard. I've not heard anything definitive about Merom yet, although my understanding is that a board which will run a core duo processor will also run merom (i.e. Merom is "backwards compatible"). Basically, though, this is to say that you shouldn't buy a 975 chipset motherboard now expecting it to be able to run Conroe unless you have really done your research and know exactly what you are doing. Check this Xtreme Systems thread for more info:

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php...

Getting dizzy with cores...

By clementlim on 5/7/2006 7:17:11 PM , Rating: 2

Someone enlighten me...

At the end of Pentium 4 branding, Intel came up with series number instead of the usual Gigahertz branding; e.g Pentium 4 550 etc. as opposed to Pentium 4 2.8c etc. Then, they came up with a new name to replace Pentium: Core. Improvement in technology and process warrant the change of name, if I am not mistaken. That was a couple of months ago. And now, Core 2...that was fast.

Wow, how long did it take for Pentium 2 to appear after Pentium and Pentium Pro? Or Pentium 3, Pentium 4, etc... I don't know what's in the name. Technocrats won't care, but it does confuse casual users, IMHO.

RE: Getting dizzy with cores...

By boinkle on 5/7/2006 7:39:31 PM , Rating: 2

What's in a name?

http://www.intel.com/intel/legal/tmnouns2.htm

What indeed?!

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name

By swatX on 5/7/2006 2:37:29 PM , Rating: 1

they better name the version of chips core 3 duo b/c thats just lame. i liked the pentium name a lot.

RE: name

By dnd728 on 5/7/2006 3:05:56 PM , Rating: 2

But then next gen would be 4 quatro, won't it?

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Core 2 Duo

By badlyreckless on 5/7/2006 4:06:55 PM , Rating: 2

The new processor name builds on the Core brand, which was introduced with the current "Core Duo" mobile processor generation in January of this year. According to the company "Core 2" is a sign for a second generation of "Core" technology, which may be a bit confusing, as the current "Core Solo" and "Core Duo" processors are built on technology that has been carried over from previous "Pentium M" processors and the new "Core 2" generation is built on a completely new architecture (which is named "Core" as well.)

RE: Core 2 Duo

By hstewarth on 5/7/2006 4:44:20 PM , Rating: 1

It 100% true that Core Due 2 ( Conroe, Woodcrest ) is based on Pentium M. Its also has some of good points of the Pentium 4 systems, faster Quad Bus and Faster floating point and SSE. Actually SSE has been even more improved and single cycle.

This is whole new generation, Maybe I saying the same thing.

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Bi-Core Duo Double 2?

By Spoonbender on 5/7/2006 2:43:43 PM , Rating: 2

Oookay... Well, I guess if Core is supposed to be the new Pentium, it's obvious that this one had to be Core 2. Just a shame it seems to conflict a bit with the duo bit...

Small correction

By defter on 5/8/2006 4:40:58 AM , Rating: 2

"Notebook processors, earlier dubbed Merom, will also carry the Core 2 Duo moniker even though the processors are very different than the desktop Core 2 Duo chips."

Only differences between Merom and Conroe are: different socket, different core cloks and different FSB clocks.

AMD isn't out of the picture

By Anemone on 5/13/2006 12:22:03 PM , Rating: 2

Core 2 is a lame name, but oh well, that's not what counts. Put Txxx or Iyyyy in the name and it doesn't really matter much. Conroe should perform superbly and AMD will have some issues countering its performance.

But you know, it's been months and we are still talking about this chip not using it (save for a lucky few). If you had to go buy a system right now, would you want AMD or a P4? Even when Conroe comes and I won't believe it's really coming till you can buy one, they won't stop selling P4's. You know why? Because demand will drive prices sky high, and that's even if you can get one at any price. They expect those who can't pony up to that to buy P4's instead. Instead those folks will say, "can buy a Conroe for a grand or a system 90% as fast for half that". It won't be rocket science.

AMD may (wait till you can buy them before you crow too loudly) have been outdone in raw speed. But it will be the basic bang for your buck folks who will still be buying AMD systems. And forget not that AMD has promised quad core should fit in that same AM2 socket. You can't even get Conroe to run in a current 975 board, let alone whatever board you want to run Conroe in when it finally arrives. You think quad core is going to be a drop in upgrade for Intel? I wouldn't place a bet on it, that's for sure.

So the market is heating up. But the more Intel releases air and words and not the physical products we want, the less I'm thinking Intel is doing so great.

Best part of the article

By InternetGeek on 5/10/2006 6:32:02 AM , Rating: 1

"Conroe and Merom will both be backwards compatible with recently manufactured desktop and mobile motherboards."

This is the part I like the most. Last sunday I got a brand new laptop with a Core Duo so it was a bit of a shock to see this today. I'm so going to upgrade the CPU in the laptop.

Moderated

By mickeymouse on 5/8/06, Rating: -1

RE: this rocks!

By Yames on 5/8/2006 12:51:00 PM , Rating: 1

Whats up with this? Ive seen this SPAM in other threads as well.

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Moderated

By lethalchronic on 5/8/06, Rating: -1

2 2?

By Sunbird on 5/7/06, Rating: -1

RE: 2 2?

By bwmccann on 5/7/2006 2:47:49 PM , Rating: 2

So you're telling me you liked the name Intel 5 4? Since Pentiums were the 5th generation replacing the 486? So I guess they have had Intel 5 MMX, Intel 5 2, Intel 5 3 as well. :-)

Names are just that names. Lets focus more on the performance when these cpus arrive.

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RE: 2 2?

By xdrol on 5/7/2006 2:51:57 PM , Rating: 2

Core -> Core 2 (second "Core" CPU) -> Core 2 Duo (Dual core "Core 2")

Name suggest there will be a Core 2 Solo..

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RE: 2 2?

By dnd728 on 5/7/2006 3:05:07 PM , Rating: 2

But then next gen would be 4 quatro, won't it?

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RE: 2 2?

By dnd728 on 5/7/2006 3:06:33 PM , Rating: 1

oops, wrong place...

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RE: 2 2?

By xdrol on 5/7/2006 3:28:06 PM , Rating: 2

Why? 2 means 2nd generation. Duo means dual core. "Core 4 Quatro" should mean 4th generation with 4 cores.

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RE: 2 2?

By mendocinosummit on 5/7/06, Rating: -1

RE: 2 2?, Woodcrest

By del on 5/7/2006 4:19:52 PM , Rating: 2

Yeah, Woodcrest will still retain the Xeon name.

Core 2: Second processor line with the Core name

Duo: dual-core

I guess Kentsfield will be Core 2 Quad(ra) or Core 2 Tetra or something like that.

Not very creative, but it's not lame.

Most people don't like The Matrix series anymore because of the sequels and the video games, so I'm not sure that would sell well.

I don't really like the name "Core" for the processor, but I'm used to it by now. Besides, I don't care that much about the name, I'm excited about the performance and features; most people don't even know what a processor is, so they won't care what name is on their computers. Besides, I'm thinking of getting a Xeon anyway. =P

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he he

By Sunbird on 5/7/06, Rating: -1

RE: 2 2?, Woodcrest

By hstewarth on 5/7/2006 4:39:58 PM , Rating: 2

I with you, I planning on Xeon 5160 hopefully. Its going to cost - buts it going to be fast. Supermicro Mothernboard and case.

I think with such improvements of this new generation, its going to best to got for the high end.

I am not worry about the name, what matters is what is inside. For ones desiring server class - please note - the Xeon 50xx art Woodcrest, must be Xeon 51xx. Late june and July. I just notice some 771 motherboard popping on the sites - expect Supermicro to release press release any day for motherboards - but that is for the 50xx series cpus - but motherboard should be compatible with 51xx.

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