DailyTech - New Core 2 Processors Around the Corner

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Hardware New Core 2 Processors Around the Corner
Anh Tuan Huynh (Blog) - December 19, 2006 12:28 PM

52 comment(s) - last by Tedtalker1.. on Dec 22 at 6:04 PM

Intel's roadmap adds more quad-core and value dual-core in the pipeline

It’s been a while since Intel last made notable updates to its desktop processor roadmap. Last month DailyTech revealed Intel is expected to launch a variety of new Core 2 Duo and Pentium E 2100 processors including refreshed Conroe based products next year. Intel’s latest desktop roadmap reveals more new processors and removes some previously reported models.

Intel Core 2 Quad
Model	Core Frequency	L2 Cache	FSB	Pricing
Q6600	2.40 GHz	8MB	1066 MHz	$851
Q6400	2.13 GHz	8MB	1066 MHz	NA

Intel is expected to release its first mainstream quad-core Core 2 Quad Q6600 early next year. The processor is still on track for a Q1’2007 launch with an $851 per-unit in 1,000 unit quantities price tag. While this may seem a bit steep, Intel is expected to cut the price of the Core 2 Quad 6600 down to $530 per-unit in 1,000 unit quantities when Q2’2007 rolls around.

The Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 won’t be the only one in the Core 2 Quad family though. Somewhere between Q2’2007 to Q3’2007 Intel will add one more member to its Core 2 Quad family. This will arrive as the Core 2 Quad Q6400. The Core 2 Quad Q6400 will be clocked at 2.13 GHz and operate on a 1066 MHz front-side bus. It will have an 8MB L2 cache with support for Intel VT, Enhanced Intel Speedstep, Intel EM64T and NX bit technologies.

Intel Core 2 Duo E6xxx
Model	Core Frequency	L2 Cache	FSB	Q2'07 Pricing
E6850	3.0 GHz	4MB	1333 MHz	N/A
E6750	2.66 GHz	4MB	1333 MHz	N/A
E6700	2.66 GHz	4MB	1066 MHz	$316
E6600	2.40 GHz	4MB	1066 MHz	$224
E6550	2.33 GHz	4MB	1333 MHz	N/A
E6420	2.13 GHz	4MB	1066 MHz	$183
E6400	2.13 GHz	2MB	1066 MHz	$183
E6320	1.86 GHz	4MB	1066 MHz	$163
E6300	1.86 GHz	2MB	1066 MHz	$163

Moving onto the dual-core product roadmap Intel has made a few changes to its latest roadmap. Gone from the latest roadmap is the Core 2 Duo E6390 which was essentially a Core 2 Duo E6400 with Intel VT and vPro extensions disabled. The previously reported Intel Core 2 Duo E6650 has been renamed in the latest roadmap. The latest roadmap has renamed the Core 2 Duo E6650 to Core 2 Duo E6550. Aside from the naming changes it remains a 1333 MHz front-side bus processor clocked at 2.33 GHz.

Previous roadmaps have indicated that 3.0 GHz Core 2 Duo processors will be available next year as well. Currently, this remains unchanged.

New to this roadmap are new Intel Core 2 Duo E6420 and E6320 processors. These processors are clocked at 2.13 GHz and 1.86 GHz like the Core 2 Duo E6400 and E6300. However, the Core 2 Duo E6420 and E6320 will have 4MB of L2 cache instead of the 2MB found on the Core 2 Duo E6400 and E6300. The two processors are expected to launch in Q2’2007. Pricing for the Core 2 Duo E6420 and E6320 will be $183 and $163 in 1,000 unit quantities respectively.

Intel Core 2 Duo E4xxx
Model	Core Frequency	L2 Cache	FSB	Q2'07 Pricing
E4400	2.00 GHz	2MB	800 MHz	$133
E4300	1.80 GHz	2MB	800 MHz	$113

Since the Core 2 Duo E6420 and E6320 are endowed with 4MB of L2 cache this leaves room for the new Core 2 Duo E4x00 series processors. It was previously reported the Core 2 Duo E4x00 series was expected to have two models—the Core 2 Duo 4400 and 4200. However the roadmap has changed and the Core 2 Duo E4200 has been scrapped. Nevertheless in place of the Core 2 Duo E4200 is a new E4300. The Core 2 Duo E4300 is clocked at 1.8 GHz on an 800 MHz front-side bus. It’s expected to launch late January with pricing starting at $163 in 1,000 unit quantities. The Core 2 Duo E4300 is expected to have a one year life cycle with a product discontinuance notice expected in Q4’2007 and reach end-of-life in Q1’2008.

Joining the Core 2 Duo E4300 will be the Core 2 Duo E4400. The Core 2 Duo E4400 is expected to arrive in Q2’2007. It will be clocked at 2.0 GHz and priced at $133 in 1,000 unit quantities. With the launch of the Core 2 Duo E4300 in Q2’2007, Intel is expected to slash prices on the Core 2 Duo E4300 down to $113 in 1,000 unit quantities.

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RE: Question

By therealnickdanger on 12/20/2006 10:08:57 AM , Rating: 2

I don't know about about bottlenecks, but the Q-core CPUs sacrifice some frames due to their lower clock-speed. So for the "OMGXTREEM!!1" gamer who needs 145fps instead of 122fps in Quake4 is more likely to purchase a higher-clocked dual-core. However, despite the current shortage or multi-threaded games, there are quite a few on the horizon and patches being devised for current ones. I've got an E6300 C2D which is more than enough for me until UT2K7 drops, then I'll snag a "low-end" quad-core and drop it in.

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