The Processor – Intel Core 2 QX9650

Intel’s new quad-core processor still consists of two dual-core processors combined in one CPU package. Penryn is actually the codename for the dual-core version, while the quad-core version is called Yorkfield.

The following table highlights the differences between the old and the new technology by comparing current quad-core models.

Technology Comparison

	Penryn QX9650	Conroe QX6850
Clock Speed	3.00 GHz	3.00 GHz
FSB	333 MHz	333 MHz
Cache	2x 6 MB	2x 4 MB
Process	45 nm	65 nm
Transistors	820 Mio.	586 Mio.
Die-Area	214 mm²	286 mm²
TDP	130 W	130 W

This is the CPU we used for all of our benchmarks and tests.

The Core 2 Extreme QX9650 that we received from Intel uses the C0 stepping.

While CPU-Z was unable to identify the stepping, Everest had no such problems.

• 5 – The Processor – Intel Core 2 Q...
  

  1. 1 – Revamping the Core 2 Architecture – New Flagship: Extreme QX9650
  2. 2 – New Dielectric Minimizes Leakage Currents
  3. 3 – 45 nm – Higher Yield, Smaller Die Area
  4. 4 – 12 MB L2 Cache and SSE 4
  5. 5 – The Processor – Intel Core 2 QX9650
  6. 6 – Overclocking I – 3.33 GHz
  7. 7 – Overclocking II – 3.66 GHz
  8. 8 – Overclocking III – 3.8 GHz
  9. 9 – Overclocking IV – 4 GHz at very high Voltage
  10. 10 – Overclocking V – 4 GHz at FSB 1600
  11. 11 – Overclocking – Up to 19% more Performance
  12. 12 – Overclocking to 4.0 GHz – FSB1600 Offers no Advantage
  13. 13 – Sensational: Idle Power Consumption of only 3.79 Watts
  14. 14 – Very Good - 73 Watts for Four Cores
  15. 15 – Lower Core Voltage – 1.250 Volts
  16. 16 – Operating Temperature – 12°C Lower
  17. 17 – Penryn-Based Core 2 CPUs – Models, Prices and a new Boxed Cooler
  18. 18 – Performance Comparison Old vs. New – 6.9% Better Performance
  19. 19 – Intel 45% faster than AMD
  20. 20 – Test Setup
  21. 21 – Software Configuration
  22. 22 – Benchmarks and Settings
  23. 23 – 3D Games: UT2004, Prey
  24. 24 – 3D Games: Quake 4, Warhammer
  25. 25 – 3D Games: Supreme Commander, Serious Sam 2
  26. 26 – 3D Rendering: Cinema 4D, 3D-Studio Max
  27. 27 – Applications: AVG, WinRAR
  28. 28 – Applications: Photoshop, PDF
  29. 29 – Applications: Deep Fritz
  30. 30 – Audio Encoding: iTunes, Lame
  31. 31 – Synthetic: Sandra CPU
  32. 32 – Synthetic: Sandra Memory
  33. 33 – Synthetic: Sandra Multimedia
  34. 34 – Synthetic: PC-Mark
  35. 35 – Synthetic: 3D-Mark
  36. 36 – Video Encoding: Xvid, Pinnacle Studio
  37. 37 – Video Encoding: Premiere, MainConcept
  38. 38 – Video Encoding: HDTV, DivX
  39. 39 – Video Encoding: CloneDVD
  40. 40 – Conclusion: Less Noise, More Efficiency, More Speed and More Overclockin...
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