Intel Core 2 Duo

Review Pages

1. Introduction
2. Core 2 Duo Line
3. Installation
4. Test setup
5. Everest Ultimate Edition 2006
6. PCMark
7. Science Mark 2.0 ∧ Pov-Ray
8. CINEBENCH
9. F.E.A.R.
10. Splinter Cell Chaos Theory
11. Overclocking - E6600
12. Overclocking - E6800
13. Conclusion

- Conroe

The first Intel Core 2 Duo processor cores, code-named Conroe, are built on a 65 nm process and are intended for replacing Pentium 4 and Pentium D series. Intel claims that the Conroe series provides 40% more performance at 40% less power, compared to the Pentium D. The Conroe processors are labeled as the E6600 and E6700 Core 2 Duo models, with the E6600 clocked at 2.4 GHz and the E6700 clocked at 2.67 GHz. The family has a 1066 MT/s front side bus, 4 MB shared L2 cache, and 65 watts TDP. The E6600 and E6700 have 4MB L2 cache, while the E6300 and E6400 versions have 2MB L2 cache.

- Conroe XE

This is currently, the top-of-the-line for Intel's CPU product line. It replaces the Pentium 4 Extreme Edition and the dual-core Pentium Extreme Edition processors. Core 2 Extreme has a clock speed of 2.93 GHz and a 1066 MT/s FSB. The TDP for this family is 75-80 watts. According to Intel, at full load the XE6800 does not exceed 45 °C (113 °F), and with SpeedStep enabled, the average temperature of the CPU when idle is 25 °C.

Like the desktop Core 2 Duo, it has 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. The good thing is that it comes with an unlocked multiplier, allowing good overclocking abilities and of course, underclocking to reduce overall temperature.

- Allendale

Allendale is a codename for the stripped down versions of the Conroe processors with only 2 MB of L2 cache. The E6300 (1.86 GHz) and E6400 (2.13 GHz), both have a 1066MT/s FSB.

Below you will find a table with all the Core2Duo CPU line and its main specs:

	Intel Core2 Duo Processor XE6800	Intel Core2 Duo Processor E6700	Intel Core2 Duo Processor E6600	Intel Core2 Duo Processor E6400	Intel Core2 Duo Processor E6300
Processor Number	XE6800	E6700	E6600	E6400	E6300
Architecture	65 nanometer technology
L2 Cache	4M	4M	4M	2M	2M
L3 Cache	N/A
Multiplier	11x	10x	9x	8x	7x
Clock Speed	2.93 GHz	2.66 GHz	2.40 GHz	2.13 GHz	1.86 GHz
Front Side Bus Speed	1066 MHz
Other Intel Technologies	Intel EM64, VTΒ, Execute Disable BitΒ, dual-core, EIST
Thermal Design	75W	65W
Package	FC-LGA
Chipset	Intel 975X Intel P965	Intel 975X Intel P965 Intel 946PL Intel 946GZ Intel Q965 Intel Q963 Intel G965
Slot/Socket Type	LGA775
Pin Count	775-land
sSpec Number	SL9S5	SL9S7	SL9S8	SL9S9	SL9SA

- Compatibility

As the above table shows, all Core2Duo series are the Socket LGA775. However, not every motherboard is compatible. Supporting chipsets besides Intel's (975X, P/G/Q965, Q963, 946GZ/PL) are: