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krimsonfrost
07-20-2006, 10:50 PM
By Joel Santo Domingo (Analyst)

1. Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Extreme will be the fastest processors available. Faster than the Pentium EE, thanks to new techniques like Smart Cache and Wide Dynamic Execution—and, according to preliminary results, faster than the AMD FX62.
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2. Core 2 Duo overtakes the Pentium as the name in processors. Farewell Pentium: There will never be a Pentium 5, 6, or XX. A brief moment of silence, please.

3. For the first time, Intel has specifically created one unified Core architecture for all categories: Conroe (desktops), Merom (notebooks), and Woodcrest (workstation/servers). All are based on Intel's Core technologies, and all three are 64-bit-capable dual-core processors with shared enhancements.

4. All three variations (Conroe, Merom, and Woodcrest) will provide more computing power and use less energy. This will help laptops extend their battery life. It will also enable system builders to come out with thinner desktops and workstations, since lower energy means less heat, which results in fewer fans hogging case space.

5. Expanding on that, lower power also means that the fans used will be slower, so your system will be quieter. With more PCs landing in the living room or in quiet dens, "quiet" is more important than ever.

6. Core 2 Duo is, for now, engineered to drop right into some current Pentium D/EE (LGA775) motherboards (with some BIOS/Firmware updates). This will make upgraders happy—especially those who bought the latest and greatest PC last summer—and system manufacturers, who don't need to buy a bunch of different parts (and won't have to learn the intricacies of a new socket)—yet.

7. Multitasking moves to the next level. With Core 2 Duo's virtualization technology, you can turn one physical PC into several virtual systems, all running different applications and OSs. For example, theoretically you could run an FTP server on one, a Web server on another, have a database running on a third, and still be playing a game or surfing on a fourth. This is a boon for developers who want to keep "clean" virtual machines running.

8. Today, only business PCs have the TPM 1.2 protection chip built in. With Core 2 Duo, all PCs will be protected. TPM (Trusted Platform Module) protects your passwords, logons, and personal data at a hardware level from hackers, spyware, and identity thieves.

9. About the lame code-naming convention: Conroe, Merom, and Woodcrest don't exactly call to mind "speed" or "kickin' performance." Intel's desktop and workstation CPU design offices are in Oregon, California, and Texas, so it makes sense that the towns of Conroe (Texas) and Woodcrest (California) are represented in Intel's code names. And Merom? That's an ancient lake in Israel, so two guesses where the laptop chips are engineered.

10. When can you get one? Intel wants its Core 2 Duo processors in systems within a few weeks of the official launch, which rumor mills have as the last week of July. Look for systems in early August.


So how much do you guys think the price will drop with this new chip coming out? I wonder how much notebooks or pc's built with this chip will be...

PrntRhd
07-20-2006, 11:55 PM
The notebook chips already are out on the market the past two months. Read Saphalline's notes about these new chips that he already posted here in the forums in the Buying Advice forum.

saphalline
07-21-2006, 04:01 AM
1. - Every time I see "Smart Cache", I have to laugh! :D For those of us who know how the P4's front-end works, this is truly ironic!

"Wide Dynamic Execution" is slightly less hilarious, but still makes me chuckle. Native 64-bit execution is all they mean. Plus a few enhancements to the x86 execution units and some handling differences with x87 and MMX/SSE. Not all fluff here, but still mostly marketing BS.

2. - This is a big one. So long Pentium indeed! With Intel losing market share in the desktop arena faster than a leaky tire, they really need a boost here. I'm not surprised they dropped the name "Pentium", however. Their naming and numbering schemes ultimately led to the downfall of the P4, along with incongruous core revisions. Shame on Intel for making such a big deal out of the differences between a Mobile Pentium4 and a Pentium4 M. :rolleyes: And once the Pentium D vs Celeron D confused people beyond all recognition, well... it was only a matter of time.

3. - This goes back to number 2, but more importantly, this means Intel is finally taking a stand against rising R&D maintenance costs, CPU confusion among the masses, and unfair crippling of value products. Saves them money, makes things easier for consumers, and increases their FAB'ing efficiency. Everyone's a winner here.

4. - Just like we've all talked about. Take the best of the P4 and merge it with the best of the PM. Amazing what happens when you lower clock speeds, eh Intel? Oh look at that! You're back in the race against AMD! :eek: Who would have thought?... ;)

5. - OEM systems are quiet even today. The only difference is that systems with Core CPU's won't overheat and cause class-action lawsuits! :o

6. - This is the news that every enthusiast has been waiting for! Official word on socket interfaces and current mobo's! For the first time since the Pentium III, Intel is making the transition to the next big CPU design easy. I respectfully bow to Intel on this one. But I will always worship AMD for the same reason.

7. - I seriously doubt you could play a game on a 4th virtual system with those other 3 running, but hey! Maybe CPU analysts only play games like BreakOut! :rolleyes: Sorry, but I'll need all the cores and power I can get for future games with physics acceleration, geometric shaders, and multi-threading abilities. The workhorse computers at companies can run the virtual servers, while the home users support multiple web surfers at once.

8. - Oh boy! Just what I've always wanted! Processor core-level DRM support! This will be so awesome! That way, I can install my legitimate copy of Windows Vista and watch a legitimate DVD movie from the store, and all the while my computer will call the cops on me! I'll spend the night in jail only to be released the next morning with nothing more than an "I'm sorry" card from Microsoft, but hey! At least I'll have the latest technology for my PC! :mad:

9. - The average user isn't ever going to hear these core revision names. Who the f#*& cares what they bring to mind? To me, they bring to mind core revisions of Core-based CPU's from Intel. To others, they'll bring to mind red-neck word jokes from Jeff Foxworthy. Those CPU analysts are fooling themselves if they think consumers today really give a rat's a$$ about the fact that Merom is in their shiny new laptop.

10. - Well it's about time! I've been waiting for these things for MONTHS! Geez...

mjc
07-21-2006, 05:36 AM
#8. Gak!!! Urg!!! Blech!!!

hockey man
07-21-2006, 11:44 AM
What blows my mind the most is the sheer performance advancement. These this smack down their AMD couterparts. . .now for the fun part- waiting to see what AMD pulls out. . .:) O how I love the never ending computer hardware battles!

david eaton
07-21-2006, 01:55 PM
Well if going the Intel route means processor level DRM suppport, then I go AMD! Only a matter of time until they add it too I suppose :mad:

RunCMD
07-21-2006, 05:02 PM
8. Today, only business PCs have the TPM 1.2 protection chip built in. With Core 2 Duo, all PCs will be protected. TPM (Trusted Platform Module) protects your passwords, logons, and personal data at a hardware level from hackers, spyware, and identity thieves.

Interesting! Will it protect us from Microsoft Genuine Advantage? :p

PrntRhd
07-21-2006, 05:39 PM
Here is a blog re DRM from MS (and can include Intel since they partner with MS):
http://www.informationweek.com/blog/main/archives/2006/07/will_you_join_t.html

jlreich
07-21-2006, 06:52 PM
Hmm... I see Linux in future... ;)

mjc
07-21-2006, 07:11 PM
Maybe...it has been proven, at least with the development of that crap, that anything that doesn't comply can be prevented from running...and since Linus has now plans of including any of the needed crap in the kernel, then Linux could be made unable to run. :eek:

jlreich
07-21-2006, 07:15 PM
:eek: [sticks fingers in ears and closes eyes tight] :eek: La la la la la la la......

saphalline
07-23-2006, 03:19 AM
So out of all 10 points, the only one you guys object to is number 8?

I would have thought numbers 5 and 6 would be talked about as well... at the very least...

mjc
07-23-2006, 03:51 AM
5 & 6....lower power, slower fans...quieter = good. New boards not absolutely needed...just BIOS upgrades...=very good.

saphalline
07-23-2006, 04:31 AM
Haha! Good effort. :D

RunCMD
07-25-2006, 03:21 PM
5 & 6....lower power, slower fans...quieter = good. New boards not absolutely needed...just BIOS upgrades...=very good.

That's cool!... More power for the "Easy Bake Oven" :)

http://www.thinkgeek.com/stuff/41/ezbake.shtml

Elwood
07-27-2006, 10:53 AM
Don't they go on sale today (7/27/06) or just released?

madad2005
07-27-2006, 02:54 PM
Well, since AMD just halved their prices in response, I will still be sticking with AMD next time! Call me cheap! :-D Plus, with socket 939 I can keep my 2GB of DDR400. Socket939 3800+ X2 for £108... s939 3500 £59... s939 4000+ £125... I'm sorry but you can't beat those prices for an upgrade. Core 2 Duo would be a good move if you can afford a £100+ motherboard and buying DDR2 ram (if you are moving from DDR), but personally I'll wait for the prices to come down (I told you I was cheap!). I've got an acer core duo laptop and, although it is still pretty fast, it performs too similarly to my P4 with HT to make me want to go and shell out for a complete upgrade, although I suppose it is more power saving. Anyway, enough of this rant.

DRM can kiss it!

saphalline
07-29-2006, 02:15 PM
Well, one thing to consider is that CPU-based DRM might only be intrusive in the hands of an M$ OS. ;) I doubt the *nix-based OS'es are going to cause a problem here. On the third side of the fence, I think Mac OS will be in the same boat as M$ in terms of causing problems. Apple has not been outspoken in their support of DRM specifically, but they definitely like the idea of protecting their intellectual property. Not to mention their shift to x86 recently sent up a lot of sparks. They're not in a position to be rebellious or non-conforming in any way right now.

As to the sheer performance of Core 2 Duo/Solo, I have no doubt it will be quite impressive. I've seen benchmarks of Pentium M's in a desktop environment, and they weren't pushovers! Now Intel is adding more modern desktop features and a healthy dose of finesse to the mix, not to mention dual-channel DDR2 memory bandwidth. Core 2 is going to knock some socks off!

PrntRhd
07-29-2006, 07:21 PM
Don't they go on sale today (7/27/06) or just released?
The announcement was 7/27/06 and the product is already being shipped. Availability should be within 30 days from most vendors.