Cheap 3.33GHz Dual-cores
Intel’ Core 2 Duo generation rapidly nears its end, but we can’t deny that this one, as with the previous Core Duo generation, really restored Intel’s hegemony on the CPU market. It’s clear that AMD has cheaper solutions as far as quad-cores are concerned, but Intel is trying to keep the balance by slashing prices once in a while. But according to some market studies, quad-cores have not yet been widely embraced, as the majority of PC users still rely on dual-cores. Speculating this aspect, Intel now announces that one of last models in the Core 2 Duo series is going to be a cheap but fast dual-core.
Known as Core 2 Duo E8600, this CPU will end up the fastest dual-core with its out-of-the-box 3.33GHz clock and 6MB cache. It will be available in Q3 for only $266 price, but that is the announced wholesale price.
Intel surely reached the cap with the 3.33GHz clock and since these are the last months of the Core 2 Duo generation, it’s fair to say that we won’t see any higher clocks until the advent of the new generation. However, we can still overclock these babies and a higher standard clock automatically means that the overclocking potential is increased, and breaking the 4GHz barrier now becomes a walk in the park.
Maybe Intel could push the clocks some more with the next-gen, but the truth is it really isn’t necessary as Phenom with its current clock speeds still lags behind.
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Comments
“…and a higher standard clock automatically means that the overclocking potential is increased…” - well, in a way, but not really. The lowest clocked CPUs are quite often the best overclockers.
I don’t know if that’s exactly correct serenity. They generally have a higher percentage of overclock, but not the raw numbers of a higher end chip. If a 2.0 clocked chip hits 3.0 that’s a 50% overclock. If a 3.33 chip hits 4.0 that’s about a 20% overclock.
I mean it’s easier now to break the 4 GHz barrier, with a decreased risk of getting your CPU fried, more or less.
Heh. “…Core 2 Duo generation rapidly nears its end”
I’m still using a single core AMD 4000 that kicks butt STILL, and it appears I’ve missed out on a complete upgrade stage…
oh, noes….. It’s a wonder my current computer can even type a response to the article, let alone do actual work, like Photoshop or Office
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