Core 2 Reviews All Around the Web

NerdMaster writes "NDA for Intel Core 2 CPUs was lifted on the night from yesterday to today and all major hardware reviewing websites are posting Core 2 Duo E6700 and Core 2 Xtreme X6800 reviews. Here is a collection of several reviews so you can check for yourself whether Core 2 Duo is faster or not than Athlon 64 X2. Reviews posted at Tom's Hardware Guide, AnandTech, HEXUS, Hardware Secrets, OCAU, TweakTown, HotHardware, The Tech Report, Trusted Reviews, Legion Hardware, bit-tech, ExtremeTech, Legit Reviews, Sharky Extreme, HardOCP, PC Perspective, GotFrag Hardware, Gamepyre, X-bit Labs - Part 1, tbreak, neoseeker and Byte Sector." We've already touched on this technology, but there has been (obviously) a lot of discussion about it since it was announced.

Dear AMD fanboys

[Iamthefallen]

Yes, we all know that GPU is a much greater limitation than the CPU. You don't need to point this out, again.

Yes, we all know that because of this, you don't need a top of the line CPU to play the latest games. You don't need to point this out, again.

But dammit, how about just being exited over what appears to be a big step forward in CPU performance, price, and power consumption? How about focusing on the technology and the application of it rather than the brand?

Eventually, AMD will adopt these things as well, and possibly improve on them to try to overtake Intel. Competition and innovation is a Good Thing(tm) for all of us, and not just when it's AMD doing it.

I'm currently running AMD on all my machines and was looking at upgrading to a X2 CPU later this year. Core 2 Duo has completely changed that. Instead I'm looking at an Intel based system where the money I save on the CPU can be put towards a stronger video card instead.

Re:Dear AMD fanboys

[3dWarlord]

I'm currently running AMD on all my machines and was looking at upgrading to a X2 CPU later this year. Core 2 Duo has completely changed that. Instead I'm looking at an Intel based system where the money I save on the CPU can be put towards a stronger video card instead.

Isn't this a bit premature? It is confirmed that AMD will drastically reduce prices on their X2 line of CPUs around Conroe's launch. Shouldn't you wait to see what offers the best price/performance ratio? It seems like you have exhibited a knee-jerk anti-AMD-fanboy response. I would argue that this attitude is equally as bad in principle.

Re:So what will AMD do?

[Andrzej Sawicki]

The 65nm process from AMD will give us another interesting animal: a 35 W desktop processor. 100% passive cooling without a ridiculously expensive case would be pretty nice, eh?

Re:Dear AMD fanboys

[LiquidCoooled]

For the price I usually pay for components, all this dick waving from Intel/AMD is useless.
I want a CPU which does the job I need it for.
I didn't wave my hands when AMD took the lead, I don't cheer when Intel get it back.
I just look at my requirements and budget and get what fits.
There have only been a couple of CPUs I have actively wanted or kept away from (the celeron 300a and the Thunderbird 1.4 after the THG report)

And yes, it looks like Intel have got their act together, its like theres a big lead time for them, but when they get moving it really does move which is good since in the workplace we are standardised on Intel gear.

Re:Dear AMD fanboys

[eric_brissette]

And next year (or 2) AMD will pass Intel again and you'll have to change your mind again. Why don't you just stick with AMD since it was their competition that brought you this little gem from Intel? Without AMD, you'd still have a 3.0 Ghz P4 and youd be paying $700 for it.

Personally, I don't care. I don't see how anyone could consider that they owe any company their business. I'm sorry, but AMD is not going to love you back.

The only reason all of my machines have AMD processors right now is because they were the best I could buy at the time. I'm not interested in some alternate universe where AMD doesn't exist. I will make my purchasing decision based on quality and price, just like with everything else I buy. If AMD has something better in two years, great, that's what I'll be buying in two years. That's how capitalism works.

64bit performance

[billhubbard]

The Core 2 Duo benchmarks are impressive. But where are the tests for 64bit performance?
Does Core 2 Duo have a problem with 64bit code like the old Pentium 4?

Re:Dear AMD fanboys

[fbjon]

I'm a musician, and I need all the processing power I can get, the more the better. It also needs to be quiet, as in no noise at all. So yes, some people need low heat and fast performance in their desktops.

SIngle CPU is ok, but dual....

[Gr8Apes]

First off - kudos to Intel for bringing out a chip that's competitive with AMD, finally. Personally, I too will most likely be buying one of the new E66xx+ chips. They are faster than AMD's best, in a single CPU setup. It depends upon whether I decide to "cheap" it out initially, and only go single CPU, or whether I go multi-CPU.

If you're looking at multiple CPU systems, the entire scenery changes and AMD is still on top, from what I've been able to see. Intel is still subject to the FSB, and still doesn't have a multi-CPU solution. AMD, meanwhile, rocks in this arena, with multiple CPUs being almost indistinguishable from single CPUs.

Lastly, if AMD comes out with 2-4MB cache CPUs, I think they'll at least be equivalent to if not better than the current Intel offerings, and that's with 2+ year old tech. I still eagerly await the next round of AMD CPUs, due in about 9 months, but that won't be for this next upgrade.

Re:So what will AMD do?

[Firehed]

I know we're starting to venture a bit off topic, but I think having finished off PPC with the G5 towers moving to Intel, presumably Conroe, would be a safe bet, though an update to the portables to use the Merom chips if they're available wouldn't be unlikely either. That or the much-rumored true Video iPod. Or both!

Enough about Core 2 Duo. I'm a database guy...

[bshensky]

...and I/O throughput is the most important indicator to me. Wouldn't the Anandtech Business benchmarks suggest that the AMD FX64 is better for raw I/O throughput?

Or would RAID 5 SCSI or WD Raptor disks ipso facto obliterate that argument?

I'm confused!

C2D Motherboards are way too expensive

[CrimsonSamurai]

The prices for Core 2 Duo compatible motherboards are just plain atrocious. I'm not paying $260 for a high-end Intel based motherboard. It does not have SLI support and thus in my eyes does not justify the hefty price tag. For this reason I may choose to go AM2. I am only a college student and my upgrade money comes from what extra money I have left over from my summer job and my birthday. I'm looking for a cost-effective solution, and although the Core 2 Duo prices themselves look good, the motherboard prices are just plain ugly.

So chances are I will pick up either a nForce 590 SLI or 570 SLI based motherboard. Currently I am looking at the Abit Fatal1ty AN9 or the MSI K9N SLI. I'm leaning toward the Abit as it is a 590 board but is still reasonably priced at $180 (at eWiz).

Anyhow, just my 2 cents on the high prices of C2D mobos.

Re:The giant has awakened ...

[MtViewGuy]

One thing though: isn't the Conroe-core CPU's actually based heavily on the excellent Pentium III-M low-power CPU's with its excellent on-die cache control? It appears that Intel has finally come out with an excellent CPU core that is not only great for the latest games, but also can tackle higher-end multimedia file editing at reasonable speeds (as anyone who tries to do Photoshop image editing or Premiere video files can attest).

Re:Dear AMD fanboys

[Odin_Tiger]

One tiny problem, but it more than tips the scales IMHO: Boards. Hop over to newegg and look for boards with full support for the C2D's capabilities. Not just "if you plug it in it will boot", but meeting the FSB speed, DDR2, plenty of slots and plugs, etc. The variety is lacking and untried. The E6300 looks -very- appealing right now, but until there is more choice among boards (and until they've had 3 - 6 months to work out BIOS kinks), C2D is not something I'll be giving much consideration.

price/performance is all that matters to me

[lateralus_1024]

I will gladly "upgrade" to a x2 as soon as the price cuts hit. The intel guy will have to buy a new MB and Processor. This is why I love AMD; A bios upgrade and my 939 MB is ready for a facelift.