Intel Preps Sub-$150 Core 2 Quad Q7600

[btarunr]

Intel's counter to sub-$150 quad-core and triple-core processors from AMD, the Core 2 Quad Q7000 series is close to being formally announced. First surfaced in January, the Q7000 series quad-core processors differ from the Q8000 series with regards to cache size. It features a 1+1 MB (2 MB) L2 cache, and an 800 MHz front-side bus speed. The first in the series that is surfacing now, is the Core 2 Quad Q7600. This entry-level quad-core processor from Intel is clocked at 2.70 GHz (13.5 x 200 MHz). The processor further has a skimpy instruction set, with lack of support for SSE4.1, which most 45 nm Core series processors from Intel feature. Targeted mostly at home and office users, and tentatively priced within the $150 mark, the Core 2 Quad Q7600 will hit stores soon.



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[AltecV1]

that is .........! well you know

 

[Kenshai]

This doesn't really seem like a step forward. With 2mb of cache, I will be eager to see how well it compares to AMD's x3 and low end x4's.

 

[altruist]

Intel is just setting themselves up now.

"Benchmarks show AMD's tri-core beats Intel quad-core! Is 3 better than 4?"

 

[newtekie1]

I've wanted one since I first heard of them in January, I bet they are good overclockers...

But then I have a thing for High Multiplier, low cache, low FSB processors... I have the most fun with Celerons and Semprons!

I be they would be good for crunching/folding, does the cache really affect either that much?

 

[DarkEgo]

13.5 multi? I sence vast over clocking head room. I don't think these will be to bad.

 

[AltecV1]

intel need to lower the prizes on the Q8000! god damn gready bastards

 

[LittleLizard]

13.5 multi? I sence vast over clocking head room. I don't think these will be to bad.

+1, low cache + low bus + high multi = FUN

 

[DarkEgo]

+1, low cache + low bus + high multi = Cheap FUN

Fixed

 

[Fitseries3]

but when will it be available for purchase?

im still waiting on the F____IN e6500k and the e8700.

WHEN INTEL WHEN?

 

[lemonadesoda]

PERFECT for AGP systems. LOL!

 

[Fitseries3]

but when will it be available for purchase?

im still waiting on the F____IN e6500k and the e8700.

WHEN INTEL WHEN?

FIT,

im wonderin the same thing as you buddy.

i bought a mobo and ram just for toyin with the e8700 and e6500k but intel looks to be slackin on their end of the deal.

i think im headed in a different direction now.

something no one has done yet.

cheers mate

 

[Disparia]

Ah yes! /me twiddles fingers in amusement.

 

[CDdude55]

I guess its ok for your entry level quad core user.(2MB cache is far to low tho)

Good price.

 

[Fitseries3]

high multi and low fsb make it a cpu that will most likely OC really far despite lack of large L2 cache

 

[Scheich]

150 seems a bit expensive to burn it up just for fun. make it 20 and i am in

 

[phanbuey]

with that little cache, you would have to overclock that sucker to 4.5Ghz to get the same framerates as a 3.8 - 4.0Ghz 12MB cache quad.

 

[satelitko]

FIT,

im wonderin the same thing as you buddy.

i bought a mobo and ram just for toyin with the e8700 and e6500k but intel looks to be slackin on their end of the deal.

i think im headed in a different direction now.

something no one has done yet.

cheers mate

Talking to yourself is a bad sign.
On the topic - I'd still go with AMD.

 

[altruist]

FIT,

im wonderin the same thing as you buddy.

i bought a mobo and ram just for toyin with the e8700 and e6500k but intel looks to be slackin on their end of the deal.

i think im headed in a different direction now.

something no one has done yet.

cheers mate

I think they're only available in China.

 

[ahkiet]

I'm using an old Q6600. So this Q7000 which has higher clock speed will be faster? Is it?

 

[CDdude55]

I'm using an old Q6600. So this Q7000 which has higher clock speed will be faster? Is it?

Probably around the same, depending on the board at hand.

 

[da bahstid]

Keep your Q6600.

If I had a Q6600 I'd keep it over getting one of these. Heck even for its somewhat inflated $200 price I'd still take the Q6600 over this chip. Even at a relatively mild 3.0GHz a Q6600 will probably perform comparable to this Q7XXX chip at 3.6.

This is just a cheap way for Intel to leverage their positive reputation to eat into AMD's single brightest spot in the market, but the product itself...meh. With such a small cache and a lighter instruction set to boot, Intel's practically lowering their quads to Phenom I levels (other than overclocking headroom). Phenom II has more or less proven the importance of having good cache size.

 

[ahkiet]

thank you, i thought this would be a very affordable upgrade for me since change of processor only needed. Then i would wait like others for the lynfield and directx 11 gpu.

 

[DarkEgo]

2Mb of cash isn't the end of the world. I am sure that reviews will prove that because of the over clocking potential that this chip is sure to have will more then make up for it. It will certainly beet a Q9300, and will probably hand it to amd chips like the 710 and 920. When over clocked I suspect this to be on par with the 720 (just my thoughts, don't take it to heart).

 

[DaveK]

Or I could just get the Q8200 NOW instead of waiting for it to be stocked. 2.33GHz, 4MB Cache - €135. Overclock it and bam, cheap quad core.