B-2 to L-2 Stepping For 2MB Conroes

[malware]

Intel is initiating a B-2 to L-2 stepping conversion for Intel Core 2 Duo processors E6300 & E6400 (Conroe) and Dual-Core Intel Xeon processors 3040 & 3050 (UP Xeon processors based on Conroe) where they will undergo the following changes:

• New S-Spec and MM numbers for the converting products
• CPUID will change from 6F6 to 6F2
• Extended HALT power specification will reduce from 22 Watts to 12 Watts
• Die size optimized for manufacturability
• Minor visible difference between the B-2 and L-2 packages; see below for a visual comparison
• L-2 package is pin compatible with B-2 package

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[EastCoasthandle]

Wow, just wow...I wonder if overclocking potential has been thrown out the window here?

 

[jocksteeluk]

lol Amd started the power reduction game but it looks like intel is trying yo finish it

 

[Homeless]

is this good or bad?

 

[EastCoasthandle]

looks bad to me

 

[kakazza]

Looks good to me, reduction of power consumption is always nice
Also I think it will be cheaper to manufacture since the cache was finally cut.

wheee~



"As AMD is stepping in 65nm process soon, its cost efficiency is the biggest advantage for the company to against Intel. As 4MB L2 Cache shared almost 60% of the transistors in Conroe, a cut to native 2MB L2 Cache may help in lower 20% of the cost. In fact, the L2 stepping samples have been sent to mainboard manufacturers in order to update the microcode for BIOS."

http://www.hkepc.com/bbs/news.php?tid=686996&starttime=0&endtime=0

 

[jocksteeluk]

after all this CPU energy consumption reduction why hast GPU's caught up yet?

 

[Deleted member 24505]

mines a 6300 b2.

 

[overcast]

after all this CPU energy consumption reduction why hast GPU's caught up yet?

Once they hit the wall, they will follow the way of the CPU. Right now it's cheaper just to crank out large, inefficient dies every 6 months.

 

[WarEagleAU]

Agreed

 

[Solaris17]

Once they hit the wall, they will follow the way of the CPU. Right now it's cheaper just to crank out large, inefficient dies every 6 months.

thats why i hope AMD does a good job with ATI im a fan boy of both but im not trying to rag on intel thats my next build anyways. the hope is that AMD will be able to stop the inefficient core thing with grfx by applying some of its processors features like shorter architecture and stuff making it more efficient and productive at lower clocks and power cunsomption. this would benifit both intel and nvidia because once they do the same thing assuming AMD/ATI do it first then bam technology boom.

 

[dsdsdk]

if e6300 and e6400 are conroe, what is an Alendale? ;-)

 

[kakazza]

The E6300 and E6400 which are/were sold up until now are 'crippled' Conroes.
Means, 2 of 4MB cache disables. So basically the same chip with different multiplier and only 2MB cache enabled.

Those with 'native 2MB cache' will be the first _true_ Allendales.

 

[Random Murderer]

does this mean the new chips (l-2) wont oc as well?

 

[Dippyskoodlez]

does this mean the new chips (l-2) wont oc as well?

This could mean EITHER.

A revision could provide much more effective use of what power it DOES have, potentially giving great strides to overclocking..

But then, there could also be things hindering overclocking- the changes in resistors, etc. Could be corner cutting. Could just be a Low power, low clock yield, too. Similar to winchesters. Didn't clock for crap, but ran like an ice cube.

ALthough if this is only for the super low end 6300/6400, I'd put my bets on lowered overclocking.