Barely wrapped your brain around dual-core processors? It only gets worse from here, folks. Welcome to quad core, by way of Intel's Core 2 Extreme QX6700. Don't let the 'Core 2' fool you (great job, Intel Product Naming department), this new chip has four physical processing cores in it that make it a multitasking beast. And if you're still stuck doing only one thing at a time on your desktop, the QX6700's promise for single-application performance is large, as well. We suspect that professionals and forward-looking gamers will be most interested in quad-core chips, and of the pros, the digital-media editors might not want to get rid of their Mac Pro's just yet. We found that with certain applications, Apple's high-end designer box is faster. At $999, the Core 2 Extreme QX6700 will likely end up in only the most expensive of desktops, but the fact is that the multicore revolution is fully upon us. You might not need a PC with such a pricey chip now, but our testing found that for applications and scenarios that will put it to the test, Intel's new quad-core chip will give you an absolute boost in performance.
We spared you the gory chip architecture details in our review of Intel's Core 2 Extreme X6800, and we're going to do the same here. The big news is doubling the number of cores to four; the rest of the chip architecture remains the same for the most part. If you must know all the ins and outs, we will refer you to our Alpha blog post that breaks down the bullet points. The key specs of the Core 2 Extreme QX6700 are its 2.66GHz-per-core clock speed, and its two separate 4MB L2 cache allotments--giving each pair of cores a 4MB pool to draw upon. That's, logically, twice as much cache as the dual-core Extreme X6800 chip. But if you've been paying attention to recent CPU developments, you might remember that the X6800 actually has a faster clock speed, coming in at 2.93GHz. Here's where multicore CPUs start to complicate our understanding of desktop processors.
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If you'll recall, both Intel and AMD have been laying the groundwork to get people away from thinking of raw megahertz as the primary indicator of processor capability. The reason in a word is heat: The faster a chip runs, the hotter it becomes. When those Pentium Extreme Edition chips started hitting 3.6GHz and higher, the cumbersome liquid-cooling hardware required to keep them from overheating became a visible, noisy reminder that heat dissipation is a major challenge for system builders. Both AMD and Intel knew this before the Extreme Edition chips came to market, of course, but with the quad-core Core 2 Extreme QX6700, the answer to the problem becomes much easier to understand than even with dual-core CPUs; rather than make the chips faster, Intel has made them able to do more things at once.
Thus, we have four processing cores, each running at 2.66GHz. You have to be able to tap into all of the cores to see a difference in performance, which is why dual-core and multicore CPUs really shine on multitasking tests. So when would you ever be doing so many things at once on a computer? What about if you wanted to burn a DVD, listen to music, and edit a photo all at the same time? Another scenario we like is playing a game on your PC while someone in another room is using that same computer to stream digital media across your home network. If you tried doing those things with a fast, single-core CPU, you'd have to trade off CPU cycles, and your performance would suffer. But with a quad-core chip, in which each core is almost as fast as one single-core processor, suddenly your options increase.
So that's multitasking. What about when you're doing just one thing at a time? That's where multithreaded applications come in. When a program can tap into multiple cores on a single CPU, it's called a multithreaded application. Games are actually a great example of how multithreaded software can benefit. It's easy to understand that when you're playing a game, the graphics processing goes out to the 3D chip and the sound effects go through an audio chip, but what about artificial intelligence? Or physics calculations? Or dynamic scenery generation that creates new environments on the fly? Now what about doing all of those things at once? That's where a multicore chip can give you a benefit. The same goes for any application that involves running more than one process--applying multiple photo filters, encoding audio and video onto a DVD, the list goes on. Many popular applications such as Photoshop and iTunes already support multiple processing threads. You can also expect that more and more programs will ship with multithreaded code.
If you're wondering what kind of performance increase you can expect from the Core 2 Extreme QX6700, we saw dramatic speed increases with multitasking and multithreaded applications compared to Intel's Core 2 Duo Extreme X6800 and AMD's AMD Athlon 64 FX-62--the fastest dual-core chips Intel and AMD had to offer, respectively. Apple's Mac Pro, however, presents a different story. Our Apple test bed (a different system than the one we reviewed back in August) has two dual-core Xeon 5160 chips, each running at 3.0GHz. That makes its raw CPU speed faster than that of the Core 2 Extreme QX6700. On some of our apps--iTunes and Photoshop in particular--differences between running the programs on Windows XP and Apple OS X likely impact performance, but it's worth noting that even with a slower hard drive, the Mac Pro outpaced the Core 2 Extreme QX6700 chip on a number of tests, likely due to its clock speed advantage.
It seems to us that the performance takeaway is that for Windows users who can afford it, the Core 2 Extreme QX6700 is the way to go for the fastest PC today. As our single-core CineBench scores show, you might run into some apps that benefit more from raw clock speed than having multiple cores, but in general, we haven't seen a faster desktop chip. But professionals who have the luxury to choose among platforms are probably better off sticking with a Mac Pro, all other things being equal. We imagine that due to its partnership with Intel, Apple will be updating the CPUs in its high-end desktop in the near future, so it's not hard to fathom a Mac Pro with a single quad-core chip or perhaps two quad-core chips, so just because the current two dual-core Xeon design isn't quite a true 'quad-core CPU,' Mac loyalists shouldn't feel like they're limiting themselves.
Multitasking test (in seconds)
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)
Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6700
Intel Core 2 Extreme X6800
AMD Athlon 64 FX-62
Multimedia multitasking test (in seconds)
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)
Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6700
Apple Mac Pro
Intel Core 2 Extreme X6800
AMD Athlon 64 FX-62
Note: QuickTime for Windows version 7.1; QuickTime for Mac version 7.1.3;iTunes for Windows version 6.0.4.2; iTunes for Mac version 7.0.1
PyMOL molecular-modeling rendering test (in seconds)
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)
Apple Mac Pro
Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6700
Intel Core 2 Extreme X6800
AMD Athlon 64 FX-62
Note: PyMOL for Windows version 0.99rc6; MacPyMOL for Mac version 0.99rc6
Adobe Photoshop CS2 image-processing test (in seconds)
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)
Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6700
Intel Core 2 Extreme X6800
Apple Mac Pro
AMD Athlon 64 FX-62
Apple iTunes encoding test (in seconds)
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)
Apple Mac Pro (three threads)
Intel Core 2 Extreme X6800
AMD Athlon 64 FX-62
Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6700 (three threads)
Note: iTunes for Windows version 6.0.4.2; iTunes for Mac version 7.0.1
CineBench 9.5
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
Rendering Multiple CPUs | Rendering Single CPU |
![Core2 Duo E6600 Core2 Duo E6600](/uploads/1/2/4/8/124885474/878167537.jpg)
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Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6700434
AMD Athlon 64 FX-62417
Intel Core 2 Extreme X6800481
Quake 4 CPU-limited performance test (in fps)
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
(800x600, low quality, AA off, AF off) |
Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6700 (two - three threads)
Intel Core 2 Extreme X6800
Apple Mac Pro (two - three threads)
AMD Athlon 64 FX-62
But say you wanted to build your own quad-core PC. You won't be able to purchase the Core 2 Extreme QX6700 until November 14, and on that date, you'll also have to decide between building one on your own and buying one from Dell, Gateway, Velocity Micro, or any of the other typically high-end PC vendors. If you do go it alone, you'll need an Intel 975XBX2-based motherboard. As the company did with the original Core 2 Duo chips, we expect that Nvidia will have a compatible motherboard chipset for sale as well, but as of November 1, it hadn't announced anything. Neither Intel's nor Nvidia's previous Core 2 Duo-supporting chipsets are compatible with the Core 2 Extreme QX6700, so if you recently purchased such a motherboard, you'll need to upgrade. Memory support officially includes 533MHz and 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM, with unofficial support for faster 800MHz DDR2 RAM.
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- 1066 MHz FSB
- 65nm Conroe 65W
- 4M shared L2 Cache
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- Overview
- Specifications
- Warranty & Returns
- Reviews
Built on the innovative Intel Core microarchitecture, the Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 processor features two independent processor cores in one physical package operating at 2.4GHz with a full 4MB L2 cache and a 1066MHz FSB to provide truly parallel computing for enhanced multi-application performance.
PC users are running multiple, intense software applications simultaneously and demanding more on hardware resources. In office, PC usage has changed from data entry and word processing to e-Commerce, online collaboration and an ever-increasing need for continual security and virus protection. In the home, interests have shifted from low-bandwidth photos and Internet surfing to downloading and viewing high definition videos as well as advanced photo and video editing. The all-new Intel Core 2 Duo processor was developed to meet all these demands. There are reviewers who say that this is a CPU design for Intel which will really change the industry and what gamers consider as the CPU of choice.
Other features including Intel Wide Dynamic Execution, Intel Smart Memory Access, Intel Advanced Smart Cache and Intel Digital Media Boost, all help the processor do more in less time.
Learn more about Intel-powered ultrabooks. Check out our Ultrabooks store page.
- Dual-Core Processing with 4MB L2 Cache The Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 processor features two independent processor cores in one physical package running at 2.4GHz with a full 4MB L2 cache and a 1066MHz FSB to provide truly parallel computing for enhanced multi-application performance.
- Intel Virtualization Technology (Intel VT) With Intel VT, one hardware platform functions as multiple 'virtual' platforms. For business, Intel VT offers improved manageability, limiting downtime and maintaining worker productivity by isolating computing activities into separate partitions. In the home, Intel VT allows creating unique user environments for multiple family members using the same platform simultaneously.
- Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology Support Multiple performance modes enable optimum performance at the lowest power, using real-time dynamic switching of the voltage and frequency between multiple performance modes based on CPU demands.
- Intel Extended Memory 64 Technology (Intel EM64T) Intel EM64T provides an enhancement to Intel 32-bit architecture by enabling the desktop processor platform to access larger amounts of memory. With appropriate 64-bit supporting hardware and software, platforms based on an Intel processor supporting Intel EM64T can enable use of extended virtual and physical memory
Learn more about Core 2 Duo E6600
- Warranty
- Limited Warranty period (parts): 3 years
- Limited Warranty period (labor): 3 years
- Manufacturer Contact Info
- Manufacturer Product Page|
- Website: https://www.intel.com|
- Support Phone: 800-538-3373
- Support Website|
- Return Policies
- Return for refund within: Non-refundable
- Return for replacement within: 30 days
- This item is covered by Newegg.com's Replacement Only Return Policy.
Verified Owner
Pros: Sadly it's time to retire this build. I've been running this at 2.4 GHz since 2007 on an Intel board. Six years daily as my do everything computer and five years sharing and backing up my household files.
Cons: None
Ownership: more than 1 year
Lasting performance throughout the years7/18/2015 11:31:11 AM
Pros: - Two cores with 2.4 GHz; outdated today but fantastic in 2006
- Handled gaming very well until 2011
- Good balance of value and performance
- Performance was definitely improved by higher-speed RAM
- Handled gaming very well until 2011
- Good balance of value and performance
- Performance was definitely improved by higher-speed RAM
Cons: - Only two cores which was sub-standard by 2010
- Gaming capability fell substantially by 2011
- Did not pair well with AMD video cards
- Speed plateaued at 4GB of RAM
- Overclocking was virtually impossible when this card was current
- Gaming capability fell substantially by 2011
- Did not pair well with AMD video cards
- Speed plateaued at 4GB of RAM
- Overclocking was virtually impossible when this card was current
Other Thoughts: I had this CPU running with 2GB of 1033MHz RAM for the first year I had it, then upgraded to 4GB of 1333MHz in 2011. As mentioned, gaming performance fell later in its life, but was excellent until 2010. I also rendered video with it without problems until 2012, but never exceeded 1080p. Anything above 1080p would've been slideshow city on this thing. Still a great CPU with long life.
Ownership: more than 1 year
Pros: Rock solid
Cons: none
Other Thoughts: Doing third build with this CPU
Ownership: more than 1 year
The little processor that could2/12/2014 8:21:39 AM
Pros: 7 years strong and still chugging along just fine at 3.2ghz.
Cons: None.
Other Thoughts: A 2.4ghz processor overclocked an extra 800mhz. Pretty impressive. Even more impressive that its ran for 7 years with a 800mhz overclock and still running strong with no sighns of death in its sight.
Intel just did the C2D series way to good.
Intel just did the C2D series way to good.
Ownership: more than 1 year
Pros: Still going strong oced at 3.5 daily
Cons: none
Other Thoughts: wow still going strong still keeps up 6 years later
Ownership: more than 1 year
Pros: Reviewed this back on 11/5/07. At that point, it had been running smoothly since February of that year. I managed to get this chip up to 3.6Ghz shortly after 11/5/07 and it stayed there until 1/2009 when I put it in a rig for a friend. Due to MOBO limitations, I was only able to clock it up to 3.4Ghz, but it is still humming along in that same PC. So, the way I see it 6 years in service (and going) at 40-50% OC without so much as a hiccup should be worth more than 5 eggs. Alas, Newegg only has 5 eggs to give :)
Cons: Considering the price I paid, how well it overclocked and given that it STILL fights like a champ 6 years later, there can't possibly be any cons.
Other Thoughts: If you need an older LGA 775 chip for a system and you can't afford or don't need one of the quad-core chips, the E6600 (Conroe, not the Pentium version) should be on your short list. For the record, the only remaining original components still in service from my 2/2007 build are this CPU, the PSU and...the case. If only all computer components had this kind of longevity after years and years of abuse...
Ownership: more than 1 year
Pros: Good CPU never had any problems
Cons: Couldn't over clock
Other Thoughts: Listed under Cons but not really a con. just could not get this guy to over clock, maybe just the outside of the wafer stamp. but could not get this beast to overclock past 2.6 from 2.4 even with a good motherboard (BFG 680i).
Ownership: more than 1 year
Multiple units still going strong9/3/2012 1:28:04 PM
Pros: Years after their introduction, I still have these chips powering my NAS and servers. They have no problems handling the moderate 24/7 workloads I give them.
Cons: Not Ivy Bridge?
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