Date:
Tuesday , July 11, 2006
Category:
CPU / Processors
Manufacturers:
Intel
Author:
Kyle Bennett
Editor:
Steve Lynch

Intel Core 2 Desktop Pricing and Specifications

While Intel has already leaked and released much of the information about their Core 2 / Conroe core, we do have a some Intel documents to show to you today that have yet to hit the streets, along with Intel's new destkop pricing structure as well.

Introduction

Intel is today pulling back the information embargo on Intel's new line of desktop processors based on their "Core" architecture. The processors will not be available until the 27th of this month. Currently the desktop processors are split into two groups. The Intel Core 2 Duo, and the Intel Core 2 Extreme. For performance analysis, please see our Intel Core 2 Gaming Performance and Intel Core 2 Music, Images, & Movie Performance articles. For more on power please see our Intel Core 2 Duo & Extreme Power Consumption article.

Intel is following AMD's style of product line-ups in terms of model number and placement, as their flagship processors will carry an "Extreme" moniker, but in reality the Extreme parts differ little from the products placed below them other than clock speed. Intel's flagship model Extreme processor, the X6800 will run at a clock speed of 2.93GHz using a 1066MHz front side bus and have 4MB of L2 processor cache. In contrast, the non-Extreme E6700 Duo processor right below it will be identical except it will operate at a mere 260MHz lower clock speed. All of these processors are of course dual core.

Below you will see a couple Intel slides describing how they are placing each processor brand in the market. Obviously these are marketing tools rather than tech specifications which follow on the proceeding pages.

Core 2 Duo

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Core 2 Extreme

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Intel Core 2 Duo and Extreme Pricing

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Undoubtedly what sticks out like a sore thumb is not the high price of the X6800, as that has come to be expected from Intel flagship CPUs, but rather the pricing gap between the X6800 and the E6700. At a price difference of $469, that comes to around $1.80 per MHz for the extra 260MHz.