Intel and AMD Set For Quad Core Showdown
Posted by Sean Fallon on July 22, 2006
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Last week Nerd Approved posted a review of the new Core 2 Duo chips from Intel - finding that they are far superior to anything AMD currently offers.
Back in February, it was discovered that Intel would release a quad core chipset in early 2007. However, according to bit-tech, Intel’s CEO Paul Otellini has announced that the release date will be moved up to Q4 of this year. We also know that AMD will be releasing their own quad core processors by mid 2007 - thereby setting up yet another showdown between the world’s top chip makers.
So here are the two big questions that arise from all of this:
A. What is the difference between the new offerings by Intel and AMD?
B. A. Should I buy a dual core processor even though the quad cores are only a few months away?
First off, the Intel quad core design will feature two dual core (Conroe) chips packaged together into one socket. AMD’s offering will feature four distinct processors on a single die - making it the only true quad core processor.
In the meantime AMD’s 4X4 initiative, which puts 2 dual-core FX-62’s on one motherboard, is the only competition the company can muster against Intel’s Conroe until their true quad processor arrives next year. Unfortunately, this setup is prohibitively expensive and generally useless when you consider that most of the software out can’t even take advantage of dual core yet.
That having been said, hardcore PC enthusiasts who are determined to upgrade and are planning on going quad core should consider purchasing the midrange version of the new Core 2 Duo’s (Core 2 Duo E6600 / $316). On the other hand, the practical consumer might be interested in a higher end model until more software is able to take advantage of a quad core design.
Posted by Sean
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