Intel Releases New Midrange Chips

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Intel has released several new mid-range processors all based on its 45nm process technology from both the Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Quad lines. PC gaming vendors are expected to manufacture new systems based on these processors shortly.

At the head of the pack is the Core 2 Quad Q9650, which uses a 9x multiplier for a core clock of 3.0GHz on a 1333 MHz FSB and has 12 MB of L2 cache. The chip has a Thermal Design Power of 95W and is based on the new E0 stepping compared to the Core 2 Quad Q9550, which is based on the C1 stepping. Intel reports the official pricing at $530. The Core 2 Quad Q9400 is easier on the wallet. This processor has an 8x multiplier for a frequency of 2.66 GHz on a 1333 MHz FSB, but will be limited to a 6MB Level 2 cache. The Q9400 is based on the R0 stepping which replaces the older M1 stepping used on the Q9300. As with the Q9650, the Q9400 has a 95W TDP. The official price of this CPU is $266.

Intel has not left its dual core lineup out in the cold either, with the release of the Core 2 Duo E8600. The Core 2 Duo E8600 uses a 10x multiplier on a 1333 MHz FSB to attain an impressive stock clock speed of 3.33 GHz, making it the fastest Core 2 Duo on the market. The E8600 has 6MB of L2 cache and is based on the E0 stepping, which replaces the C0 stepping of previous E8000 series chips. It also maintains a TDP of 65W. Intel prices this chip at $266 as with the Q9400.

Finally, the Core 2 Duo E7300 brings up the rear with a 10x multiplier on a 1066 MHz FSB, giving it a clock speed of 2.66 GHz with 3MB L2 cache. Unlike all of the other CPUs in this new lineup, the E7300 does not introduce a new stepping, but is based on the M0 stepping just like the E7200. It also has the same 65W TDP. The official price of the E7300 at release is an attractive $133.

As a bit of icing on the cake, Intel has announced cuts to official prices on both the Core 2 Quad Q9550 and the Xeon X3360, which will both be reduced from $530 to a far more affordable $316.

Intel’s new Core i7 (the official name for the microarchitechture Nehalem) is just around the corner, but for those of you who intend to cling to your LGA775 systems, these new chips will provide a decent upgrade to tide you over until Core i7, as well as compatible motherboards and DDR3 RAM, reach affordable prices for the majority of people.

13 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Aww... When's the E5200 coming out? =(.
    Reply
  • jimmysmitty
    Oohhhh.... I wanna see how well the Q9650 OCs. It should OC as well as a E8400 since it uses the same multi.
    Reply
  • jimmysmittyOohhhh.... I wanna see how well the Q9650 OCs. It should OC as well as a E8400 since it uses the same multi.
    That makes absolutely no sense. The multiplier does not directly correlate to how 'OCable' a chip is... The Q6600 used a 9x multiplier and didn't OC the same as an E8400. There's a lot more that goes into it than just that.
    Reply
  • Mr_Man
    MagicalMuleAww... When's the E5200 coming out? =(.Never.
    The e7300 sounds like a e8600 with half the cache just like the e7200 is about like a e8500 with half the cache. The FSB is artificially lowered, but can be overclocked fairly easily, according to reviews. At about the same price point, the e7300 sounds like a good bet for me. 400 FSB x 10 = 4GHz. Yum.
    Reply
  • Pei-chen
    The C2Q Q9XX0 series is so dominant I don't see how AMD can compete against this. C2Q is fast, cool, energy efficient, overclockable and relatively cheap. The only thing Phenom has going for is lower platform cost; $100~140 for a high end 780g/790gx board.
    Reply
  • elbert
    Well the E8600 was the only dual core to get a new stepping. Don/t think any dual core is worth more than the Q6600. E8600 isn't worth the price as the Q9400 with new RO stepping may get a good OC. Cant add additional cores so not worth the cheapest quads price.

    The Q9400 got a new stepping but its not going to be used to make a dual core R0. Bet this changes when they run out of the old stock for the E7300.

    Price drop on the Q9550 was nice but what of the Q9450? With core i7 and back to school I would think Intel would start cutting prices across the board.

    What happened to the 6 core versions Intel promised?
    Reply
  • itadakimasu
    awww.... almost makes me wish i had waited another month to build my computer :(

    and elbert is right... no price cut on the 9450? but introduce the 9400 which almost as god for $50-60 less and then the 9550 @ just a little more $10)..
    Reply
  • BSMonitor
    Frys has Q9450 for $279.99.

    I wonder if Q9450 has reached EOL? Can Tom's or someone confirm? No more Q9450's from Intel?
    Reply
  • Slobogob
    What happened to the Q8xxx series? I saw it available for preorder weeks ago.
    Reply
  • gsteacy
    Shadow703793The 10x multi on the E7300 helps.I really want one of those :)
    BSMonitorFrys has Q9450 for $279.99. I wonder if Q9450 has reached EOL? Can Tom's or someone confirm? No more Q9450's from Intel? I have seen alot of people mention that around the net, and it makes sense, since it's only advantage over the Q9400 is having double the cache. It's not yet listed as discontinued on Intel's website, but they also don't list the Q9650 yet, so they're a little slow.
    http://ark.intel.com/cpugroup.aspx?familyID=28398
    SlobogobWhat happened to the Q8xxx series? I saw it available for preorder weeks ago. They're not even on the processor finder yet, but they're expected to be released on August 31st. Here's to hoping Intel delivers on the speculation :)
    Reply