Processor: Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650
To stay at the top of our game we really only had two choices, the QX9650 or QX9770 from Intel. Both of these Core 2 Extreme processors feature the same pair of dual core Penryn dice, providing a total of 12 MB L2 cache. The so called Wolfdale “core” also features a 45nm manufacturing process using intel’s latest “High-K” gate oxide to reduce power consumption and decrease transistor switching time (for higher clock speeds).
Clocked at 3.2 GHz and using a 1600 MHz FSB data rate, the QX9770 would appear to be the clear performance choice over the 3.0 GHz, FSB-1333 QX9650. However, our QX9650 had two advantages over our QX9770: Better overclocking and lower list price.
Though we can’t guarantee anyone else will have the same overclocking experience, the fact that our QX9650 has proven itself capable of overclocking 100-200 MHz farther than our QX9770 indicates that luck-of-the-draw plays at least some part in Intel’s validation process. And yes, we do plan on overclocking. Meanwhile, the QX9650’s lower list price leaves a little extra room in our budget for additional components.
The QX9650 is the first of several parts we retained from our March System Builder Marathon.
