Game Over? Core 2 Duo Knocks Out Athlon 64

[schmosef]

http://www.tomshardware.com/2006/07/14/core2_duo_knocks_out_athlon_64/

Looks like AMD has some catch up work to do. This next year should be very exciting.

These days I'm slobering over the idea of building a 2 CPU Xeon Woodcrest 5160 based workstation.

I can't wait!

[Nowhere]

Nothing bad about it...Athlons 64/64 X2/Semprons will become much cheaper.

[ZokesPro]

I'm sure that AMD won't sit idly watching Intel pass them by.

[Jammrock]

AMD is dropping their prices by the end of the week to undercut the Core 2's in price. There is also the K8L core coming out that implements a lot of the changes that Intel made for Core 2 - if rumors are documents people have unearthed are true.

K8L is due out in 1H 2007. Some links:

http://www.pureoverclock.com/article37.html

http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=32948

Jammrock

[VJ]

I'm just wondering about the future...

Stable software on a single CPU system sometimes looks like a challenge - even today. But now with the core duo, and considering that Intel has set forward a core 32 by 2010, what impact will it have on software quality?
I mean, if they force the software not to run multithreaded, there is little benefit in these CPUs. And if it optimally uses the cores, it has to be well programmed...

Also, not everything can be solved in parallel, so does this multi-core thing means we are close (yes, they are still increasing clockspeeds, but not as much as it used to be, the focus now appears on multicore) to a limit for problems that can only be solved in serial?


Jörg

[Mehen]

From Tom's

"Conclusion

First of all let me sort the facts: As soon as Core 2 Duo hits the market, it will...

* be the fastest x86 processor (both single and dual core models)
* make the Pentium D and all predecessors look like antiques
* be the clear choice for performance users despite its rather expensive price
* outperform the complete Athlon 64 family (X2 and FX) in all areas, including gaming, where AMD has traditionally been very strong
* consume less energy than other standard desktop processors
* transform the whole Intel platform from an energy-hungry beast to a reasonable solution that is competitive in terms of performance per Watt

We expect Core 2 Duo to roll out slower than Intel proclaims, so don't expect to get every model in every shop right from the start. All eyes are staring at Intel, especially after it announced decreasing revenues and layoffs. For these reasons we believe that it will do everything that is necessary to ensure a stable processor supply.


Is the game over for AMD then? By no means. The performance race might be over for the time being, but it still can look at more attractive platforms for the enthusiast customer base (for ATI Crossfire and Nvidia SLI). In addition, AMD spokesperson Damon Muzny told us earlier this week that AMD intends to adjust its processor prices to keep delivering the best price/performance for the customer. Although we do not have any numbers yet, you can be pretty sure that the price cuts will be substantial, so check processor prices before you buy! And that is not all: There are AMD's low-power Athlon 64 X2 processors, rated at 65 W and 35 W - these will help the firm to compete in the digital home space. As Intel moves towards its first quad core processor in the winter and AMD will rollout first 65 nm processors, we will certainly see the battle heating up even more."

My only question is: 6600 or 6700? I guess I will have to wait until I see more overclocking benchmarks on the two, I wouldn't be surprised if they capped out around the same speeds. If the 6600 can keep up it would be a steal.

[borat]

according to anandtech the 6600 and 6700 o/c to around the same level at 4Ghz on air. 6600 looks like a gem from the few that have been tested so far. If the multiplier is locked and stock speed is 2.4, then what speed will the RAM have to run to support 4Ghz?
Not really up to speed with intel o/c, is it possible to run the memory slower than the FSB like on athlons?

[Jammrock]

From the pricing sheets I've seen the 6600 is the best bang for the buck if you are a gamer or do AV editing (i.e. processor hungry tasks).

[Mehen]

Yes you can change the FSB:RAM ratio, it is what I had to do because I have cheapo RAM. I have my FSB:RAM at 5:4. You can go down to at least 5:3 I believe, it shouldn't pose a problem.