Prepare for Quad Core!
The Next Big Battle of the Processors
Change is the only constant in the computing industry. For years we’ve become used to the Intel Pentium 4 and AMD 64 processors in their single-core incarnations. Now AMD and Intel are flooding the market with dual-core CPUs, while the hardware manufacturers match the new technology with specialized motherboards and other dual-core ready components. Before long we’ll only refer to legacy computers as Pentium 4 machines.
Even now, the manufacturers’ new model CPUs are called Intel Core2 Duo, with no reference to Pentium. But just as we’re adjusting to the power of dual-core performance – we’re just around the corner from quad-chip immersion in the marketplace.
Behold the Next Performance Generation
Even though dual-core processors went mainstream in 2005, Intel and AMD are pumping the volume on their next generation quad-core processors. The first quad chip, the Intel Core2 Extreme quad-core processor is slated to emerge in November, with the manufacturer claiming it will pack a 70-percent performance improvement over its dual chip CPUs.
Intel CEO Paul Otellini says it best:“The industry is going through the most profound shift in decades, moving to an era where performance and energy efficiency are critical in all market segments and all aspects of computing,” Otellinisaid. “The solution begins with the transistor and extends to the chip and platform levels.”
And that’s just the beginning, according to Otellini, who says Intel chips will deliver a 300 percent performance improvement performance per watt over the next four years. Meantime, AMD isn’t fading away while Intel cranks out its new quad cores.
AMD Chief Executive Hiector Ruiz says:“We believe the purpose of our company is to reinvent the dynamics of the microprocessor industry.†Meanwhile, Dirk Meyer, AMD’s processor division president writes, “We think at AMD the move toward platforms is a good trend.†Meyer says, “it signals a move away from speeds and feeds and a random grab bag of features.”
According to Meyer, AMD will focus on the end value for the end-user community. That’s you and me!
Sources: Intel Press Release and 64bit World.
What a great blog! NewEgg has nothing like it. In fact, their site looks archaic in comparison. Quad core? Wow! I’m just now getting ready to buy Core2 Duo. Am I gonna be left out on the streets? Last time I was there was back in college when I violated some fraternity rules. Having never joined a fraternity, I found that kind of strange, but they didn’t have Core2 Duo processors back then (it was in the late 1960s), and I have no idea how this is relevant, except to say — I WANT A QUAD CORE AND CAN I GET IT HERE.
Thanks!
Elliott
Thanks for the comment Elliot. Glad to hear you like our new Blog! While the Quad-Core processors are not ready just yet, we’ll keep everyone appraised of their launch date.
You won’t be the only one watching, I’m dying for one myself!
Ed.
This is a great Idea.
All this computing power and not a single motherboard that is able to use all of its abilites.
I have 2 brand new still in the box D950’s sitting here on the shelf and no motherboards that can handle them in the configurations they were bought for.
Intel for the life of me I can not understand has made it to where if you want these high end Processor’s you will need to not only buy a new Proprietory Motherboard to support them but also all new very expensive ATI CrossFire video cards to get the graphics you want or was getting from NVIDIA cards. Unless you buy an AMD Processor and still want the NVIDIA cards you have to work. Why this does not make any sense to me is because ATI CrossFire is owned by AMD. Something smells wrong in Denmark, and it aint the sausage. None of the D9XX, CORE 2DUAL, or EE Intel Processors do not play well, or work at all, with NVIDIA Chipsets, all of the motherboard and processor reviews and forums state this so do not just take my word for it. And the cheaper chipsets such as VIA and SIS are not much better. Gone is the days of a truly stable SLI supported motherboard used in combination with one of the new Intel processors unless you convert to an AMD Processor and a socket 939 motherboard, or have enough bank to also convert to an ATI CROSSFIRE graphics solution on a new Intel D975XBK motherboard or ASUS P5B series for best quality and performance at this time with the new High end D9XX, D9XXEE, Core 2 Dual, or Core 2 Dual EE Processor.
Or you can wait 5 months and see what the Motherboard manufacturers will come up with in December when AMD comes out with their new true 4X4 Quad core 65NM Processor. Let the Battle Begin!!!!
I would like to upgrade my P4 for a dual or quad, but I cannont find anyone, including you (Tiger)and Dell, who can tell me if I can pull my p4 and repalce it with a 2x or 4x Processor? I don’t need a new PC or the cost related to that.. I just want to up grade my processor. Can someone tell me the answer? Yes or No? and if Yes, what else do I need to replace..Mobo?, Power Supply?
Hello Tiger Direct,
Could you please help me know whether the $4.95 1 GB flashcard special can be used in combination with the CA Internet Security Suite special, in which the entire amount of the purchase comes back in a rebate?
If so, I plan on purchasing the items.
Thanks for your consideration.
Ottumwa, Iowa
I was just about to buy a dual core processor also, but I think I still will for the price I don’t mind upgrading now and in 6 months to a year. I love the cpu upgrades and this blog is pretty phat too!
Answering Reply 5 from Marty. In short you will need a different motherboard - one that supports Conroe (Core 2 Duo).
I would recommend this http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?SRCCODE=WEBBLOG&CMP=OTC-BLOG&EdpNo=2354292&CatId=0
It has some pretty decent features…
Read more about Core 2 Duo and system requirements here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Core_2#System_requirements
Oct 23rd, 2006 at 11:44 am
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