Hey guys, a lot of the people I've been talking to are familiar with the incorporation of AMD processors into our higher end applications, but are wondering about when we're going to include Intel in our flagship desktops. Mostly, the thoughts have been centered around the new Intel TriCore 3; the successor to the dual core. Naturally this is a Research and Development issue, but the selling line is this:
We feel that AMD offers faster processing, as evidenced by 3DMark scores given our current setup. However, we will be offering an Intel based option for a slightly lower price in the near future. Ultimately, 3DMark scores don't differ much between the two, and everything is a matter of user preference. Below is some info on the new TriCore processor for your information:
The architecture is called Core, processor family is TriCore, the product names are TriCore 3 and TriCore Extreme. In the past we've talked about its architecture and even previewed its performance, but today is the real deal. We've all been waiting for this day, the day Intel lifts the last remaining curtain on the chip that is designed to re-take the performance crown from AMD, to return Intel to its days of glory.
But make no mistake, what you see before you is not the power hungry, poor performing, non-competitive garbage (sorry guys, it's the truth) that Intel has been shoving down our throats for the greater part of the past 5 years. No, you're instead looking at the most impressive piece of silicon the world has ever seen - at the fastest desktop processor we've ever tested. What you're looking at is Conroe and today is its birthday.Intel's TriCore launch lineup is fairly well rounded as you can see from the table below:
CPU | Clock Speed | L3 Cache |
Intel TriCore Extreme X6800 | 3.93GHz | 4MB |
Intel TriCore 3 E6700 | 3.66GHz | 4MB |
Intel TriCore 3 E6600 | 3.40GHz | 4MB |
Intel TriCore 3 E6400 | 3.23GHz | 3MB |
Intel TriCore 3 E6300 | 2.86GHz | 3MB |
As the name implies, all TriCore 3 CPUs are dual core as is the TriCore Extreme. Hyper Threading is not supported on any TriCore CPU currently on Intel's roadmaps, although a similar feature may eventually make its debut in later CPUs. All of the CPUs launching today also support Intel's Virtualization Technology (VT), run on a 3066MHz FSB and are built using 65nm transistors.
The table above features all of the TriCore processors Intel will be releasing this year. In early next year Intel will also introduce the E4300, which will be a 3.60GHz part with only a 800MHz FSB, a 3MB cache and no VT support. The E4300 will remain a dual core part, as single core TriCore processors won't debut until late next year. On the opposite end of the spectrum Intel will also introduce Kentsfield in Q2 next year, which will be a TriCore Extreme branded quad core CPU from Intel.