Intel's 65W Quad-Cores

Core 2 isn't going to be phased out soon, we're unlikely to see many more releases under that moniker. Last month, specifications were leaked for a potential Core 2 Duo E8700, a 3.5GHz offering, which we could probably expect to be the final C2D Dual-Core chip, although nothing's ever really set in stone. On the Quad-Core side of things, Intel helped pad their line-up with the help of three new models, launched late last month.

Each of these new models belong to the "S" series, although I don't believe that the letter represents an actual word. In addition, each of the new chips are absolutely identical to their non-"S" counterparts, aside from the lower TDP. At the top-end, the Q9550s is Intel's only 65W offering that includes 12MB of L2 Cache. This chip, like the original, settles in nicely at 2.83GHz.

That's not the CPU we're investigating today, however. Rather, we have both the Q9400S and Q8200S, two different processors that cater to two different crowds. The mid-range Q9400S runs at 2.66GHz and includes 6MB of L2 Cache, while the Q8200S (and non-"S") currently remains as Intel's lowest-end desktop Quad-Core offering, at 2.33GHz with 4MB of L2 Cache. All three of the new models continue to run with a 1333MHz front-side bus.

Intel's 65W Quad-Cores - A Closer Look

So, what's the reason for a launch of 65W Quad-Core parts at this point in time? It's difficult to assume, but it could be that since the Core i7 launch, the company hasn't released much in the way of processors, so the timing might have seemed right. To add to it, we can no longer go a single day without hearing about the effects of global warming and the shape of the environment, so the "S"-line might intrigue crowds who are passionate about those issues.

There is one caveat, though - the price. in our news a few weeks ago, these models are going to see limited adoption solely because of their premium pricing, and even Intel themselves acknowledge this. People that purchase these are those who are either building SFF (Small Form-Factor) PCs and want a fast CPU with great thermals, or those who are simply looking for the fastest CPU with the lowest power consumption possible.

Intel notes that all three of these models have been available as off-roadmap chips to OEMs for some time, and that won't change. It's only now that they've begun offering them to regular consumers, and while it's still catering to a very specific audience, it's a nice move.

Quad-Core CPU Name	Cores	Clock	Cache	QPI/FSB	TDP	1Ku Price
Intel Core i7-965 Extreme Edition	4	3.20GHz	8MB	3200MHz	150W	$999
Intel Core i7-940	4	2.93GHz	8MB	2400MHz	130W	$562
Intel Core i7-920	4	2.66GHz	8MB	2400MHz	130W	$284
Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9775	4	3.20GHz	2 x 6MB	1600MHz	150W	$1,499
Intel Core 2 Extreme Q9650	4	3.00GHz	2 x 6MB	1333MHz	130W	$316
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550S	4	2.83GHz	2 x 6MB	1333MHz	65W	$369
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550	4	2.83GHz	2 x 6MB	1333MHz	95W	$266
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400S	4	2.66GHz	2 x 3MB	1333MHz	65W	$320
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400	4	2.66GHz	2 x 3MB	1333MHz	95W	$213
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300	4	2.50GHz	2 x 3MB	1333MHz	95W	$266
Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200S	4	2.33GHz	2 x 2MB	1333MHz	65W	$245
Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200	4	2.33GHz	2 x 2MB	1333MHz	95W	$163

As seen in the table above, the pricing premiums are rather stark. Where the Q8200 is concerned, we can see a 50% ($82) increase, while at the top-end, the Q9550 sees a 38.7% ($103) bump. There's an obvious price to be paid for fine-tuned products, but it's still too bad to see increases like these. If it was a more modest bump, we'd likely see far greater adoption.

One thing that should be stressed though, is that while the new models will naturally draw less power over time, when compared to non models, thermals will alo see an improvement. With less voltage being required to run to the CPU, the temperatures will drop, which is one of the reasons the "S"-line is perfectly-suited for SFF PC builders.