Maximum PC core 2 quad RSS Feed

Intel's Q8300 May be the Last New Core 2 Quad CPU

Paul Lilly — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 08:17:50 -0600

Intel has released a new mainstream Core 2 Quad processor in the Q8300. The new 45nm chip comes clocked at 2.5GHz on a 1333MHz front side bus just like the Q9300, but with 4MB of L2 cache instead of 6MB. Look for the chip to sell for around $224.

The new CPU will also likely mark the end of the line for Intel's Core 2 Quad lineup, at least for the immediate future. Of course, Intel will continue to make quad-core processors, just not for the suddenly defunct Core 2 platform. Instead, the company appears to moving all of its efforts to Core i7 and, as Stanley Huang, director of marketing and technical services of Intel's Asia Pacific division said in a statement, boosting Centrino 2's penetration rate.

Huang also reaffirmed that the company's Calpella platform is on schedule despite rumors that it might be delayed for a 2010 launch.

Intel Plans to Axe Core 2 Quad Q6600 in First Quarter of 2009

Paul Lilly — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 10:29:08 -0600

For a long while, Intel's Core 2 Quad Q6600 processor remained a popular choice in the DIY community. The 2.4GHz chip, helped in part by an aggressive round of price-cuts, brought quad-core computing to the mainstream. It became even more popular when Intel released the G0 stepping, which ushered in lower temps and higher overclocking potential.

But there's no looking in the rear-view mirror for Intel, and with the chip maker's Core i7 stepping into the limelight, it's come time to retire the aging 65nm Q6600. Citing un-named sources at PC vendors, DigiTimes reports that Intel plans to phase out the vintage quad-core chip in Q1 2009 by issuing a product discontinuance notice.

The Q6600's impending end-of-life could come as good news to those in need of a quad-core upgrade while remaining fiscally responsible. In all likelihood, vendors will again cut the Q6600's price as they look to clear out inventory before the end of the year. Stocking stuffer, perhaps?

AMD’s new X4 quad core

Gordon Mah Ung — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 23:02:28 -0500

Does the $235 "fixed" B3 Phenom have enough horsepower to beat Intel's Core 2 Quad Q9300?

In the Lab: Gordon Mah Ung Mulls Overclocking

Gordon Mah Ung — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 20:00:48 -0600

Cheapskates, rejoice! Bargain chips yield biggest overclock.

Quad-core, you're So HOT!

Paul Lilly — Thu, 31 May 2007 17:05:49 -0500

Quad-core could go mainstream this summer, and after getting cozy with a QX6800, Paul Lilly wonders if case design is up to the task.

Intel's Barcelona Killer?

Gordon Mah Ung — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 14:31:34 -0500

Gordon Mah Ung goes hands-on with Intel's next-gen CPU, codenamed Penryn. Will this CPU continue Intel's domination of AMD?