Intel to Unveil Desktop Quad-Core Chips with Lowered Power Consumption

[Kelainefes]

In a bid to offer higher performance to low-power small form-factor desktop computers, Intel Corp. plans to release low-power quad-core desktop processors for desktops in the first quarter of next year. The new chips will be strong competitors for energy-efficient quad-core chips by Advanced Micro Devices, which have been available for about half a year now.

The new Intel Core 2 Quad processors with reduced power consumption will have thermal design power (TDP) of 65W, whereas previously such chips had 95W or even higher thermal envelope, which kept them away from quiet small form-factor systems. The low-power quad-core central processing units from Intel will be launched on the 18th of January, 2009, according to documents seen by X-bit labs.

The Core 2 Quad chips – models Q9550s, Q9400s and Q8200s – with reduced TDP will operate in 2.33GHz – 2.83GHz clock-speed range and will feature different cache sizes. Still, they will all use 1333MHz processor system bus (PSB) and will be compatible with existing LGA775 mainboards. The new chips will be made using 45nm process technology.

The novelties will not be inexpensive: computer makers will have to pay 16%, 20% or even 33% price premium for energy efficiency of the new chips compared to quad-core processors with similar specs, but with higher power consumption.

Three new low-power quad-core processors from Intel will compete against AMD’s energy efficient Phenom X4 chips for the place in low-power systems. But the competition will not be direct: AMD Phenom X4 models 9350e (2.0GHz) and 9150e (1.80GHz) are sold for $174 and $175, respectively, and offer much lower performance compared to Intel Core 2 Quad at 2.33GHz and beyond. Even the Phenom X4 9450e (2.10GHz) will hardly match even the lowest-performing Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200s.

Intel did not comment on the news-story.

Source:X-bit labs - Intel to Unveil Desktop Quad-Core Chips with Lowered Power Consumption.

[Kelainefes]

Maybe those new Q9550s will overclock a lot? I wonder if it is a new revision or if they will be just selected chips.

[affiliate13]

From the description it sounds like binning, but they couldnt get stable amounts into retails channel that way could they?

I would like it to be just a refinement in the manufacturing process, then perhaps that would leave the door open to larger volumes and hopefully better prices.

If they did overclock better then we maybe we could see the kinds of clocks we have been seeing with duals on quads.

[Kelainefes]

Well, maybe they won't get to 4 GHz as easy as a dual, but it's just great that the power of a quad core is now available at a very reasonable TDP, even if we don't take overclocking into account, and if we do, maybe liquid cooling will not be required to get decently high clocks.

[kitfit1]

I would'nt be surprised if these had the same sort of characteristics as the very low VID E8xxx's. Which means they will clock like crazy, but will get very very hot with only a medium bump in Vcore. That will mean to get the best out of them you would need good W/C or phase. Sounds good to me though, that is except the price for the Extreme X9100

[Kelainefes]

Isn't the Extreme 9100 laptop only?

[kitfit1]

Originally Posted by Kelainefes

Isn't the Extreme 9100 laptop only?

Xbit has posted up a correction to the news i was quoting from, so you are right it is for laptops.

[Kelainefes]

Dang i wish it were true, a dual core with unlocked multiplier!!!!!!!

[kitfit1]

Originally Posted by Kelainefes

Dang i wish it were true, a dual core with unlocked multiplier!!!!!!!

Same here. It's only a matter of time before Intel do the obvious and release an unlocked multi dual core. My guess is, just before "end of life", that way they can milk it for every cent they can. What annoys me is that they could do it any time they want, unlocked quads have been around for ages. By the looks of it unlocked laptops now as well.