Official Conroe information thread

[LongView]

Well I decided to purchase the NZXT Lexa case since my plan is to complete the new build using the new components and then put it through its paces before dismantling the old machine and re-using some of its components. This will involve running MemTest to check for memory stability and then use the Sandra burn-in wizard to check for system stability.

Here is my list of the new components:

ASUS P5B Deluxe Wi-Fi
Intel Core Duo 2 E6600 (2.4ghz)
VapoChill Micro Ultra Low Noise
Corsair Matched Pair 1024-6400C4 (TWIN2X2048-6400C4)
NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT 256MB DDR3 XXX Edition

Despite having built many systems I think I'll learn a lot on this one based on all the reading I've been doing. I'm not planning on overclocking (not yet at least) so with that in mind I would really appreciate any tips in terms of configuring the BIOS to correctly utilise the memory. I'm also going to look on the Corsair forum for any advice they have (I know that using a vDIMM voltage of 2.1v is recommended by them).

Will let you know how I get on.

[Intel_User]

It's time to reveal Intel's new plans for 2007.

Intel is set to introduce new CPUs in 2007 based on Core microarchitecture. I'll categorize them and then explain seperately in a different paragraph.

New code names
Quad core:
-Yorkfield
Dual core:
-Wolfdale
-Wolfdale M
Single core:
-Wolfdale L

Known code names:
-Higher speed Conroe
-Higher FSB Conroe
-Value Conroe, the Conroe-L


Products with known code names:

Sometime this year, Intel is set to release higher speed mainstream Conroe, named E6800. It's nearly* identical to X6800, but on a mainstream pricing.
(*X6800 may be ever slightly faster than E6800 due to more aggressive prefetchers)

E6800: 2.93GHz/1066MHz FSB/4MB shared L2/65W TDP

Unlike X6800, it has the TDP value of 65W. I am not exactly sure about the launching date, but since price cuts are coming in January/Q2(not sure which date exactly), we can also expect E6800 by that time.

E6650/E6750/E6850: These are almost identical to similarly named brothers, the "50" at the end indicates 1333MHz FSB. It is also supposed to have TDP of 65W. Its expected to arrive in Q3 2007 with Intel's "Bearlake" chipsets.

E1020/E1040/E1060: These are the Conroe-Ls. Single core, 1MB L2, 800MHz FSB and with 35W TDP. It's set to arrive at Q3 2007, named under Celeron 400 brand.


Products with new code names:

At Q4 of this year Intel's 45nm products are set to arrive. The core is based(like how Conroe is based on Merom) on "Penryn", which is a code name for the mobile chip. It's supposed to have 50 new instructions called SSE4. It may also have small architectural improvements in addition to SSE4.


Yorkfield is Intel's high end quad core product.
-1333MHz FSB
-Quad core
-12MB total L2(shared?? 6MB x 2?? Not sure at the moment)
-Over 3GHz for mainstream and 3.46-3.73GHz for extreme versions
-95W for mainstream

Wolfdale is Intel's dual core product, the direct successor to Conroe. There are couple of versions of Wolfdale.
-1333MHz FSB
-Dual core
-6MB shared L2
-Expected at 3.5-4.0GHz
-65W

Wolfdale-M is a lower cost version of Wolfdale
-1066MHz FSB
-Dual core
-3MB L2
-3.4-3.7GHz
-65W

Wolfdale-L is a successor to Conroe-L
-800MHz FSB
-Single core
-1MB L2
-2.4-3.0GHz
-35W

*Due to Intel wanting to keep its TDP at same value as its 65nm versions, do not expect the TDP to go down with the 45nm chips. The reason is to increase yield and decrease cost of manufacturing these chips. Of course, the clocks are supposed to be really high, most cores being at north of 3GHz*

[Intel_User]

On second thought, I think there's a possibility Intel might launch 45nm Penryn based cores at similar time frame as Conroe this year, maybe a little later.

[Sandog]

What a hectic schedule Intel has. Conroes appears to have come and gone in a years time. They seem to be going at a faster pace than consumer spending. Sometimes I think it is a vindictive race against AMD. We have AMD to thank for that from their classless shenanigans and haughtiness which fueled extreme fanboyism from a majority of young users. It is sad but I have heard on more than one occasion that Intel said it hates AMD. I wonder why. In engineering you don't hate you admire. Intel hates AMD because of the pie throwing AMD did when they were ahead IMO. Then again Intel has been underhanded in coercing market demand for their own chips for quite sometime and AMD does have a right to sue. These aren't the best of buds hehe.

Sandog

[Intel_User]

Although I don't agree 100% on everything you say, most of what you said seem to be true. I gotta say the overall CPU industry is accelerating too fast now. This can't be good for the waste generated, and its hard to keep up. At least keep the motherboard same across two generations. The speed-up obviously came from intense competition.

Quad cores. Hmm. Way too early. Most apps that are called multi-threaded are actually dual-threaded, and there aren't that many of that either in PC segments. Stop going 4/8 cores too fast, stop for a while then go increase single thread performance increase.

I'll get a Celeron 400 series with G965 motherboard then upgrade to E6800 :P.

[Intel_User]

AT CES it seems Intel is demoing their counter to the AMD 4x4 Quadfather system. As if there Core 2 Extreme Quad isn't already kicking 4x4's ***, they decide to go dual sockets with it.

I am not opposed to technology advances, but this is waaayy too ahead, waaaay too fast. We BARELY have programs in PC segment that takes advantage of dual cores, and there are dual socket quad cores coming out. I hope the AMD 4x4 system dies off(since it started first), along with this new Intel dual socket version.

In light of Energy Star and lead-free devices, do they ever think of creating waste with too-often updates??

[Sandog]

Originally Posted by Intel_User

AT CES it seems Intel is demoing their counter to the AMD 4x4 Quadfather system. As if there Core 2 Extreme Quad isn't already kicking 4x4's ***, they decide to go dual sockets with it.


In light of Energy Star and lead-free devices, do they ever think of creating waste with too-often updates??

I bet it does stomp AMD QFX and will read up on it later. Wonder if this setup will be for sale. QFX was an embarrassing joke IMO and I can't believe AMD wasted time on it and then offered it when it sucks so bad. I feel the same Intels 4x4 is just a response to AMD and not necessary. I know I sound like a fanboy all the time but think about what I said about Intel being vindictive and why. I remember half a dozen instances where AMD tried to embarrass Intel. They bashed giant Intel and put Intel on the course they are on which is geared toward domination again. I don't know how AMD will even keep up. .45nm is going to dominate in cost per chip and performance per watt compared to AMD which they will already be way in the hole by that time IMO. I bet IBM buys AMD in a couple of years.

Sandog

[fvbounty]

I hope AMD doesn't go by-by, if they do just imagine how the prices will go up, we need the competition to keep things in check....

[Sandog]

CES 2007: Eat this, Quad FX: Here's an 8-core desktop! | TG Daily

60% greater speed + 40% less power = 100% better performance per watt.

Sandog

[Intel_User]

CES 2007: Eat this, Quad FX: Here's an 8-core desktop! | TG Daily

60% greater speed + 40% less power = 100% better performance per watt.

100% better performance/watt, but with 100% more system power consumption than the current Core 2 Quad systems :P. This is really not the way it should go imo.

Core 2 Quad is already faster than Quad FX, and on the mainstream Q6600.


Hmm, I guess I would prefer a multiple core general purpose CPU to a dedicated units like a GPU. What's the advantage of computers over gaming consoles?? You can run variety of programs pretty fast, something not possible on a console.

Granted integrated graphics suck now at compatibility and performance, but wait until it further develops and I believe it can reach a time where it can be accepted by most people, and dedicated graphics will go the road of obsoletion.

[Eldonko]

RD600 preorder is up at ncix finally.. Link

[Intel_User]

-Penryn derivatives, Yorkfield and Wolfdale to arrive Q1 2008
-Yorkfield XE will arrive late Q4, most likely December, just like the first 65nm CPU, the Pentium Extreme Edition 3.73GHz
-Mainstream Yorkfield/Wolfdale is to arrive Q1 2008

Most importantly, Yorkfield/Wolfdale is supposed to feature Intel's Hyperthreading Technology. We'll see whether they all come true or not though.

[SpeedDMN]

Originally Posted by LongView

Well I decided to purchase the NZXT Lexa case since my plan is to complete the new build using the new components and then put it through its paces before dismantling the old machine and re-using some of its components. This will involve running MemTest to check for memory stability and then use the Sandra burn-in wizard to check for system stability.

Here is my list of the new components:

ASUS P5B Deluxe Wi-Fi
Intel Core Duo 2 E6600 (2.4ghz)
VapoChill Micro Ultra Low Noise
Corsair Matched Pair 1024-6400C4 (TWIN2X2048-6400C4)
NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT 256MB DDR3 XXX Edition

Despite having built many systems I think I'll learn a lot on this one based on all the reading I've been doing. I'm not planning on overclocking (not yet at least) so with that in mind I would really appreciate any tips in terms of configuring the BIOS to correctly utilise the memory. I'm also going to look on the Corsair forum for any advice they have (I know that using a vDIMM voltage of 2.1v is recommended by them).

Will let you know how I get on.

Don't be afraid to OC a bit. I am not the greatest of overclockers by any means and I was able to achieve an 800MHZ stable OC on that chip with ease.

As far as the comments about Intel **tch slapping AMD. Well..Whatever brings out the new tech the fastest is nice now but could have serious repercussions. From a corporate point of view why would you bring out your best if it isn't necessary? You wouldn't, you would produce the better chips in increment steps for the most profit. It would be terrible if AMD was taken over by Intel or was bankrupt. Intel would gain back the monopoly and feed us what they want when they want at any price they want. The extreme speed at which they are developing new tech seems to indicate they are trying to do just that with putting AMD out of business. Eventually all the prebuilts with go with Intel products once they gain an insurmountable lead, which they are approaching. I hope AMD has something up their sleeve to keep the competition going.

[LongView]

Originally Posted by SpeedDMN

Don't be afraid to OC a bit. I am not the greatest of overclockers by any means and I was able to achieve an 800MHZ stable OC on that chip with ease.

Thanks for the response. I would have liked the 2.66ghz processor but the jump in price was a little too steep so I went for the E6600 instead. If I can overclock to 2.7ghz (I think that is about a 34mhz increase in FSB) then I'll be really happy. Any tips greatly appreciated.

I have been posting about my experience during this build here:

http://www.abxzone.com/forums/intel-...p5b-e6600.html

The latest is that the system seems to be rebooting about every 3-4 days but nothing is reported in the event logs other than the fact the last restart was not expected (or words to that effect). I have now removed and re-inserted all 4 SATA cables and I'm now at 5 days and 5 hours so fingers crossed it might have been just a bad cable connection. I'm certainly not going to overclock until I'm certain the system is 100% stable at standard speeds.

[Sandog]

45nm=1/2000 human hair. 22nm coming.

Intel, IBM in advance to make chips smaller, more powerful - Jan. 27, 2007