Intel Kentsfield quad-core only better for some things

Stan Beer
Thursday, 02 November 2006 17:24

Your IT - Home IT

The new Intel two-chip quad-core Core 2 Extreme QX6700 processor formerly known by the code name Kentsfield is being benchmarked from here to Timbuktu and the results are showing pretty much the same thing. The new quad-core is definitely faster than Intel's former front-runner, the dual-core Core 2 Duo E6700, for some things but only marginally so for most applications.

The problem is that most applications such as games in the high-end performance intensive graphics area, where these chips are aimed, have not been developed to take advantage of the multi-threaded capabilities of the four-core processors.

However, this will change and reports say that in the area of video development and processing the new quad-core kills its dual-core predecessor, with performance improvements in the region of 80%.

Intel has absolutely creamed AMD in the high performance stakes with its new offerings in recent months. However, AMD is set for a fightback, with the release of its own two chip four core model, the 4x4 processor before the end of the year, ahead of its single die four cour processor to be released in mid-2007.

AMD has been critical of Intel's four core hardware solution, saying that it is not a true four core processor but simply two dual-cores sticky taped together. However, it is difficult to persuade users to turn their noses up at an 80% performance improvement over a technical point of contention.