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Intel QX6700 Quad-Core CPU |
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Summary and Conclusions
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS:
Intel's quad-core QX6700 CPU offers stunning computing power. At the same clockspeed it runs anywhere between 25% and 70% faster than the already lightning-fast dual-core E6700. The sheer force of a QX6700 would have been unthinkable a year ago. However, only the right applications and working environment allow the beast to flex its muscles. The performance advantage of a quad-core CPU depends on the extent of multithreading and multitasking in its working environment. This is currently applicable to video and image encoding and editing applications. In the majority of current applications, including games, a quad-core CPU offers only little or no advantage in comparison with a dual-core CPU running at the same frequency.
Compared with less than a year ago, Intel offers now an amazingly powerful and competitive product range for desktop users based on their new “Core” micro-architecture. The question is: who will be, or should be, attracted by the new quad-core offerings? Based on our results we see it this way: Gaming fans can safely stay with their dual-core “Core 2 Duo” CPUs for the time being. Although some multithreaded games have been announced, it will probably take some time until they become mainstream. Until then an E6600 or E6700 will provide the same gaming performance than the much more expensive QX6700 or Q6600. The same goes for the many PC users who are running relatively undemanding desktop tasks - unless of course such a user is specifically looking for a long-term, future-proved solution. Right now a QX6700 is the right choice for professional or semi-professional users and enthusiasts. In particular for 3D rendering, image editing, video and audio encoding, and any kind of heavy multitasking, the QX6700 offers a clear advantage over a dual core solution.
Some excellent news is that Intel’s upcoming quad-core CPUs seems to offer a similar substantial overclocking potential as their dual-core siblings. With high-end aircooling and a relatively moderate increase in voltage we could run our QX6700 stable at 100% load for hours at 3.70 GHz. This is more than 1 GHz above default and there is probably a good deal more headroom with water or phase-change cooling. As to be expected, the QX6700 runs quite a lot hotter under load than an E6700. But heat is the least problem an “enthusiast” fears, with many powerful cooling solutions already available for the LGA775 socket.
Apparently Intel will charge 1000 US$ to their distributors for the QX6700. That is the price position currently occupied by the X6800. If indeed the QX6700 will retail in the same price bracket as the X6800 since its launch in July 2006, it would certainly be the better buy. And if the upcoming Q6660 is not priced too far away from the current E6700 it might become a very tempting choice, even for consumers who normally do not spend that much for their PC gear.
Agg note: Special thanks to Chainbolt for his efforts (including pulling an all-nighter) to get this review sorted by the very short deadline!
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