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Multi-core microprocessors are the latest rage these days since it’s been technically proven that two heads are better than one. While many have gone Duo, there may be some still holding on to their Pentium 4 PCs and wondering if they should take the plunge. Well, the wait may have been worth it!
Intel has a new factor in the equation, taking its Core2 technology one step further it is unveiling a Core2 Quad Processor, with four complete execution cores within a single processor.
Compared to the current crop of Core2 Duo processors, the new Core2 Quad processors promise 79% better graphics rendering, 54% better HD video creation and 53% better future 3D gaming.
What does this mean to the everyday user?
Just one word – speed.
Numbers do not justify the ease at which the new processor handles applications – it’s like taking a swim in water after wading through tar.
The new processors can handle more applications all at once without breaking sweat. In a hands-on session, the new processor breezed through the task of running four processor intensive applications at once – playing a movie, a game, a spreadsheet and word processor. Load times were also considerably shorter.
There is no doubt, the Core2 Quads are faster and more efficient than their Core2 Duo siblings.
Some of the most processor intensive programmes in the market are games, and the Core2 Quad promises improved gaming performance. By late 2007, store shelves will be filled with more games designed by companies like Ubisoft, THQ and Remedy entertainment to highly threaded (i.e. specifically designed to scale with the multicore processors), so the Core2 Quad is a very forward looking processor in this sense.
In an office setting, this ability to handle even more tasks at once means computers can run maintenance scripts, scan for viruses, encode files all at the same time while the user is surfing the internet or answering emails.
Also, with the rather resource hungry Window Vista replacing Windows XP, the Core2 Quads seem like a sensible upgrade even from the existing batch of Core Duo and Core2 Duos.
The best piece of news however, is that these new Core2 Quads aren’t just for game enthusiasts but the mainstream user. This means Intel is expected to price its new processors at mainstream prices.
Another piece of good news is that these new chips are supported by the Intel P965 and 975 express chipsets, so those with relatively up-to-date motherboards can just swap their old processors for these new ones.
While you may want to run out and get yourself a Core2 Quad right now, I’d recommend a little patience. Wait just a while more for further multithread applications to come along to justify the investment.
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