Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6700 If you thought dual cores were over the top, get ready. Intel presents the Core 2 Extreme QX6700, a single CPU with four distinct processing cores. At $999, the first quad-core CPU will remain an enthusiast part for a while, but as a glimpse of the future, it's clear that clock speed is out and core counts are in.
Review date: 11/01/2006Release date: 11/14/2006Specs:
Processor, Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6700
CNET editor's take
8.7 Excellent
$393-$465
Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Intel's Core 2 Duo line marks the end of AMD's run of dominance through the dual-core desktop-processor landscape. Not only are Intel's new chips fast, efficient, and well designed, but they're also aggressively priced and sure to send ripples though the desktop PC industry. If you are buying or building a new computer, we recommend that a Core 2 Duo chip be at its center.
Review date: 07/13/2006Release date: 07/13/2006Specs:
Processor, Intel Core 2 Duo E6300
CNET editor's take
$110-$204
Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Intel's Core 2 Duo line marks the end of AMD's run of dominance through the dual-core desktop-processor landscape. Not only are Intel's new chips fast, efficient, and well designed, but they're also aggressively priced and sure to send ripples though the desktop PC industry. If you are buying or building a new computer, we recommend that a Core 2 Duo chip be at its center.
Review date: 07/13/2006Release date: 07/13/2006Specs:
Processor, Intel Core 2 Duo E6400
CNET editor's take
$145-$200
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Intel's Core 2 Duo line marks the end of AMD's run of dominance through the dual-core desktop-processor landscape. Not only are Intel's new chips fast, efficient, and well designed, but they're also aggressively priced and sure to send ripples though the desktop PC industry. If you are buying or building a new computer, we recommend that a Core 2 Duo chip be at its center.
Review date: 07/13/2006Release date: 07/13/2006Specs:
Processor, Intel Core 2 Duo E6600
CNET editor's take
$197-$239
Intel Core 2 Duo E6700 Intel's Core 2 Duo E6700 offers the best price-to-performance ratio we've seen in a desktop chip. For half the cost of AMD's top-of-the-line chip, you get identical if not superior performance and better power efficiency. AMD surprised us last year with its completely dominant dual-core chips, but Intel regains the crown with Core 2 Duo.
Review date: 07/13/2006Release date: 07/13/2006Specs:
Processor, Intel Core 2 Duo E6700
CNET editor's take
9.0 Spectacular
$348-$449
Intel Core 2 Extreme X6800 AMD's Athlon 64 FX line has worn the desktop CPU performance crown for over a year. The king is dead. Intel's new flagship Core 2 Extreme X6800 not only hands AMD a defeat on all of our benchmarks, but it's also a more efficient, better designed chip overall.
Review date: 07/13/2006Release date: 07/13/2006Specs:
Processor, Intel Core 2 Extreme X6800
CNET editor's take
8.7 Excellent
$429-$1128
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