Intel Core 2 eXtreme QX9650 Processor

In this review we'll examine the latest signficant addition to Intel's processor series - the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 processor based on the Yorkfield core. The core belongs to a new family designed for mobile, desktop and server processors generally codenamed Penryn. Frankly speaking, the majority of users have been most anticipating the updated dual-core solutions on Wolfdale core, since quad-core products interest a considerably smaller percent of potential buyers. But this time Intel did it "AMD style", having began to promote a new processor series with a product for enthusiasts and servers. Thus after Core 2 Extreme QX9650 we should see a triplet of Yorkfield-based Core 2 Quad CPUs:

And a quadruplet of Wolfdale-based Core 2 Duo processors:

But this is to happen in the year 2008. And now we'll examine the only processor in the new series already available... Available to our test lab, at least. :)

Intel Core architecture: a mild upgrade

The transition to a new process technology always has a beneficial effect on developers' imagination, because it means more transistor space, natural reduction of power consumption and heat without any original ideas involved. So, it's no wonder that they've decided to modify the good old Conroe as well - in a number of rather ordinary ways at that.

Newer cache

The maximum volume of shared L2 cache was increased to 6 MB (vs. the older 4 MB). The amount of associativity channels was correspondingly increased from 16 to 24 (6/4=24/16). Also, the cache became "smarter" thanks to the new Enhanced Cache Line Split Load technology that tries to speed up reading of data units distributed among different cache strings. Theoretically, it can speed up applications that actively scan large memory volumes, codecs and archivers included.

Newer instruction set

Intel has long been the trendsetter of x86 instruction set expansions that don't require crucial revamps - MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3... There was a time, when AMD tried to compete by creating the 3DNow! set. But that was also the last of its efforts, and now AMD prefers just to license instruction sets from Intel.

The new expansion is named SSE4.1 meaning some incompleteness and implying at least the announcement of SSE4.2. SSE4.1 features 47 new instructions aimed at speeding up streaming data processing, video encoding, and scientific calculations. We won't be dwelling on it more in this review, since SSE4.1 deserves a whole dedicated article. We'll just say that, of popular software, at least DivX v6.7 already supports SSE4.1.

Newer functional units

The most changes are related to fast division and shuffle units - introducing the newer Fast Radix-16 Divider and Super Shuffle Engine. Conroe's Radix-16 divider processed 2 bits per pass, while the newer Fast Radix-16 divider processes 4 bits per pass. In its turn, the newer Super Shuffle Engine now provides for any bit shuffle operations in a 128-bit register per 1 clock. According to Intel, this should considerably speed up both the newer SSE4.1 and "older" SSE3 instructions. Besides, we are promised routine virtualization improvements.

In general, this is suspiciously similar to the Prescott, don't you think? :) But we still hope the resemblance is purely formal.

Hardware and software

Testbed configurations

Hardware:

• DDR2 memory: Corsair CM2X1024-6400C4, 2 x 1 GB, DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12.
• DDR memory: Corsair CMX1024-3500LLPRO, 2 x 1 GB, DDR-400, 2-3-2-6.
• LGA775 board: ASUS P5B Deluxe, Intel P965.
• Socket AM2 board: ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe, NVIDIA nForce 590 SLI.
• Socket 939 board: ECS RD480-A939, ATI CrossFire Xpress 1600.
• HDD: Samsung HD401LJ (SATA-II).
• Socket AM2 cooler: boxed.
• Core 2 Duo / Celeron cooler: boxed.
• Core 2 Quad / Extreme cooler: Zalman CNPS9700 NT.
• PSU: Cooler Master RS-A00-EMBA.
• Graphics card: Reference NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTX, 768MB DDR3, PCI-E x16.

Processors tested:

* - "2 x ..." means per core;
** - for AMD processors this is memory controller bus clock rate;
*** - measured differently for Intel and AMD processors; impossible to compare directly.

Software

1. Windows XP Professional x64 edition SP1
2. 3ds max 9 x64 edition
3. Maya 8.5 x64 edition
4. Lightwave 3D 9 x64 edition
5. MATLAB R2006a (7.2.0.32) x64 edition
6. Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0
7. SolidWorks 2005
8. Photoshop CS2 (9.0)
9. Visual Studio 2005 Professional
10. Apache HTTP Server 2.2.4
11. CPU RightMark 2005 Lite (1.3) x64 edition
12. WinRAR 3.62
13. 7-Zip 4.42 x64 edition
14. FineReader 8.0 Professional
15. LAME 3.97
16. Monkey Audio 4.01
17. OGG Encoder 2.83
18. Windows Media Encoder 9 x64 edition
19. Canopus ProCoder 2.01.30
20. DivX 6.4
21. Windows Media Video VCM 9
22. x264 v.604
23. XviD 1.1.2
24. F.E.A.R. 1.08
25. Half-Life 2 1.0
26. Quake 4 1.3
27. Call of Duty 2 1.2
28. Serious Sam 2 2.07
29. Supreme Commander 1.0.3220