Intel Core 2 Duo E8500, 3.16 GHz (BX80570E8500A)
- Clock Speed: 3.16 GHz
- Architecture: 45 nanometers
- Socket Type: Socket LGA775
- Bus Speed: 1333 MHz
- Processor Type: Core 2 Duo
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The New Intel Core 2 Duo Is an Excellent Choice For Your New Computer
Pros
Extremely fast and power efficient as compared with earlier processor
Cons
Relatively few minor ones
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
I highly recommend this for your next computer but be sure to get one that has the newer E0 core stepping, especially true if you're going to overclock it
I've decided to use this code name Wolfdale retail kit, 45 nm Intel Core 2 Duo 6 MB, 3.16 GHz E8500 for this fast computer which I built recently. This processor runs at 1333 MHz bus speed. Wolfdale processor core is 107sq.mm big and consists of 410 million transistors. These numbers suggests that Wolfdale has been changed significantly since the times of its predecessor - 65nm Conroe with only 291 million transistors. This processor also run relatively cool as compare with the predecessor and features. The on die cache memory has been increased from 4 MB to 6 MB and that probably account for the additional transistor count as compare to the predecessor. The chip supports C1E/Speedstep as well, which allows the chip to clock itself down to 2.0 GHz (6x multiplier) when processing levels are low. When processing loads kick up, the chip runs at 3.16 GHz (9.5x multiplier). This speedstep technology is quite similar to what you find on a laptop computer to really save power. Some new motherboards don’t support the .5x multipliers by default, which is the cause of most boards needing a BIOS update. If your motherboard doesn’t support half-step multipliers, the chip will boot up and run at 3.0 GHz (9.0x), which will allow you to get running and obtain a BIOS update. Apparently my motherboard's bios fully supports this processor and able to run at its full speed. On my set up, it also runs are extremely cool considering the skimpy included Intel heatsink and fan. The idle CPU temperature is just slightly above room temperature and at maximum 100% CPU utilization temperature did not exceed 45 °C at stock setting. The maximum safe CPU temperature is about 72.4 according to Intel. This is with the stock 15 mm thick heatsink which is about half the thickness of the one use on the 65nm Conroe core processor.
If you're into overclocking, be sure to buy the one with the new E0 instead of the earlier C0 core stepping which I have. It might be wise to ask the merchant before purchasing. This is much easier to do by going to a brick-and-mortar store instead of a store on the web. Since I'm not into overclocking it really doesn't matter to me, although I did try to overclock this chip slightly to 3.25 GHz. The result was a perfectly stable slightly faster computer. Even running at stock speed, I am fully satisfied with its performance. I think, when you're into overclocking be sure to buy a motherboard that supports it and better higher-speed memories such as PC2 8000 or better instead of which I have which is PC2 6400. Apparently my motherboard supports overclocking with one minor shortcome that the CPU core voltage is not adjustable. Since all Intel processor are multiplier locked, the only way to overclock them is to increase the front side bus which also increase the memory operating speed as well. I have the CPU with SLAPK code, pack date June 3, 2008 which is a core stepping C0 one unfortunately.
Other then these minor short comes, I am very satisfied with the performance of this CPU. I did a benchmark using Sandra to compared this system with my earlier hyper threading Pentium 4 Prescott 3.4 GHz system. This Core2 Duo 3.16 GHz system, according to the benchmark is approximately 2 2/3 times faster then my Pentium 3.4 GHz 4 system and yet uses less power overall. I notice, using this computer all of my applications opens much faster than before. The most remarkable thing about this computer is that the CPU is so efficient as compare with the predecessor. Take for instance, like comparing this system to a Pentium 4 one. Let's say hypothetically, a Pentium 4 Prescott chip at 3.4 GHz and this one having one of the core disable. This system with lower clock speed at 3.18 GHz would still be about 1.4 times faster than a Hyper Threading Pentium 4 Prescott chip at 3.4 GHz. And perhaps a system like this would only use about one third the power of a Pentium 4 system. My new Core2 Duo uses up to 65 Watts of power as compared what my old Prescott Pentium 4 at 3.4 GHz at 89 W.
I will update this review as I learn more in the future whether it be good or bad about this product.
Processor Specifications:
sSpec Number: SLAPK
CPU Speed: 3.16 GHz
PCG: 06
Bus Speed: 1333 MHz
Bus/Core Ratio: 9.5
L2 Cache Size: 6 MB
L2 Cache Speed: 3.16 GHz
Package Type: LGA775
Manufacturing Technology: 45 nm
Core Stepping: C0
CPUID String: 10676h
Thermal Design Power: 65W
Thermal Specification: 72.4°C
VID Voltage Range: 0.85V - 1.3625V
If you're into overclocking, be sure to buy the one with the new E0 instead of the earlier C0 core stepping which I have. It might be wise to ask the merchant before purchasing. This is much easier to do by going to a brick-and-mortar store instead of a store on the web. Since I'm not into overclocking it really doesn't matter to me, although I did try to overclock this chip slightly to 3.25 GHz. The result was a perfectly stable slightly faster computer. Even running at stock speed, I am fully satisfied with its performance. I think, when you're into overclocking be sure to buy a motherboard that supports it and better higher-speed memories such as PC2 8000 or better instead of which I have which is PC2 6400. Apparently my motherboard supports overclocking with one minor shortcome that the CPU core voltage is not adjustable. Since all Intel processor are multiplier locked, the only way to overclock them is to increase the front side bus which also increase the memory operating speed as well. I have the CPU with SLAPK code, pack date June 3, 2008 which is a core stepping C0 one unfortunately.
Other then these minor short comes, I am very satisfied with the performance of this CPU. I did a benchmark using Sandra to compared this system with my earlier hyper threading Pentium 4 Prescott 3.4 GHz system. This Core2 Duo 3.16 GHz system, according to the benchmark is approximately 2 2/3 times faster then my Pentium 3.4 GHz 4 system and yet uses less power overall. I notice, using this computer all of my applications opens much faster than before. The most remarkable thing about this computer is that the CPU is so efficient as compare with the predecessor. Take for instance, like comparing this system to a Pentium 4 one. Let's say hypothetically, a Pentium 4 Prescott chip at 3.4 GHz and this one having one of the core disable. This system with lower clock speed at 3.18 GHz would still be about 1.4 times faster than a Hyper Threading Pentium 4 Prescott chip at 3.4 GHz. And perhaps a system like this would only use about one third the power of a Pentium 4 system. My new Core2 Duo uses up to 65 Watts of power as compared what my old Prescott Pentium 4 at 3.4 GHz at 89 W.
I will update this review as I learn more in the future whether it be good or bad about this product.
Processor Specifications:
sSpec Number: SLAPK
CPU Speed: 3.16 GHz
PCG: 06
Bus Speed: 1333 MHz
Bus/Core Ratio: 9.5
L2 Cache Size: 6 MB
L2 Cache Speed: 3.16 GHz
Package Type: LGA775
Manufacturing Technology: 45 nm
Core Stepping: C0
CPUID String: 10676h
Thermal Design Power: 65W
Thermal Specification: 72.4°C
VID Voltage Range: 0.85V - 1.3625V
