Core 2 Duo smokes AMD's Athlon 64 X2

[acmejack]

Westlake Village (CA) - Just about two weeks ahead of the official launch, Core 2 Duo's true performance capability comes to light. In tests conducted by Tom's Hardware Guide, Intel's new processor delivered stunning results, outpacing its AMD rival in almost every discipline. For the first time in about two years, Intel is offering a superior desktop processor that may cause more than just a headache for AMD.

Core 2 Duo will be Intel's second processor based on the firm's new Core micro architecture. Following the Xeon 5100, formerly code-named "Woodcrest", Intel will unleash the desktop version of Core: The Core 2 Duo E6000 series ("Conroe") will officially debut on 27 July and if we believe some industry sources, Intel may be even announcing the mobile variant - and foundation for all three processors - Core 2 Duo T7000 ("Merom") on that day as well.

Conroes has been in mass production for several weeks and has been shipping for some time. Press analysts also had access to standard production samples, but were under a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) and therefore were prevented from publishing information relating to Core 2 Duo. These NDAs expired tonight and there will be a flurry of reports on whether the new processor is as good as Intel promised it to be.

Extensive benchmark testing by Tom's Hardware's engineers leaves no doubt that this answer has to be answered with a clear yes. Core 2 Duo does not only bring a substantial jump in performance, it also manages to surpass its AMD rival: The Intel chip dominates most benchmark disciplines and came out on top in 35 out of 37 tests. AMD's fastest processor still holds the crown in synthetic benchmarks.

http://www.tgdaily.com/2006/07/14/core_2_duo_benchmark_results/

[wakeme2008]

1. LOL and if you believe AMD has been seating doing nothing

I have a bridge to sell you..

IMHO AMD will have a faster processor out right after Intel's comes out.

[negativenihil]

3. Competition is a good thing - we the consumer win

Well of course AMD will counter with something. I just find it nice to see that Intel has learned from the whole netburst fiasco and has really put some r&d into this new micro-architecture.

I'm actually really itching to get my hands on a core duo or core 2 duo based system to tinker with.

[ET Awful]

4. I'll also wait for reviews form other sites. Tom's has historically

had a very, shall we say "Intelcentric" bias.

[wakeme2008]

5. If you go to Tom's site and look at the chart

the big gains are with an OVERCLOCKED clip...
And only hardcore gamers overclock their systems.

[ET Awful]

6. That kind of proves my point, if you look at the difference between

a Core 2 running at stock speed (2.93HZ) and an Athlon 64 FX-62 (at 2.8GHz) is no greater than you'd expect for the difference in speed, but Tom tries to present it as a major leap forward. It's not THAT much faster, and will easily be surpassed by the next iteration of Athlon chips.

To try to present Intel as being superior is simply short-sighted, the two companies have been in a race for years, and it's not likely to change any time soon.

[Xenotime]

2. The Woodcrest will power the next-gen mac desktops...

"Apple plans to take advantage of Woodcrest's multi-processor capabilities by offering versions of its upcoming Mac Pro professional desktops that will sport two of the dual core chips, people familiar with the Mac maker's plans have said." - Appleinsider.com

Translation = 4 cores in one kick ass mac.

[Touchdown]

7. Subject header makes me laugh.

My Colecovision can beat up your Intellivision, and make that guy's Atari hold it's jacket.
:rofl: