Intel, Dell promote quad-core CPUs for the mainstream
updated 11:10 am EST, Tue November 14, 2006
Intel, Dell quad-cores
Intel has formally rolled out the Core 2 Extreme QX6700, the first quad-core processor aimed at desktops. Each core is clocked at 2.66GHz, and the front-side bus reaches 1,066MHz. It has an 8MB L2 cache and a split L1 cache, divided into two 16KB units. One of the first companies to adopt the processor is Dell, who've made it an option in their new XPS 710 systems. The computers use Nvidia's nForce 590 SLI motherboards and support up to 2TB of storage, 4GB of DDR2 RAM, and four GeForce 7950s or two ATI Radeon X1950s. In general, less expensive options are offered by default. A stock 20-inch LCD can be upgraded to 24 inches. Prices for the 710 range begin at $3,699, but can easily approach $5,000 or more as extra hardware is added.
