Intel Takes Popular Laptops to ‘Extreme’ with First-Ever Extreme Edition Mobile Processor; Adds New Desktop Chip; High-Performing Notebook and Desktop Processors Arrive Near First Anniversary of Award-Winning Intel Core™ Microarchitecture
Addressing demand for even faster laptop computers for hardcore gamers, artists and media enthusiasts, Intel Corporation today introduced its first Intel Core™2 Extreme mobile dual-core processor — the world’s highest-performing mobile processor(1) — adopting the brand from the company’s flagship desktop offerings. The company also introduced new desktop processors and said it expects to announce battery-friendly quad-core processors for laptop computers next year.
The new products come on the heels of the company’s 1-year anniversary of introducing server, desktop and laptop processors based on the innovative Intel Core™ microarchitecture.
“Laptops are the fastest-growing computing market segment, and there is increasing demand from those who crave the ultimate in video, gaming and design computing performance yet want the freedom and flexibility that a laptop brings,” said Mooly Eden, Intel vice president and general manager, Mobile Platforms Group. “Due to our innovative technology and design capabilities, we can offer world-class, power-smart performance for the most demanding mobile users, and are proud to offer it under our Intel Core 2 Extreme brand — a name that has become synonymous with ultimate performance.”
The Intel Core 2 Extreme X7800 mobile dual-core processor, with both cores running at a brisk 2.6 GHz, also features mobile-specific power-saving features that help Intel’s computer-maker customers deliver more energy-efficient and higher-performing designs. For example, the Intel Core 2 Extreme mobile processor X7800 offers up to 28 percent more performance(2) than our previous-generation mobile processor. In addition, for experienced enthusiasts who desire more capability, the Intel Core 2 Extreme mobile processor bus ratio locks (overspeed protection) have been removed(3). This offers added technical flexibility in customizing the system so OEMs can unleash even more performance.
Flagship Desktop Processor Introduced
For desktop PCs, Intel is announcing a robust set of new processors, including the flagship Intel Core™2 Extreme QX6850 quad-core processor. Clocked at 3.0 GHz with a new, faster 1333 MHz system bus speed, the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6850 will be welcomed by game developers looking to deliver new features and performance levels. Intel also announced new Intel Core™2 Duo and Core™2 Quad processors. 
“Thanks to the Intel Core 2 Extreme quad core processor, the PC version of Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter(5) 2 raises gaming to new heights,” said Bo Anderson, CEO, GRIN Development Studio(5). “Developed by GRIN and published by Ubisoft(5), the game draws upon the power of Intel’s next-generation multi-threaded engine to provide amazingly realistic gameplay. Intel’s quad-core processor uses one core for physics, one for rendering, one for game logic and one for miscellaneous tasks, which can provide consistently higher and more stable frame rates.”
Intel Core Microarchitecture – One Year Later
A year ago this month the company began introducing these innovative and energy-efficient products, and in that year Intel Core microarchitecture and its processors have achieved a number of milestones, including:
- Delivering the world’s first x86 software-compatible quad-core processor line for servers and PCs, as well as storage and embedded systems. To date, Intel has introduced 14 quad-core processor versions.
- Receiving more than 75 independent awards and other accolades from online publications and magazine editors around the world. The full list can be reviewed at http://www.intel.com/pressroom/kits/core2duo/awards.htm.
- Securing nearly half (224) of the 500 top-ranked high-performance computers as measured by the recently announced Top 500 Supercomputers List (http://www.top500.org).
- Doubling the performance of laptops with Intel Core 2 Duo processors while maintaining impressive battery life(4).
- Paving the way for the biggest change to transistor design in 40 years that will combine the company’s 45-nanometer manufacturing process and the next-generation Intel Core™2 and Intel Xeon processors.
New Processor Pricing and Availability
The Intel Core 2 Extreme X7800 mobile processor, running at 2.6 GHz with 4 MB of L2 cache, is available to OEMs now at a cost of $851. Notebook systems will appear on the market within the next two weeks. The new Intel desktop processors are also shipping to OEMs now, with product available to end users within the next two weeks. Pricing and specifications for the new desktop processors are as follows:
| Processor | Number of Cores | Frequency | Front Side Bus (FSB) | L2 Cache | Price in 1,000-Unit Quantities |
| Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6850 | 4 | 3.0 GHz | 1333 MHz | 8 MB | $999 |
| Intel Core 2 Quad Q6700 | 4 | 2.66 GHz | 1066 MHz | 8 MB | $530 |
| Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 | 2 | 3.0 GHz | 1333 MHz | 4 MB | $266 |
| Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 | 2 | 2.66 GHz | 1333 MHz | 4 MB | $183 |
| Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 | 2 | 2.33 GHz | 1333 MHz | 4 MB | $163 |
Intel, the world leader in silicon innovation, develops technologies, products and initiatives to continually advance how people work and live. Intel and the Intel logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the United States and other countries.
(1) Performance measured on Intel Core™2 Extreme mobile processor X7800 running SPECint_base2006. Actual performance may vary. See http://www.intel.com/performance for more information. SPEC, SPECint, SPECfp, and SPECrate are trademarks of the Standard Performance Evaluation Corporation. For more information about SPEC benchmarks see: http://www.spec.org.
(2) As measured comparing the Intel Core 2 Extreme Mobile processor X7800 with the Intel Core Duo processor T2600 on the 3DMark06 CPU test. Details and system specs at http://www.intel.com/performance/mobile/extreme.
(3) Altering clock frequency and/or voltage may (i) reduce system stability and useful life of the system and processor; (ii) cause the processor and other system components to fail; (iii) cause reductions in system performance; (iv) cause additional damage; and (v) affect system data integrity. Intel has not tested, and does not warranty, the operation of the processor beyond its specifications.
(4) As measured by SPEC CPU2006 comparing the Intel Core™2 Duo Processor T7700 and T7100 with a comparable frequency single core Intel Pentium M Processor. Actual performance may vary. See http://www.intel.com/performance/mobile/benchmarks.htm for important additional information. SPEC, SPECint, SPECfp, SPECrate, SPECweb, SPECjbb are trademarks of the Standard Performance Evaluation Corporation. See: http://www.spec.org for more information on the benchmarks.
(5) Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.
