Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #32401 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Intel
• Model: BX80562Q6600
• Released on: 2007-09-18
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: 7.00" h x 4.00" w x 7.00" l, 1.50 pounds
• CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad 2.4 GHz
• Processors: 1

Manufacturer's Description
The Intel Core 2 Quad processor is the latest in cutting edge processor technology for the desktop PC. Based on the Intel Core microarchitecture, the Intel Core 2 Quad processor delivers four complete execution cores within a single processor, delivering unprecedented performance and responsiveness in multi-threaded and multi-tasking business and home use environments.The Intel Core 2 Quad processor is at the center of today's most interactive and content rich software experiences. The evolving set of threaded multi-media applications, including digital content creation, will shine as users are able to complete tasks faster. Game play can achieve even greater visualization and realism as tasks such as artificial intelligence (AI), physics, and rendering can be distributed across each of the four complete execution cores and run in parallel.

Customer Reviews

Awesome power for the budget-concious
The Core2Quad Q6600 is actually available in two revisions - the older B3 stepping and the newer, more efficient G0 stepping. I'm hoping by now the one Amazon is selling is the newer G0. I've had my Q6600 a while now, so unfortunately I have the older B3 which uses more power and runs hotter, but I'm still more than happy with it and have overclocked it to 3ghz for a bit of a speed boost.

The Q6600 is an LGA775 CPU that requires a modest 1066mhz FSB, unlike some of the newer quads that need 1333mhz or 1600mhz, so it will run happily on most chipsets from P965 or Nforce 6 or later.

If you are debating whether to get a quad core CPU or a dual core, the increase in multi-threaded software over the past few months should make the decision for you. If you are into video encoding, most video codecs are threaded these days - DivX for example will use all 4 cores and therefore finish the job in much less time than a dual core. Far Cry 2 when it is released will also use more than 2 threads, with one core dedicated to physics, another for AI and the rest for the game engine.

It'll support a 64bit OS too. I'm using Vista x64 with it now and since SP1 many of the annoying gremlins it had have gone. The days when 64bit operating systems are necessary are on their way.

If you are going to buy one, I would recommend a better heatsink than the one that comes in the box, such as the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro or the Tuniq Tower or Thermalright Ultra. It does get hot and a good heatsink will keep the noise down.

Plenty quick enough for most applications
This processor was purchased to replace an ageing dual Athlon 2.0GHz MP system and has worked well straight out of the box (part # BX80562Q6600).

The processor was married to a separately purchased "Intel G965 Socket 775 ATX" motherboard (Intel DG965WHMKR). The included fan is quiet and sufficient for the job, including pre-applied thermal paste. In a Windows XP x64 system with 2Gb of Crucial DDR2 memory, Office applications run well as do mid-range flight simulations (CFS 3 and Glider Sim - SoTS). Take care on application support on XP x64, as not all usual applications will run under the 32-bit sub-system (e.g. Norton Anti-Virus).

Good at the price point for those wanting to upgrade, as the Intel Quad Core 2 extreme processors are probably only worth the money (four times as much) for servers or for real top end gaming.

A beast of a processor
Pros:
- Low price
- FSB comparable to the newer Core 2 Quads
- Overclocks like a beast, even on air (aftermarket cooler may be needed depending on the stepping)

Cons:
- Superseded by the new i7 line, may become obsolete in a year or two