X-bit labs

Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 + ASUS P5W DH Deluxe: Ideal Mainstream Platform? (page 15)

Category: CPU

by Ilya Gavrichenkov

[ 07/13/2006 | 08:39 PM ]

Conclusion

First of all I would like to point out that new Intel processors on Core microarchitecture boast very impressive performance. The improvements Intel introduced in them have certainly helped create today’s most efficient x86 processor design. And the results of our Core 2 Duo E6300 tests prove it. Although the newcomer works at lower nominal clock speed than AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+, it demonstrates absolute advantage in most applications. Therefore, if AMD doesn’t drop the prices of its dual-core processors even lower (which is unlikely so far), we will have to state that Intel offers a way better price-to-performance ration for the mainstream and high-end segment.

And Overclocking wouldn’t help here. As we have just seen in this article, the youngest Core 2 Duo models boast very good overclocking potential. In fact, it is much better than that of other CPUs from the same price range. During our test session we managed to overclock Intel Core 2 Duo by more than 50% without touching its Vcore and using an air cooler. However, we didn’t even come close to revealing its entire overclocking potential, because of the hardware-related issues of the platform we used.

As we have already said, Core 2 Duo processors have their clock frequency multiplier locked at a relatively low value. As a result, the mainboards used for overclocking experiments like that should allow increasing the FSB frequency quite significantly. Unfortunately, the ASUS P5W DH Deluxe mainboard we used could only support 420MHz FSB frequency. That is why we didn’t manage to get more impressive results. Although, what we achieved was quite remarkable already, I should say.

This way, Core 2 Duo E6300 processor can be regarded as a great choice within its price group. However, when you build a system around it, you should pay special attention to the mainboard you pick, because it will determine your maximum overclocking potential. Therefore, smart mainboard choice is a crucial moment when putting together a system with Intel Core microarchitecture based processor.

To be continued…