Intel Corp., currently the only supplier of quad-core x86 microprocessors, has announced that future stepping of its Core 2 and Xeon processors with four processing engines will have lower power consumption, which will allow to install them into slightly smaller and quieter system. The new stepping may also eventually decrease power consumption of dual-core chips

Currently Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 and Intel Xeon processors models X3220 and X3210 have thermal design power (TDP) of 105W, whereas the new chips with G-0 stepping that will be released commercially in mid-July will have TDP of 95W. The improved processors will also be able to survive higher case temperatures (about 73°C compared to 62°C on current steppings).

The electrical, mechanical and thermal specifications will remain within the current specification, hence, the chips will be drop-in compatible with existing motherboards. However, CPUID of new quad-core offerings will be change will changed from 06F7 to 06FB and the new chips will require BIOS update.

Lowered power consumption amid ability to survive higher temperatures means that Intel is tweaking its 65nm Core 2-series processors’ design and, keeping in mind that current quad-core chips consist of two dual-core dice, Core 2 Duo microprocessors with lowered TDP and higher case temperatures may emerge sometime in future.

Chips with low TDP and ability to survive higher temperatures are also more preferred among overclockers.