Intel's New 65nm, G0 Step Conroe: An Early Look at 45nm Performance?

[freecableguy]

Intel's New 65nm, G0 Step Conroe:
An Early Look at 45nm Performance?

Date: 24 June, 2007
Author: Kristopher Boughton

Category: Product Review
Manufacturer: Intel

Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo E6550 ES

On July 22, 2007 Intel will release their new 65nm Conroe Core2 Duo 1333MHz Front Side Bus (FSB) series processors. In addition to a higher default bus speeds, we'll experience the first of a multitude of process advancements that will breathe a second wind of life into an already amazing architecture. These new processors, the E6850, E6750 and E6550, will be manufactured using the new, improved G0 stepping mask, delivering vastly improved thermals and electrical characteristics for increased overclocking capabilities and an overall cooler running system.

Let's begin with a quick look at the new models to be released next month. Each dual-core CPU utilizes a full 4MB L2 shared cache as well as a bump in FSB speed from 1066Mhz to 1333Mhz (quad-pumped 333MHz). Prices for these new processor for 1000 lot quantities will take an even bigger dive -- assuming nominal retail profits, we should expect to see the high-end E6850 available for less than $300. This is an amazing price point, especially considering that the current 'top-dog' X6800 CPU (2.93Ghz, 1066MHz FSB, 4MB L2 cache) still sells for just south of a grand. Expect all future "Extreme" edition processors to be quad cores as the high-performance segment continues to mature.

Undoubtably, you will be able to read review after review in the coming days featuring the new top-bin E6850 and because of this, we here at The Tech Repository have decided to do something a little different. Instead, we are going to review what will effectively be the budget/mainstream segment CPU - the E6550. Costs always play an important role in the selection of any computer component, at least in my mind. The purpose of this review is to show you, nay, convince you, why the 2.33GHz part desirves your attention (and your money).

Our test platform, consisting of the following components, was used for the collection of all performance data and results:

• Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo E6550 Engineering Sample (ES)
• Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-P35-DQ6
• Memory: 2x1GB OCZ DDR2 PC2-9200 Reaper HPC (Heat Pipe Conduit) Edition
• Graphics: ATI X1900XT Crossfire Edition Master Card + ATI X1900XTX
• Sound: Auzentech X-Meridian 7.1
• Storage: 2x Western Digital Raptor 74GB SATA Hard Disk, 10K RPM, 8MB cache (RAID 0)
• Optical: 2x Plextor PX-755A SATA DVD+/-RW DL
• PSU: Seasonic S12 Energy+ SS-650HT (650W)
• Case: Lian-Li PC-G70B
• Cooling: D-TEK FuZion for CPU cooling, 2x Danger Den Tyee - Crossfire for GPU cooling, Thermochill PA120.3 radiator, 6x Yate Loon 120x25mm D12SL-12 fans @ 7v, 2x Laing D5 Vario/Swiftech MCP655 12v DC pumps, Tygon R-3603 1/2" ID (3/4" OD) tubing

The following table is a summary of voltage and temperature data collected when testing for stability using Prime 95 v25.3. Both cores were loaded to 100% and held there for a varying length of time to insure stability.

Although this particular E6550 came branded with a default VID (voltage identification) of 1.275, as you can see, significantly less voltage was actually required to allow for proper operation -- only 0.92v in fact! Because of this the processor runs extremely cool here at full load, at an astounding 24ºC! Lower stable speeds are possible at lower voltages, although at this point you're not going to go any lower than ambient (22ºC for our testing). The CPU also responded remarkably well to small increases in voltages, each one giving a noted bump in speed. Stability at 3.00GHz, the default speed for the upcoming E6850 required only 1.05v! Pushing the system a whole 500MHz higher could be accomplished with just 1.20v! As you can see, the new G0 step appears to have outstanding potential. Surely we will see some rather amazing overclocks with phase change and LN2 when these become widely available.

NOTE: All voltages shown below are the minimum required for complete stability. No doubt the processor could manage to POST and load Windows to the desktop with less voltage than the levels documented below.

Stability testing using Prime 95 v25.3 (partial screenshots):

• 3.00GHz (500x6), 2.00GHz FSB, 1.056v
• 3.50GHz (500x7), 2.00GHz FSB, 1.200v
• 3.64GHz (520x7), 2.08GHz FSB, 1.264v
• 3.73GHz (533x7), 2.13GHz FSB, 1.296v
• 3.85GHz (550x7), 2.20GHz FSB, 1.360v - 230W idle / 300W full load (measured at the wall)

Unfortunately, it looks as though we have reached our maximum overclock prematurely. The stock 7x multiplier is severely limiting us and without a means in which to press the FSB ever higher we find ourselves at an impossible impass. The need for an enthusiast-level motherboard capable of reaching 500MHz FSB or higher (think Intel P35 chipset) is a requirement for having fun with this CPU. And even though a final speed of 3.85GHz was accomplished, being quite impressive in itself and more than adequate for an everyday system solution, we may occasionally find ourselves wanting more for some gratuitous gaming or an all-night benchmark session. The bonus though, of course, is finding ourselves here needing only 1.36v. We can confidently expect that the coming P35-chipset motherboards from the likes of DFI should have no problem shooting this CPU well above 4GHz with just watercooling (and ever air for those in cooler climates).

As you can see, the new G0 step shows great progress beyond the bounds of the previous B2/B3 steppings. It should be of no great surprise to anyone that the next-generation architecture is just around the corner. Penryn, Wolfdale and Yorkfield, all built on the 45nm process, are sure to be outstanding clockers if Intel applies just half of what they've learned from the 65nm process to them. In fact, we're pretty sure that the G0 step incorporates a lot of what Intel has learned about what does and does not work for their soon-to-launch 45nm processors. And because of that, we'd tell anyone that wants a small taste of what 45nm has to offer to enjoy the new G0 step as soon as possible.


-FCG