Intel E8500 Core2 Duo Review :: Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E8000 series Features

• Available at 3.16GHz, 3.00GHz and 2.66GHz
• Supports Intel 64 architecture
• Supports Intel Trusted Execution Technology
• Very deep out-of-order execution
• Enhanced branch prediction
• Intel Advanced Digital Media Boost
• 45 nanometer process
• 6MB L2 Cache
• Clock speed 3.16GHz
• FSB 1333MHz
• Package FC-LGA8
• Memory DDR2, DDR3
• Slot/Socket Type LGA-775
• Pin Count 775-land
• sSpec Number SLAPK
• Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology
• Execute Disable Bit
• Intel EM64T
• Intel Thermal Monitor 2
• Intel Virtualization Technology
• Dual Core

The E8500 is based upon the same processor family as the QX9650 CPU released last year, the Penryn family. The codename for the Core 2 Duo CPUs based upon the Penryn core are called Wolfdale and the E8500 is the fastest available model at 3.16GHz. There are other models based upon this core at lower clock speeds. All Core 2 Duo Wolfdale CPUs have 6MB of L2 cache, which matches the amount of cache per core found on the Core 2 Quad CPUs based upon.

Every consumer Intel CPU with the exception of the Xeon processors on the Mac and the QX9775 on the Intel Skulltrail platform use the LGA-775 Socket with 775 Land pins. The FSB of the E8500 is 1333MHz, which is the same as the QX9650 and other Intel CPUs on the 45 nanometer process. The multiplier on the E8500 is 9.5x. The E8500 has two independent cores, hence the Core 2 Duo name.

The E6500 has 410 million transistors and a die size of 107mm2. The previous core, Conroe had 291 million transistors and a die size of 143mm2, due to the 45 nanometer die shrink the processor has 119 million transistors fits into a smaller die. The Core 2 Quad 9650 has 820 million transistors and a die size of 286mm2 but also has 12MB of L2 cache accounting for the die size difference and the transistor count.

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology allows CPUs like the E8500 to lower their clockspeed and voltage when the application doesn't call for a heavy load on the CPU. Intel introduced SpeedStep technology with the Prescott brand a couple of years ago, and it can really save on the power usage and heat generation of the CPU. The E8500 has a maximum TDP of 65W, compared to 130W on some of the other Intel Core 2 Quad CPUs.

Virtualization Technology allows the CPU to run a guest Operating System on a Host Operating System without modification. Intel introduced VT to their Core 2 line of CPUs last year and the E8500 also supports this. There is more to a system than a CPU and the motherboard, BIOS, hardware and Operating System all have to support VT for it work properly.

Viruses are programs that duplicate themselves. Computer users have had viruses since nearly the beginning of the Windows era. Intel introduced their eXecute Disable Bit in their IA-64 (Merced) CPU way back when. The Prescott CPU was the first consumer Intel CPU to have XD enabled. XD disables executable programs that can cause harm. Here's a chart of the various Core 2 Wolfdale CPUs and Yorkfield CPUs on the market (Quad Core Penryns). You'll notice that the E8500 is the fastest available Core 2 Duo of the Wolfdale line but also the priciest. There is a clear delineation of pricing and speed versus the Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Quad CPUs. The pricing of the E8500 comes closest to AMD's Phenom 9600 but that CPU is rather weak in performance due to various problems including a TLB erratum that caused performance to drop by up to 20% in certain situations.

Processor 8xxx series	Cache	Clockspeed	FSB	Virtualization	Trusted Technology	Intel Pricing in thousands
E8500	6MB	L2	3.16GHz	1333MHz	Yes	Yes	$266
E8400	6MB	L2	3.00	1333MHz	Yes	Yes	$183
E8200	6MB	L2	2.66	1333Mhz	Yes	Yes	$163
E8190	6MB	L2	2.66	1333MHz	No	No	$163

Processor 9xxx series	Cache	Clockspeed	FSB	Virtualization	Trusted Technology	Intel Pricing (in thousands)
Core 2 Quad Q9550	12MB	L2	2.83GHz	1333MHz	Yes	Yes	$530
Core 2 Extreme Q9650	12MB	L2	3.00GHz	1333MHz	Yes	Yes	$999