Santa Clara (CA) – Intel introduced a new quad-core enthusiast processor to bolster its product line for high-performance computers. The new QX6800 CPU increases the clock speed to 2.93 GHz and lifts the price of an Intel enthusiast CPU to a new record level.

Intel says that the new CPU is aiming to attract the attention of gamers and digital design professionals who are looking to squeeze more speed out of their computer system. While performance gains out of multimedia and digital design applications may not be too surprising - Intel claims that the QX6800 can encode video 65% faster than the dual-core EX6800 – advantages in the gaming field is something we are still getting used to.

Several new games scheduled for release this year are expected to make use of more than four processing cores. These titles include as Crytek’s Crysis, Gas Powered Games’ Supreme Commander, Flagship’s Hellgate London as well as versions of Valve’s Half-Life 2, which will use quad-core resources to enable physics processing.

According to Intel, the service pack 1 for Microsoft’s Flight Simulator X, due out later this month, will also support the quad-core chip. “Flight Sim X SP1 greatly increases multicore utilization and will scale as more threads are available leading to reduced load times as well as frame rate improvements and greater visual complexity during flight,” a Microsoft representative said in a prepared statement.

New about the QX6800 is also the tray price level of $1200, which is 20% above of any previous Intel enthusiast CPU, which are typically priced at $1000. The QX6700 (2.66 GHz) and EX6800 (2.93 GHz) remain unchanged at $1000. Some online shops have begun offering the CPU to consumers with prices ranging from about $1320 to $1410.

Boutique PC builder DigitalStorm was among the first companies to offer a PC system equipped with a QX6800 processor. The firm charges $345 for an upgrade from a QX6700 to a QX6800 processor and offers basic 2.93 GHz quad-core systems from about $3200.

Benchmarks?

Apr 09, 2007 12:11     

Nice!! But where are the benchmarks?? xD
Popper report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

man... a waste...another way

Apr 09, 2007 12:53     

to make money. this is just a joke man. i mean seriously 1200 for a processor!? man get a q6600 or the qx6700 instead and just over clock. the performance boost of the qx6800 isnt big enough to be worth purchasing. i mean is a 1-10 sec difference or a 500pt. increase in 3dmark or 5-10 fps more is worth $1200??? thats not big enough of a improvement... thats more of a overclock...spend ur money smartly and not going out and getting the "buyers' remorce" on to u

buc report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

This is why competition is good

Apr 09, 2007 14:24     

Because intel will jack the prices as high as they possibly can if AMD doesnt get their butts in gear!
3D Render report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

We need a 3 horse race

Apr 09, 2007 15:30     

3DRender is only partly right. Competition does keep the prices down but AMD are loving this as it means they can launch their new CPU at $1200 too. We need another CPU manufacturer to come along as between Intel and AMD they're guilty of controlling the market price for CPUs. No way is any bulk-manufactured chip worth even $500. Look at nVidia's 8800 for example. WAY more transistors and complexity than any CPU but pricewise much cheaper.

Niz report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

like a hot rodder....

Apr 09, 2007 16:31     

it seems that people who overclock and are looking for the best price/performance seem to forget that there are others out there that dont overclock and want the best chip money could buy...to these people an extra 200-300 bucks is just fine for 2-5% performance increase (plus its still under warranty if it blows or doesnt work). These people are known as professionals.
michael report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

there are 3 horses in this game

Apr 09, 2007 16:37     

everyone forgets that VIA makes processors. the only problem is that they are not actively seeking a big market share... comeon VIA u can do it!
michael report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

VIA processors...

Apr 10, 2007 06:42     

If their CPUs are as wonderful as their chipsets I'm not sure we are missing out on much... personally I have had terrible luck with VIA... VIA is one of those companies that I really want to like but they just don't quite seem to have it together.
Brian report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

In answer to michael

Apr 11, 2007 15:54     

As your saying that an broken processor, that was once overclocked, is out of warranty... Could you please explain me how it could be possible to proove with absolute certainty that a processor has been overclocked ? Intel or AMD, or wathever firm making any kind of overclockable processors, saying that overclocked processors are out of warranty looks for me like considering consumers as idiots...

Kirk report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

response to Render

Apr 12, 2007 22:27     

Response to 3d Render I don't think it'd make any sense for AMD to charge as high a price for their upcoming quad core when they are already behind in market share. If they wanna gain ground, they can price their chips $200-$300 less than Intel's Quad Cores.
TomWaddle report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

to Kirk

Apr 23, 2007 15:55     

As a test engineer at Intel, I can tell you that our processors have a "black box" that records voltage, clock speed, multiplier etc.We are able to retrieve the setting log and CAN (not necessarily will) refuse to RMA the processor if they don't like what the log reveals. We don't advertise the black box obviously, but as it is there.
mi report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0