Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770 Processor EU80569XL088NL - 3.20GHz, 12MB Cache, 1600MHz FSB, Yorkfield XE, Quad Core, OEM, Socket 775, Processor

Features

• Quad-Core Processing
  Provides four independent execution cores in a single processor package. Four dedicated processing threads help operating systems and applications deliver additional performance, so end users can experience better multitasking and multi-threaded performance across many types of applications and workloads.
• Chipset Support
  Intel® Express Chipsets offer an array of exciting capabilities including dual graphics and deliver an impressive level of performance for demanding users. Other third-party chipsets may support Intel Core 2 Extreme quad-core processors; contact your board manufacturer for compatibility.
• Intel® Wide Dynamic Execution
  Improves execution speed and efficiency, delivering more instructions per clock cycle. Each core can complete up to four full instructions simultaneously.
• Intel® Smart Memory Acces
  Optimizes the use of the data bandwidth from the memory subsystem to accelerate out-of-order execution. A prediction mechanism reduces the time in-flight instructions have to wait for data. Pre-fetch algorithms move data from system memory into fast L2 cache in advance of execution. These functions keep the pipeline full, improving instruction throughput and performance. 45nm versions further improve this feature, with more efficient methods of loading and storing data in main memory.
• Intel® Advanced Smart Cache
  Dynamically allocates the shared L2 cache to each processor core based on workload. This efficient, dual-core-optimized implementation increases the probability that each core can access data from fast L2 cache, significantly reducing latency to frequently used data and improving performance.
• Intel® HD Boost
  Accelerates the execution of Streaming SIMD Extension (SSE) instructions to significantly improve the performance on a broad range of multimedia and compute intensive applications. The 128-bit SSE instructions are now issued at a throughput rate of one per clock cycle, effectively doubling their speed of execution on a per-clock basis over previous generation processors. 45nm versions include a new Super Shuffle Engine which improves existing SSE instructions while enabling significant gains on the latest SSE4 instruction set. SSE4-optimized applications, such as video editing and encoding in high-definition resolution, will see additional performance improvements.
• Intel® Virtualization Technology (Intel® VT)
  Allows one hardware platform to function as multiple “virtual” platforms. Intel VT improves manageability, limits downtime, and maintains worker productivity by isolating computing activities into separate partitions.
• Intel® 64 Architecture
  Allows the processor to access larger amounts of memory. With appropriate 64-bit hardware and software, platforms based on an Intel processor supporting Intel 64 architecture can allow the use of extended virtual and physical memory.
  
• Execute Disable Bit
  Provides enhanced virus protection when deployed with a supported operating system and prevents the code from infecting the system. Memory can be marked as executable or non-executable, allowing the processor to raise an error to the operating system if malicious code attempts to run in non-executable memory.

Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770 Processor Podcast Review
Listen To Product Insights From Our Editors

Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770 Processor Big Things Do Come in Small Packages Reviewed By Our Editors The Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770 Processor excels in multitasking. Running several tasks simultaneously will no longer be a burden for the user of this processor: specific cores take care of particular (probably basic) tasks, thus freeing up other cores and speeding up operations. Four independent cores (hence the term quad-core) working in sync certainly speed up applications; each core can run up to four instructions at the same time. This series in particular banks on the 45nm manufacturing technology. Simply put, this doubles the density of the transistor and gives the cache fifty per cent more in size (an L2 shared cache expands to 12MB). It promises a lot more with less energy consumption. Smart Memory Access makes sure that data is stored and accessed efficiently, reducing the probability of having idle or empty pipelines. The Intel 64 architecture gives the processor access to a larger chunk of memory. To extend physical and virtual memory, all that's needed is 64-bit software and hardware. Its Express Chipsets improve graphics. Multimedia applications can be harnessed using the Intel HD boost. With the aid of the SSE (Streaming SIMD Extension), corresponding instructions can now be dispensed at one per clock cycle, double that of previous processors from a different age. The Super Shuffle Engine 4 will give operations in high-def resolution and video editing that much needed boost. Compartmentalization of platforms can be done using the Intel Virtualization Technology, the creation of multiple virtual platforms. Activities of a computational nature are separated, making the operations less cluttered, manageable and productive. For those paranoid about new viruses cropping up at the most unexpected moments, the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770 Processor has a pre-emptive mechanism. It prevents the virus code from seeping into the system. Should a code decide to infest non-executable memory, the processor can mark memory as either executable or non-executable. Small but amazing, it is. It's got all the bases covered – from graphics improvement to system efficiency to virus protection.  So if you have to ability to add this to your new barebones project, or to upgrade your existing system, you should definitively consider this processor.