Intel Announces Core Duo 2 Branding and August Release for 64-bit Merom

[Andrew Baxter]

Intel on Sunday announced that its new 64-bit dual core chips for laptop and desktop computers will both be called"Core 2 Duo", hoping to reignite interest in its products amid tough competition from rival Advanced Micro Devices (AMD).

The mobile processor microchip is known by codename "Merom" while the desktop processor is codenamed "Conroe".  Intel will also introduce a premium processor to be dubbed "Core 2 Extreme".  Conroe processors should begin shipping in July while the Merom notebook processors should become available in August.  The branding is set, below are the two images you will see appear as stickers on future machines carrying these processors:

 

The mobile processor series should have a T5000 line of processors that will have 2MB of L2 cache and a higher end line T7000 that will have 4MB of L2 cache.  Clock speeds should match that of currently available Core Duo processors (about 1.66GHz - 2.13GHz).  The big change between the currently available Core Duo processor and Core Duo 2 is that the Merom Core Duo 2 will support 64-bit instructions.  Below is a list of 4 processors we believe will launch in August:

• T5600: 1.83 GHz, FSB667, 2 MB L2 cache, $241 at launch
• T7200: 2.00 GHz, FSB667, 4 MB L2 cache, $294 at launch
• T7400: 2.16 GHz, FSB667, 4 MB L2 cache, $423 at launch
• T7600: 2.33 GHz, FSB667, 4 MB L2 cache, $637 at launch

Although Intel is predicting August for a release of the Merom processor, it will not arrive in shipping notebooks in time for the back to school sale period which starts now and runs through until the beginning of August.  The processor will probably provide about 10 - 20% performance boost over current Core Duo processors, but if you need a notebook now it's probably not worth waiting.  Current Core Duo prices have dropped making notebooks with the current processor a very attractive buy.

 

 

[onedeep]

Is it true that those with a Core Duo right now will be able to replace it with this chip without any more effort than flashing the BIOS?

[qwester]

Is it true that those with a Core Duo right now will be able to replace it with this chip without any more effort than flashing the BIOS?

They are pin compatible and use the same chipset. So no reason why it shouldn't work. But usually such upgrades will require hardware support in the form of a BIOS upgrade for guaranteed functionality and stability (power requirement compatibility). Therefore you will have to rely on your notebook's manufacturer releasing a BIOS update.

[MysticGolem]

I just wanna make sure that i am right.

Merom = Core Duo 2
Conroe = Core Duo Extreme

Right?

Hmm, didn't Merom not only say 10-20% boost in performance but also an increase in batterylife by a certain percentage??

I mean what's different about the power consumption of this processor?
How and will it be able to deliver more batterylife?

Thanks,

MysticGolem

[qwester]

Conroe is the desktop variant with the designation "E" before the model number. It exist in 2 variants: the regular one (replaces the pentium 4 and D line) and the EE (replaces the P4EE). The extreme edition has higher clock and FSB speeds (not yet revealed)

Merom is only a mobile CPU, of course it can be used in small form factor desktops and media centers, where heat output is an important consideration.

[raptor]

Merom (Core Duo 2) isn't real 64 bit, right? It only emulates 64 bit mode.
Am i wrong? How about AMD's Turion 64.

regards
Raptor

[rainingshots]

Is it worth it to wait for Santa Rosa platform? I have meaning to buy a laptop for the past year, I waited all this time for merom just to get the 64 bit core duo capability. I don't know if I should just get a it when it comes out in aug/sept or to wait for the santa rosa which god knows when they will start releasing actual laptops with that chipset.

[FidyYuan]

A BIOS upgrade would be necessary but I'm not sure companies would be willing to release it. They'd probably want you to buy the new laptops with the Core 2 Duo.

[ProphetX]

This is definately a pivitol moment in home computing history.

[Jmmmmm]

This is definately a pivitol moment in home computing history.

10-20% doesn't sound so pivotal to me, sounds like just another step along the path. It's too bad they can't get these out before school gets in, lots of people will have to buy computers that will be obsolete a month later.