Intel Launches New Processor Models, QX9650 Gets Replaced

Back in May, I made a news post about the certain demise of the QX9650 Extreme processor – the very first 45nm-based offering out of Intel – which we first took a look at last October. Well, the time has finally come, as multiple e-tailers have its replacement in stock, the Q9650.

As mentioned in that news post, not a single thing changes between the two CPUs except for the name. The clock speed remains at 3.0GHz, the FSB at 1333MHZ, the L2 Cache at 12MB and the drool-factor at 10. As of now, the only 45nm Extreme Edition left is the 1600FSB QX9770, and it will remain as such until Nehalem’s launch in the months ahead. For those not in a Quad mood, Intel has also launched other products that were sitting in the pipeline, including the Q9400, E8600 and E7300.

The Q9400 is a step-up from the Q9300 and sits at 2.66GHz with a 1333MHz FSB. The L2 Cache is scaled down from the higher-end models to remain at 6MB. That’s the sole difference between this and the Q9450, as that processor runs with 12MB of L2 Cache.

Also new are two Dual-Core models, the E8600 and E7300. The former is a 3.33GHz offering very similar to the E8400, with the only difference being the overall speed. The same applies to the E7300 when comparing to the E7200, it’s a 2.53GHz vs 2.66GHz, essentially. Very lackluster difference, if I do say so myself.

Not all e-tailers are currently selling the new chips, but NewEgg and Mwave are carrying three: the Q9450, E8600 and the E7300. Canadian e-tailer NCIX is listed for all four mentioned above, but none are in stock. Any can be placed on a special 2 – 5 day order, however.

• Intel Core 2 Duo E7300 – Mwave ($143.00)
• Intel Core 2 Duo E7300 – NewEgg ($144.99)
• Intel Core 2 Duo E8600 – Mwave ($275.00)
• Intel Core 2 Duo E8600 – NewEgg ($279.99)
• Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 – Mwave ($550.00)
• Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 – NewEgg ($559.99)

These are the lowest prices I could find, although other stores were selling them for much, much more. I’m sure as the week goes on, they will begin to creep up on many more e-tailers, so I’ll report later this week if things change.