Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300 2.5GHz Processor

Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300 2.5GHz Processor Compatible Devices Today we are looking at an Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300 - a 'value' quad core CPU. The Q8300 is a 45nm Penryn derived part, and consists of two dual core die's in an MCM (multi-chip module) module like all other current Core 2 Quad processors. By contrast, the Core i7 has all four cores on a single die. There are basically three variants of the 45nm Core 2 Quad: 6MB of L2 cache per die (12MB per MCM) 3MB of L2 cache per die (6MB per MCM) 2MB of L2 cache per die (4MB per MCM) In a nutshell, the more L2 cache a chip has, the faster it will run software - so Intel prices the processors by a combination of L2 cache size and frequency; however there is a potential price advantage to parts with a smaller L2 cache, as it allows Intel to use a smaller die, thus getting more dies per wafer, instead of disabling part of a larger cache. Theoretically, with a smaller die, the 45nm Core 2 Quad Q8300 ought to be a great overclocker - unfortunately the rather low multiplier of 7.5 will drastically limit the overclocking potential of the chip due to its normal 1333MHz FSB.

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