At the time sales began in 2008, the Core 2 Extreme QX9770 was the most powerful desktop processor unit. Its hardware "filling" made it possible to solve any problems existing at that time. Since then, a lot of time has passed, but even now this chip allows you to run the most demanding toys, albeit not at maximum settings. And this already really says a lot.
CPU Niche
The Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770 was the most powerful chip of its time. He belonged to the premium segment. On its basis, the most high-speed PCs were assembled from the standpoint of high-speed performance. He also had an unlocked CPU frequency multiplier. That is, it was not difficult to disperse it. As a result, this processor was of most interest to computer enthusiasts, who can afford to throw an impressive amount to build or buy the most productive personal computer. It was for a niche of users demanding on the performance of a personal computer that this chip was released, which provided an uncompromising level of performance.
Hardware specifications
Core 2 Extreme QX9770 is focused on installation in the processor socket LGA775. This chip included 4 independent computing units. The semiconductor crystal itself, in this case, was produced by a process technology whose tolerance standards corresponded to 45 nm. The first level of fast cache was 128 KB, and the second - 12 MB. The number of transistors in this case was 820 million, the crystal area was 214 mm 2 , and the dimensions were 37.5 x 37.5 mm.
Frequency
Intel’s proprietary technology called TurboBust did not support this CPU. That is, he could not dynamically change his frequency, depending on the degree of heating and the complexity of the problem currently being solved. Therefore, the clock frequency was fixed in the Core 2 Extreme QX9770. The characteristics of the chip indicated that in the normal mode the frequency multiplier is 8, and the system bus frequency is 400 MHz. Multiplying these two numbers among ourselves, we get 3200 MHz - this is the CPU clock speed according to the passport. His multiplier was unlocked.
If you have a power supply with a power reserve and a high-quality cooling system, the multiplier value can be set to 10. This allowed us to get a CPU frequency of 4 GHz due to overclocking and a 15% performance increase according to the test results. All this in total did not leave the slightest chance to competitors of this product. This is truly the best central processor that you could buy in 2008.
Thermal pack
Thermal package in Intel Core 2 Extreme Processor QX9770 was equal to 136 watts. Against the backdrop of modern flagship solutions with an indicator of less than 100 watts, this value really looks very overpriced. But at that time, something better was not to be expected from the chip produced by the most advanced technological process at that time. The maximum temperature for this silicon crystal was 55 0 . In reality, this value was in the range from 30 0 to 52 0 . In any case, for its stable and reliable operation, as well as to ensure reliable heat removal, such a PC was required equip with a high-quality cooling system.
Prices, owner reviews
The key drawback in the Core 2 Extreme QX9770 was its cost. The manufacturer himself advised him to buy for $ 1,000, but on the domestic market at the start of sales, this value was increased by 1.5 times, and in reality, such a chip could be purchased at best for $ 1,500. This is a rather high cost for a computer component, which is very out of date in 2-3 years. Therefore, the question of the appropriateness of its purchase is better left open. The rest of this CPU could boast of excellent energy efficiency, and phenomenal performance, and good overclocking potential. Therefore, from the position of technical parameters, this processor did not cause any complaints.
Summary
The flagship processor for its time was the Core 2 Extreme QX9770. He easily outperformed any competitor in terms of performance. Its only minus, as noted earlier, is its high cost. But the problem here was the lack of competition in the segment of the most productive solutions. AMD at that time in the development of the CPU lagged and could not offer a decent alternative. Therefore, Intel already at its discretion set the price of its products, which were really sky-high.