Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6800 vs AMD Athlon 64 3500+ EE

Comparative analysis of Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6800 and AMD Athlon 64 3500+ EE processors for all known characteristics in the following categories: Essentials, Performance, Memory, Compatibility, Security & Reliability, Advanced Technologies, Virtualization.

Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6800

AMD Athlon 64 3500+ EE

Differences

Reasons to consider the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6800

CPU is newer: launch date 2 month(s) later
Processor is unlocked, an unlocked multiplier allows for easier overclocking
3 more cores, run more applications at once: 4 vs 1
Around 33% higher clock speed: 2.93 GHz vs 2.2 GHz
A newer manufacturing process allows for a more powerful, yet cooler running processor: 65 nm vs 90 nm
2x more L1 cache, more data can be stored in the L1 cache for quick access later
16x more L2 cache, more data can be stored in the L2 cache for quick access later

Launch date	April 2007 vs February 2007
Unlocked	Unlocked vs Locked
Number of cores	4 vs 1
Maximum frequency	2.93 GHz vs 2.2 GHz
Manufacturing process technology	65 nm vs 90 nm
L1 cache	256 KB vs 128 KB
L2 cache	8192 KB vs 512 KB

Reasons to consider the AMD Athlon 64 3500+ EE

3.7x lower typical power consumption: 35 Watt vs 130 Watt

Thermal Design Power (TDP)	35 Watt vs 130 Watt

Compare specifications (specs)

	Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6800	AMD Athlon 64 3500+ EE
Essentials
Architecture codename	Kentsfield	Orleans
Launch date	April 2007	February 2007
Place in performance rating	not rated	not rated
Processor Number	QX6800
Series	Legacy Intel® Core™ Processors
Status	Discontinued
Vertical segment	Desktop	Desktop
Performance
64 bit support
Base frequency	2.93 GHz
Bus Speed	1066 MHz FSB
Die size	286 mm2	183 mm
L1 cache	256 KB	128 KB
L2 cache	8192 KB	512 KB
Manufacturing process technology	65 nm	90 nm
Maximum core temperature	64.5°C
Maximum frequency	2.93 GHz	2.2 GHz
Number of cores	4	1
Transistor count	582 million	154 million
Unlocked
VID voltage range	0.8500V-1.500V
Memory
Supported memory types	DDR1, DDR2, DDR3
Compatibility
Low Halogen Options Available
Max number of CPUs in a configuration	1	1
Package Size	37.5mm x 37.5mm
Sockets supported	LGA775	AM2
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	130 Watt	35 Watt
Security & Reliability
Execute Disable Bit (EDB)
Intel® Trusted Execution technology (TXT)
Advanced Technologies
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® technology
FSB parity
Idle States
Intel 64
Intel® AES New Instructions
Intel® Demand Based Switching
Intel® Hyper-Threading technology
Intel® Turbo Boost technology
Thermal Monitoring
Virtualization
Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x)