Intel Core 2 Duo T9900 vs Intel Core i7-2960XM
Intel Core 2 Duo T9900
► remove from comparison![Intel T9900](typo3temp/_processed_/4/2/csm_img_1614_intel-core2-duo_02_2b002cb714.jpg)
The Intel Core 2 Duo T9900 is the theoretical successor of the Core 2 Extreme X9100 (which also clocks at 3.06 GHz) that uses less power due to the modern stepping and the Enhanced Halt State (C1E). The only advantage of the X9100 is the free multiplikator (which allows easy overclocking of the CPU).
The T9900 is a fast dual core CPU for laptops which features 6 MB of shared level 2 cache and a TDP of 35 Watt. Due to the high clock speed, modern games (in 2009) should not be limited by the CPU speed. For single threaded applications it is one of the fastest CPUs for laptops (only beaten by the new Core i7 with enabled Turbo mode).
The T9900 uses a Penryn (Montevina Update) core that features 2 integer units, 1 floating point unit, 1 load unit, and 1 store unit in a 14-stages long pipeline. Due to the Wide Dynamic Execution Technology, the core is able to simultaneously execute up to four instructions.
The integrated Enhanced Speedstep is able to downclock the core dynamically as low as 800 MHz to save power (in idle mode).
The Core 2 Duo T9900 can be used in a Socket P socket with 479 pins: Socket P / Micro Flip-Chip Pin Grid Array (Micro-FCPGA) requires 479-pin surface mount Zero Insertion Force (ZIF) socket (mPGA479M socket) or Micro Flip-Chip Ball Grid Array (Micro-FCBGA) for surface mount (479-ball).
Intel Core i7-2960XM
► remove from comparison![Intel 2960XM](typo3temp/_processed_/3/3/csm_ci7x_d_rgb_3000_01_f50ee61715.png)
The Intel Core i7-2960XM is the fastest quad-core processor for laptops in Q3-2011 and successor to the Core i7-2920XM. Due to the Extreme Edition branding, the CPU should be easy to overclock (unlocked multiplicator). It is based on the Sandy Bridge architecture and offers Hyperthreading to handle 8 threads at once (for a better usage of the pipeline). Compared to the previous Clarksdale quad-cores, the i7-2960XM is now manufactured in 32nm, offers an integrated graphics card and AES functions. Compared to the slower clocked 2860QM, the 2960XM is specified with a higher TDP.
Sandy Bridge is the evolutionary successor of the Arrandale architecture. The most noteable improvements are the new 265Bit AVX instructions, the improved Turbo Boost and the integration of the graphics card into the 32nm CPU core. Furthermore, the integrated memory controller was improved and supports up to 8 GB DDR3-1333.
The Core i7-2960XM offers an integrated graphics card (Intel HD Graphics 3000) which proved to be clearly faster than the old Intel HD Graphics in the Arrandale CPUs and on a level with entry level dedicated graphics cards like the GeForce 310M. The HD Graphics 3000 also supports Turbo Boost and clocks between 650 MHz and 1300 MHz in the i7-2920XM (therefore it should be similar or faster in the 2960XM). As the graphics card shares the fast last level cache, the processor is a bit slower with activated GPU.
Due to the high Turbo Boost, large L3 Cache, and Hyperthreading, the performance of the Core i7-2960XM is only slightly lower than the desktop Core i7-2600K. In 2011 it is the fastest mobile processors for laptops. Therefore, the performance should be sufficient for even the most demanding tasks like HD video editing or demanding 3D games.
The high TDP rating of the 2960XM enables the usage of the quad core only in large and heavy laptops (usually 15" and up). Compared to the previous generation (Clarkdale, e.g. Core i7-940XM) of quad-cores, however, the TDP improved, as the integrated GPU is now included.
Model | Intel Core 2 Duo T9900 | Intel Core i7-2960XM | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Series | Intel Core 2 Duo | Intel Core i7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Codename | Penryn | Sandy Bridge | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Series: Core i7 Sandy Bridge |
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Clock | 3060 MHz | 2700 - 3700 MHz | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
FSB | 1066 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
L1 Cache | 128 KB | 256 KB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
L2 Cache | 6 MB | 1 MB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 4 / 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
TDP | 35 Watt | 55 Watt | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Transistors | 410 Million | 995 Million | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Technology | 45 nm, 1.05-1.2125 V | 32 nm | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Die Size | 107 mm2 | 216 mm2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
max. Temp. | 105 °C | 100 °C | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Socket | Socket P (BGA479, PGA478) | FCPGA988 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Features | SSE4.1, Virtualization Technology, Execute Disable Bit, Enhanced Speedstep, Ehnaced Halt State (C1E), 64 Bit, Trusted Execution Technology | HD Graphics 3000, DDR-1333 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, Quick Sync, Virtualization | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Architecture | x86 | x86 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
$530 U.S. | $1096 U.S. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Announced | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Manufacturer | ark.intel.com | ark.intel.com | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
L3 Cache | 8 MB | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
iGPU | Intel HD Graphics 3000 (650 - 1300 MHz) |