Extreme Performance & Overclocking (Cont.)

Since it was so easy to overclock the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6700 processor using just the multiplier to add an extra 266MHz on top of the default clock speed, we just figured to give it another go and do the same once again. So we raised the multiplier by one instance which made our QX6700 run at 3.2GHz. Once again we just changed the multiplier, but all other settings like bus speed and voltage where left at default. The Core 2 Extreme series are just awesome to play with and to just take these to the next level. It also proves that these dual and quad core CPU's from Intel have quite some extra potential that could be unlocked when needed.

Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6900 - 3.2GHz

Yeah, we take it one step further with our overclocked Core 2 Extreme QX6700 set at 2.93GHz, and that means with a bus speed of 266MHz you need a multiplier of 12x to go above our first overclocking attempt. In essence that means when we go for a multiplier of 12x, we would get 3.20GHz and that would mean ending up with a Core 2 Extreme QX6900 processor, which is exactly what we have done. Just to clear, the same default core voltage of 1.35V was used, auto selected by the BIOS of the mainboard. We could as well have started to play with the bus speed itself, but when you have an unlocked multiplier CPU to play with it just seems a waste of time. Increasing the multiplier is just so easy and adds an extra 266MHz on top of our previous overclocking result.

SiSoftware Sandra 2007

SiSoftware Sandra (the System Analyzer, Diagnostic and Reporting Assistant) is an information and diagnostic utility. It should provide most of the information you need to know about your hardware, software and other devices whether hardware or software. Since our Core 2 Extreme QX6700 is now overclocked using a higher multiplier it will represent if we draw the Intel line further as a Core 2 Extreme X6900 running at 3.20GHz. So let's have a look on what that means in terms of performance and raw power processing.

Arithmetic Benchmark

Again, just as with our first attempt we are only smiling when using the Core 2 Extreme QX6700 quad core processor. Once again it shows outstanding performance and certainly with the QX6700 clocked at 3.2GHz you get more processing power for the same price. You have to hand it to Intel that their CPU's are of very high quality and each time allow these to be pushed to a higher level. Even when looking back in the past, Intel has quite a track record of being very overclock friendly and it almost seems they have that as a measurement for any upcoming processor. Certainly this is an awesome advantage, and we can only encourage Intel for this approach; a great added value for their processor lineup.

Multimedia Benchmark

Similar figures are reported when looking at the multimedia benchmark, with once again a boost in performance. A clear image that indicates how good these Core 2 Extreme processors are and what they are capable of in terms of processing. We can only conclude that this is only the first Core 2 Extreme quad core processor and that Intel might release a better one when they see a need for a faster version. Although it might just be only one, just like for the dual core versions where Intel only released the Core 2 Extreme X6800 CPU which is also multiplier unlocked and can be overclocked easily to 3.2GHz and above. And in that view it would be up to the owner to opt for a higher performance or not...