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The Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6700 chip is available for the first time today. We've reviewed three PCs--from Dell, Gateway, and Polywell--that feature Intel's first quad-core desktop CPU. We're including Apple's Mac Pro in the discussion since it also boasts four processing cores by way of its two dual-core Intel Xeon chips.
So, which quad-core system is the fastest we've seen thus far? Gateway's FX530XL posted the best application scores on the whole, thanks to its over-clocked CPU. For its part, the Mac Pro took top honors with iTunes--which is not surprising given that the app was written for the Mac OS.
Gamers will like the scores they see from the Dell and Polywell systems. The Dell XPS 710 uses a Quad SLI setup for supreme frame rates, but by the time Polywell submitted its system, it was able to include Nvidia's new Nforce 680 SLI chipset and next-generation GeForce 8800 GTX graphics cards. The Polywell PC turned in stellar framerates on games like F.E.A.R and Quake 4, while also providing a better platform for the games we'll see next year.
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| Product | Apple Mac Pro Dual-Core Xeon 5150 2.66 GHz |
| Price | $1,126.49 |
| CNET editors' rating | 4 stars |
| Average user rating | 3.5 stars |
| Release date | August 7, 2006 |
| Bottom line | Apple's
Mac Pro has design innovations that we hope will cross over to other systems. Its performance is as strong as you'd expect for a system in its class, and it's priced right, too. You might need more flexibility in your config options, especially for 3D design, but otherwise, the Mac Pro is as solid a professional-class PC as we've seen. |
| Product Description | Mac Pro Apple Mac Pro - Xeon 5150 2.66 GHz - Monitor : none. |
| Packaged Quantity | 1 |
| Type | Personal computer |
| Product Form Factor | Tower |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 8.1 in x 18.7 in x 20.1 in |
| Weight | 42.3 lbs |
| Processor | 2 x Intel Xeon 5150 / 2.66 GHz ( Dual-Core ) |
| Cache Memory | 8 MB L2 cache |
| RAM | 1 GB 16 GB (max) - DDR2 SDRAM - ECC - 667 MHz |
| Storage Controller | Serial ATA ( Serial ATA-300 ) |
| Hard Drive | 1 x HDD 250 GB - Serial ATA-300 - Serial ATA |
| Optical Storage | DVD±RW (+R DL) |
| Optical Storage (2nd) | None |
| Monitor | none. |
| Storage Removable | None |
| Graphics Controller | NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT PCI Express x16 |
| Video Memory | 256 MB DDR2 SDRAM |
| Audio Output | Integrated |
| Networking | Fast Ethernet Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet |
| Operating System | Apple MacOS X 10.5 |
| Full specifications | Full specifications |
| Buying choices |
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