Most of today’s computing processors we use are Intel processors. Aimed at marketing high-end processors for PC enthusiasts, the prices of these high-end Intel Extreme Edition (EE) processors are quite unreasonable for most applications we use today. As such, most end users turn towards AMD’s high-end Athlon 64 x2 as alternative choice.

Back in the tug-of-war, Intel officially released the Pentium Extreme Edition (EE) 955 chip (Intel Presler) to replace the previous version of Pentium Extreme Edition (EE) 840. The former is a dual-core CPU design with a clock speed of 3.46GHz, compared to the latter’s 3.2GHz clock speed.

In addition, Intel Pentium EE 955 has its Level 2 (L2) cache memory doubled from 2MB to 4MB, with an improvement of Front Side Bus (FSB) from 800MHz to 1066MHz. Like most high-end processors, Intel Pentium EE 955 features Hyperthreading technology, allowing the CPU to run four separate threads in parallel concurrently. Besides, Intel’s new virtualization technology, and the 64-bit EMT64 extensions are supported in this new chip. Approximately, 376 million transistors were embedded in the CPU core, while operating between 1.2 and 1.33 volts. A power rating of 130W is required to power the CPU. With nanotechnology involved, the chip is manufactured based on 65-nanometer process, instead of the current industrial standard of 90nm, making it a highly dense chip to-date.

During the preliminary benchmark tests performed by a tester, the Pentium Extreme Edition 955 beat AMD in synthetic benchmarks, 3D rendering tests, and audio encoding tests. However, the Athlon 64 X2 4800+ still won out in most of the gaming benchmarks, content creation test, and video encoding tests.

Specifications & Features:

• 3.46GHz Dual Core Processor
• 1066MHz “Quad-Pumped” frontside bus
• .065-micron manufacturing process
• Hyper-Threading Technology
• 4MB on-chip, full-speed L2 cache - 2MB for each core
• Intel EM64T Extensions - 64-bit computing
• Execute Disable Bit - For enhanced security
• Streaming SIMD Extensions - SSE2, SSE3
• Supported by the Intel i975X Express chipset
• LGA775 Packaging - Land Grid Array

According to Intel, it says that the Intel Pentium Extreme Edition (EE) 955 will be available on January 16, 2006, for US$999. This is expected to coincide with a massive new massive new marketing effort which may include a replacement for the familiar “Intel Inside” jingle and logo.