We have all watched as Intel and now AMD bring out dual-core, single-die processors for the general consumer market. We have all marveled at the idea of having up to four process threads with the aid of hyper threading and have a system that acts like we have two processors. Thanks to dual-core CPUs, this idea is a reality which is only a wad of money away. Intel's first such CPU is dubbed the Intel 840 and it sports 2MB L2 cache, 800MHz FSB, EM64T support, Execute disable bit, and of course two execution cores.

The top of this CPU, like every Intel CPU looks the same, but on the bottom, there is a fairly noticeable difference between this processor and other Intel XE and 500/600 series processors. The variety of micro-electronic components on the bottom of the chip is quite different from any other and appears much more organized than the other CPUs I have looked at.

Table of Contents
Page 1: Introduction / Taking a closer look at the Intel 840
Page 2: Taking a closer look at the Intel 840 (cont'd) / Side-by-Side Comparison
Page 3: Side-by-Side Comparison (cont'd) / Temperature Benchmarks / Test System Specifications / SiSoft Sandra Results
Page 4: SiSoft Sandra Results (cont'd)
Page 5: ScienceMark Results
Page 6: PCMark 2004 Results / Concluding Remarks

Taking a closer look at the Intel 840
So what are the basic technical specifications of the 840 and what new technology does this CPU bring to the table? I hope to answer that in this next section.

Processor Specifications
Speed: 3.20GHz
Manufacturing Process: 90nm
Socket: LGA775
Bus Speed: 800MHz
L1 Cache: 16KB
L1 Trace Cache: 12-K micro-ops
L2 Cache: 2x 1MB
L3 Cache: n/a
Core Voltage: 1.250V-1.400V (voltage deviation not included)
Bus/Core Ratio (Clock Multiplier): 16

New and old technologies present in the Intel 840
For almost a year now, Intel has introduced a hot new technology with each processor line release and they don't disappoint with the 800 series. While there is only one new technology present in the 800 series over the 600 series, it is significant.

Dual Execution Core Structure
Intel dual-core products like the Intel Pentium processor Extreme Edition are well suited for multitasking environments because there are two complete execution cores instead of one, each with an independent interface to the front-side bus. The dual-core Intel Pentium processor Extreme Edition offers 1MB to each core exclusively, delivering the resources of two full processing cores, giving you the new capability to accomplish performance-intensive tasks on your PC.

EM64T (Extended Memory 64 Technology)
Intel?Extended Memory 64 Technology (EM64T) delivers the flexibility for operating systems and future software that support 64-bit computing. Intel processors with EM64T also bring the responsiveness of Hyper-Threading Technology into the 64-bit computing environment.

• As with any new technology, the emerging desktop platform 64-bit software ecosystem is expected to lag behind hardware readiness.
• Not all available 64-bit compilers are properly configured to take advantage of Intel Technology.

EM64T currently works and was tested with Windows XP Professional x64 Edition in the We labs.