Intel's quad-core chip powerful but pricey

Only the most demanding PC users will be able to keep Intel's new quad-core processor satisfied, according to several reviews released Thursday.

Intel's first attempt at putting four processing cores into a PC delivers an awful lot of performance, but it underscores the need for software developers to create more multithreaded applications, reviewers said. In terms of raw performance, the Core 2 Extreme QX6700 blows away any other chip available from Intel or Advanced Micro Devices, but when it comes to several applications, the four-core chip isn't any better than its dual-core siblings.
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