Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6850

Please keep in mind that we are looking at total system power consumption here at the electrical outlet, not just the power being drawn by the processors alone.  In this test, we're showing you a ramp-up of power from idle on the desktop to 100% processor load.  We tested with a combination of Cinebench 9.5 and SANDRA XI running on the CPU.

We also should remind you that our QX6850 and E6750 power consumption readings were taken on an Asus P5K3 motherboard, versus the scores taken on the 975X-based board for the other Intel processors in the test.  Specifically, the P35-based Asus P5K3 motherboard we used to test the QX6850, is loaded with extra peripherals, bells and whistles; so natually total system power consumption is going to be higher for both of these data points.

A more interesting variance we'd like to call your attention to rather, is the difference between idle system power consumption and full-load system power consumption.  Specifically, we see the Core 2 Extreme QX6850 ramp up an increase in power consumption on the order of 102 Watts under full load.  Conversely, the Core 2 Extreme QX6800 ramps up 108 Watts over its idle power consumption.  In short, the new stepping and manufacturing process optimizations that Intel has brought to the Core 2 quad-core architecture over the last few months, has brought forth tangible power consumption reduction as well, even with a higher FSB speed driving the chip.