Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 offers superb performance–both for gaming and for office work. The Q9550 has four cores each of which runs at 2.83 GHz and a total of 12MB L2 cache. This gives the processor immense processing capability.
The quad cores of the Q9550 give true multi-tasking and multi-threading. Each task or thread is allocated a core and so cores and clock cycles are not shared between tasks. This features makes the Q9550 an ideal processor for building a home entertainment computer or a high-configuration gaming rig. Intel has incorporated a new technology known as “Digital Media Boost” into the processor which makes it possible for one core to handle the operating system, the second core to download a file from the Internet, the third core to play a high-definition DVD file and the fourth to run some other demanding application. Because of this technology each application runs very smoothly without any lags or stutters.
The Q9550 is manufactured using 45nm technology. Additionally, it also comes with Intel HD Boost which implements new Intel Streaming SIMD Extension 4.1 (Intel SSE 4.1). This enables the processor to perform high definition video encoding and editing and provide a complete multimedia experience.
Highlights/Features of the Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550:
==> Quad-core processor: The Q9550 provides four-fold performance for running processor-intensive applications such as high-end games.
==> Intel Advanced Smart cache: This technology allocates the L2 cache to each core based on the load. This improves performance by reducing latency and ensuring that the processor gets access to the L2 cache as and when required.
==> Intel Wide Dynamic Execution: This allows each core to complete an instruction independent of other cores. This reduces execution speed and improves the overall efficiency of the processor.
==> Execute Disable Bit (EDB): This enables the processor to detect and prevent malicious code. EDB makes it possible to restrict code execution in certain buffers. Thus malicious code is blocked, preventing damage to your system.
==> Intel Virtualization Technology (Intel VT): This enables the user to run multiple operating-systems by using virtualization software. Intel VT ensures the smooth functioning of multiple virtual platforms. This feature is very beneficial in office settings.