Intel 3.5GHz Core 2 Duo E8700 Quietly Introduced

Intel has quietly updated its Core 2 Duo range with a new processor, offering higher performance than most of its other dual-core CPUs.  The 3.5GHz Core 2 Duo E8700 has 6MB of cache, a 1,333MHz front-side bus, and a 65W TDP, and is built using 45nm technology as with the other recent Wolfdale chips.

Given that similarity, it's been suggested that the E8700 could be a slightly overclocked version of the E8600.  According to the spec sheet, the processor supports virtualization, 64-bit architecture and Intel SpeedStep, but not Turbo Boost.

No pricing or availability for the new E8700 processor has been announced, and we're still awaiting a press release from Intel themselves.  It's not expected to be cheap, however; the E8600 it sits above currently retails for around $270.

[via The Tech Report]