Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 socket: LGA 775

What the Core 2 Duo E6850 is

The Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 is a 3.0 GHz dual core from July 2007. It runs two Core cores at 3.0 GHz with no turbo, so 2 cores give 2 threads. Cache is 4 MB of shared L2 on a 65 nm process. Power is rated at 65 W on LGA 775.

The E6850 tops the Conroe desktop line in stepping G0 with a 9x multiplier on a 1333 MT/s bus. It exists because Intel wanted a 3.0 GHz dual core at launch of the faster bus for buyers who needed top dual-threaded speed before Wolfdale arrived.

Socket and motherboard compatibility

The E6850 drops into LGA 775 boards with DDR2 or DDR3 memory and a BIOS that lists mid-2007 1333 MT/s Conroe parts, such as P35 and X38 boards. Older 945 boards without 1333 MT/s support cannot take it. The Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works guide covers pairing rules.

Memory, PCIe and cooling

Memory is DDR2 or DDR3 through the board chipset in two channels.

A 1333 MT/s front side bus ties the CPU to the chipset. PCIe slots hang off the chipset.

Cooling is any 65 W rated LGA 775 heatsink on the 72.5 × 72.5 mm mount, with Enhanced SpeedStep trimming draw at idle.

Upgrade paths

On LGA 775 the E6850 is the Conroe ceiling, so the moves are the Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 at 2.667 GHz for a cheaper 1333 MT/s part, or Wolfdale dual cores such as the Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 at 3.0 GHz and 65 W. Beyond LGA 775 a move to a newer platform needs a new board and memory.