The main difference between the new Extreme Edition and its processor is 266 MHz of additional clock speed.

CNET, Hexus.net, TechReport and THG take a look at the Intel's Pentium Extreme Edition 965 processor that's clocks in at 3.73GHz. The new Extreme Edition, which won't be available in channels until the first week of April, is Intel's latest device produced with its 65-nm process and is based on its double-core (code-named Presler) design.

CNET: We always appreciate more processing power, but considering what you need to do to build a system with the Pentium Extreme Edition 965 chip, we're not sure it's worth it. For one, it requires a motherboard with Intel's 975X chipset, which starts at $200. You can find Athlon 64 FX-60-compatible motherboards for half that. Further, Intel recommends a 600-watt power supply for the Extreme Edition 965. We've seen that requirement apply to high-end, dual-graphics card setups, and we expect that power requirements are only going to get higher for high-end graphics and gaming systems. This is the first time, however, we've seen a minimum power-supply recommendation applied simply because of a CPU. For the record, we tested with a 550-watt power-supply unit, so the 600-watt supply is only a recommendation; but either way, it's apparent that Intel is driving this chip hard, to the point where it might require extra aggravation and expense to upgrade your system.

Hexus.net: The underlying architecture is especially impressive in multi-threaded apps that focus on media processing and software-based 3D tasks. The same architecture falls short in FPU- and gaming-related apps., but that is the nature of the Prescott-derived beast, isn't it? Nothing much can be done until a new core is unveiled. As is Intel's regular strategy, the '965 will effectively banish the '955 to obscurity. L700, the asking price for this CPU, is directly in line with AMD's Athlon 64 FX-60. Both CPUs vye for the same kind of consumer, the one who needs cutting-edge components in their machine at all times. Price, really, is a secondary issue. Intel knows that it will sell only a few Extreme Edition CPUs. Rather, they're released to promote high-end performance that's available from a certain core, with lower models in the 900-series range making up the bulk of dual-core sales.

THG: However, the Pentium Extreme Edition 965 is a very fast processor, and it comes even closer to catching up to AMD devices. But even when the Intel CPU is overclocked at 4.26 GHz, the dualcore Athlon 64 FX processors still offer better results for most applications. Sure, the new Extreme Edition CPU is competitive, but it does not outperform the Athlon 64 FX-60, even at 3.73 GHz.

TechReport:  This CPU is still no match for the Athlon 64 FX-60-or even the Athlon 64 X2 4800+-when running at its default 3.73GHz clock speed. But this puppy is a powerful reminder of the benefits better process technology can bring. For its mission in life as a thousand-dollar play-toy that will serve as the centerpiece of an ultra-high-end PC, likely with exotic cooling and extensive overclocking, the Extreme Edition 965 is a startlingly worthy rival to the Athlon 64 FX-60.

I have to say that it escapes my understanding why one would choose this CPU rather than wait for Conroe. Likewise, I don't understand why Intel would bother with this release. I wouldn't buy anything at the top end at this point, until Conroe is released.