Intel Core2 Duo E4300, the next Core 2 Duo processor to be released is now scheduled on 21 Jan 2007. Its market is set to value, such that it has 800 MHz FSB only, though, according to the report from manufacturers, most of their mother board could able to overclock the processor to 1066 MHz FSB without any change to voltage.

Intel Core 2 Duo E4300 is the first native 2MB L2 Conroe at L2 Stepping. The processor is running at 1.8GHz, 800MHz FSB and 9X multiplier. Without adding voltage, 1066MHz FSB is mostly achieved and runs really stable. At 1066 MHz FSB, the clock speed is further enhanced to 2.4GHz. Compared with Core 2 Duo E6400 (2.13GHz/2MB L2/1066MHz FSB), this can provide a 10-15% higher performance, but the price is much cheaper, say Core 2 Duo E4300 @ $163 vs Core 2 Duo E6300 @ $183.

When Core 2 Duo E4300 is launched, Pentium D 945 (3.4GHz/2MB x 2/800MHz FSB) @ $163 will fade out and its market is replaced by Pentium D 935 (3.2GHz/2MB x 2/800MHz FSB) @ $133.

In addition, processors including Pentium D925/915/820 also will experience a price slip again at the same day where Core 2 Duo E4300 is launched. The price is adjusted from $133, $113, and $93 to $113, $93, and $84 respectively. Further, Pentium D 820 will be cut from the market in Feb 2007, and Pentium D 915 will have one more slip to $84.

Report from HKEPC