 Intel’s Q9450 Processor is one of Intel’s fastest and most recent Quad Core Processors.  Intel have introduced many new factors into this processor to meet the demand for faster processors but also the requirement of lower energy costs and environmental safety.

 The Q9450 is based on the latest 45nm manufacturing process. This significantly increases the price of the product, however, it answers consumer and business calls to develop fast, multi-core processors with lower power ratings.

 45nm has allowed Intel's processors to perform faster than previous 65nm CPU’s but also consumes 10-15W less power than the previous range ( Williams April 2008 p12).  Because of the lower power consumption, °C less heat is produced from the processor (Williams April 2008 p12), this has allowed intel to supply a much smaller cooler with the Q9450 that is around half the height of the coolers shipped with previous intel processors. This results in lower production costs due to less metal used and lower shipping costs due to smaller packaging and less weight.

 On 23 rd May 2007, Intel announced that it would make all future microprocessors using lead free solder. Lead is extremely harmful to the environment and lead free solder is a requirement for RoHS compliancy The first processors to use this lead free solder was the 45nm range of which the Q9450 is a part. The lead alternatives are expensive. Intel uses a tin/silver/copper alloy and this is also a reason for a price increase in the Q9450. (intel, 2007) and (Ferret, May 2008)

 As a result of the use of 45nm manufacturing process, lead free solder and Hi-K gate dielectric, the Q9450 pricing is pitched at almost double that of its 65nm predecessor, the Q6600. Currently the retail price of a Q9450 is around $350 (NexTag, Nov 2008), against the $200 retail price of a Q6600 (NexTag, Nov 2008).

 Intel have spent a significant amount of time and money so that the Q9450 can meet current environmental and consumer requirements.  Intel’s use of the 45nm process has had quite an impact on the pricing of the q9450 however its low power consumption has made it far more appealing to customers offering a potentially high energy saving for PC usage.  The use of lead free solder in the Q9450 has also given a price increase to the processor, however it intel has gained RoHS Compliancy and made its products much more environmentally friendly and easier to recycle.

 Williams, Rob (2008, 29 April p12) Intel Core 2 Quad Q GHz, TechGage.com retrived November 30 th 2008, from hz/12 hz/12  Intel (2007) ROHS / Lead (Pb) Free Solutions, Intel.com retrieved 28 th November 2008 from,  Ferret ( May) Intel eliminates use of lead from future microprocessors, ferret.com.au retrieved November 30 th 2008 from, of-lead-from-future-microprocessors-n672462http:// of-lead-from-future-microprocessors-n  NexTag (2008 November) Intel Core 2 Quad Q GHZ QUAD-CORE Processor, nextag.com Retrieved November 29 th 2008 from, /prices-htmlhttp:// /prices-html  NexTag (2008 November) Intel Core 2 Quad Q GHZ Processor, nextag.com Retrieved November 29 th 2008 from, /prices-html /prices-html