To come with Intel's first batch of 45nm desktop CPUs early into the new year is the replacement chip for the very popular Q6600, Intel's entry-level quad core part.

Known as the Core 2 Quad Q9300, this processor will come clocked in at 2.5GHz (100MHz faster than the Q6600) but will carry only half the L2 cache (6MB).

On the upside, being a 45nm Penryn chip it's going to run a lot cooler and with a lot more overclocking headroom to boot; potentially making it the new chip of choice for many enthusiasts.

A lucky chap going by the name of Coolaler has been provided with a multitude of upcoming quad core Intel chips to play with, one of them being the aforementioned Q9300. He's kindly given us all a taste of what this new chip's capable of by overclocking it to 3.7GHz (495x7.5) and performing some benchmarks.

You can find the full thread with details and pics here.