For instance, here's a i7-760 (2.8Ghz nehalem, 4 core, 4 threads) outperforming a q9400 (2.66Ghz, 4 cores, 4 threads) by over 1.5x in a game (Starcraft 2). Well I'm not really sure Daveros' numbers are correct. Back when any gains in power efficiency due to lower process node would be used instead to boost per clock efficiency or ease of hitting higher core clocks. A combination that was almost unheard of prior to Intel hitting the power wall with the P4.
It's a moderate increase in power efficiency from Lynnfield which was better than Bloomfield and Nehalem, and quite a LOT better than Kentsfield (Core 2 Quad) and even Yorkfield (Core 2 Quad). When you also consider that the increased per clock efficiency increase is also accompanied by increased power efficiency, I'd say overall the progress has been quite impressive. There's been a few times where a newer faster line of CPU's had lower per clock efficiency than the CPU they replaced (P3 -> P4 for example). If we're just talking per clock efficiency, well that's a lot harder to extract.
If you want faster "official" clockspeeds, then start crossing your fingers that AMD can release something that will prompt Intel to officially raise clocks. Just an unfortunately consequence of potential lawsuits and increased governement oversight if they were to become more of a monopoly. Enthusiasts being a much smaller part of the market that shouldn't endanger AMD too much in the sub 200 USD market. Hence, we now have multiplier unlocked CPUs in the 200+ USD. So, there's currently absolutely no benefit and actually a lot of negatives for Intel in "officially" increasing clockspeeds. Especially if there's a danger they may put too much pressure on their competitor causing them to drop significantly and rapidly in marketshare thus moving them into more of a monopoly position. But with little competition there isn't a reason to do so. Afterall I doubt there's any SB CPU that can't hit 4 ghz reliably even with turbo, but the limit for the top SKU is 3.4 ghz.
Well, it's obvious Intel could increase clockspeed if they wanted.
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