how can this be?

Question

the intel core 2 exteme qx6800 is only 2.93 ghz and its top of the line
my pentium 4 is 3.00 ghz

i dont get it

Answer 1

Core2 Duo does more per clock cycle and at lower wattage. P4 is old technology- brute power with high clock speed and resulting high wattage. Too much HEAT for less work done, that is why Intel junked it. Here's the new Pentium - E2140/2160; low on Gigahertz but packs the Conroe punch.
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/pentium-e2160.html

Answer 2

The method of core 2 is different and much More efficient.
It's a processor with to cores, which increase the processor speed by 40% (on top of the 2.93ghz speed ofcourse)