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Intel launches new Core i5, Core i7 Processors
Thursday, 10 September 2009 12:37

106150_matterIntel was rumored to launch its 45nm processor codenamed Lynnfield Core i5 750 along with Nehalem architecture based Core i7 860 and 870 processors. Finally, Intel has officially launched first Core i5 processor that would be available today along with two new Core i7 processors. The new Intel Core i5 750 processor's retail packaging was spotted last month making it obvious that the chips were en route.

The new quad-core Intel Core i5 750 CPU is clocked at 2.66GHz with 8MB Intel Smart Cache and 1333MHz Front Side Bus. Intel Core i5 750 chip is overclockable up to 3.2GHz and comes with new Socket LGA 1156 that is compatible with the new Intel P55 Express chipset. Apart from that, the Core i5 also has 64-bit processing support and Thermal Design Power rating of 95Watts.

Essentially, Core i5 750 is a stripped down version of Core i7 900-series chips. Intel has removed the third memory channel from Nehalem Core i7 architecture and thereby stripped the HyperThreading capabilities. With HyperThreading, the number of processing threads can be increased depending on the workload and thus, threads could be added to the four cores. Also, Direct Media Interface would be replacing the QuickPath Interconnect.

The new 2.80GHz Core i7 860 and 2.93GHz Core i7 870 have four cores each and can support up to eight processing threads simultaneously. Just like Core i5 750 chip, both new Core i7 processors have TDP rating of 95watts.Both new Core i7 chips also have third memory channel disabled. So, both new Core i7 and Core i5 chips integrate two memory controllers along with 16-lane PCI-Express 2.0 graphics port. The P55 Express chipset supports 8 PCI Express 2.0 x1 Ports and dual graphics are supported in "2x8" configuration.

The new P55 Express Chipset certainly has some limitations over the existing X58 Express chipset. However, the motherboards based on P55 chipset would get only half graphics data bandwidth as compared to X58 chipset based motherboard. Like adding two 16x PCI express graphics cards on P55 chipset motherboard becomes two 8x slots but the full 16x PCI express performance can be obtained in case of single card.

Intel is offering Core i5 750 CPU at $196 (Rs. 9,400 approx.) per 1000 units, which is as much as AMD's 3.2GHz Phenom II X4 955 chip. Paired along with Intel P55 Express chipset based motherboard, consumers can expect highly overclockable and value combination of processor and motherboard. The Intel Core i7 860 is priced for $284 (Rs. 13,600 approx.) per 1000 units, while Core i7 870 is priced at $562 (Rs. 26,900 approx.).