Intel to Accelerate Core i7
Although prior Intel roadmaps did not mention Core i7 processors faster than the existing 3.2-GHz 965 Extreme Edition, the chip maker finally decided to introduce two faster models in the second quarter of this year.
Core i7 at 3.33 GHz Coming
Core i7-975 Extreme will be the company's flagship desktop processor for the upcoming months, delivering slightly increased performance thanks to a clock speed of 3.33 GHz. This equals a 4.2% clock speed increase when compared to the existing 3.2 GHz model. It is probably not really worth it, as we expect the price of this premium product to remain at $999.
However, the regular Core i7 product line will also receive a speed bump. The Core i7-950 will close the gap between the 2.93 GHz Core i7-940 processor and the Core i7-965 Extreme edition, providing a 3.06 GHz clock speed. All of the mentioned Core i7 processors are based on Intel's Nehalem architecture that is manufactured using the mature 45-nm process. They all require the X58 chipset and socket LGA1366, and they all come with 256 KB L2 cache per core and an additional, shared 8 MB L3 cache. No changes have been made to the power ratings, as all Core i7 processors remain at a TDP of 130 W, although the entry level models certainly stay well below that.
Havendale is History, Clarkdale Coming Up On Time
The latest Intel roadmap also says that the firm is on track to ship first 32-nm CPUs in the fourth quarter of 2009, which it says will be Clarkdale processors with integrated graphics. Havendale, which should have been the first product with integrated graphics, disappeared. Apparently, the Clarkdale multi chip package will consist of the 32-nm CPU paired with a 45-nm graphics unit. Clarkdale will be drop-in compatible with the 45-nm Lynnfield processor - both require the new socket LGA1156 and one of the upcoming 5-series chipsets (P55, P57). These differ from the existing chipset families by being a two-chip solution, which has the potential to lower cost and increase energy efficiency.
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Patrick Schmid was the editor-in-chief for Tom's Hardware from 2005 to 2006. He wrote numerous articles on a wide range of hardware topics, including storage, CPUs, and system builds.
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Tindytim Let me get this straight...Reply
They make marginal clock speed increases, that could be achieved through Overclocking, and they expect this to be worth our time, much less, even more of our money?
I better be seeing some price cuts. -
computerninja7823 i agree tindytim. what a waste of time! i think intel should invest all that silicon in something better and more affordable.Reply -
Tindytim jkflipflop98Or what? You'll curl up in a ball and cry about it?No, I'll buy a cheaper model for a third of the price, OC it, then get the same performance.Reply
Like computerninja7823, I think they could be pursuing new technologies and implementations, rather than repackaging than same model, with a variance that could be easily achieved by anyone who actually wanted it. It seems like a large waste of resources. -
squatchman Have you been following CPUs very long?Reply
How many Quad and Dual core processors has Intel released in 100mhz increments over the last three years? I'm only surprised that they're releasing just two more. -
blackened144 TindytimLet me get this straight...They make marginal clock speed increases, that could be achieved through Overclocking, and they expect this to be worth our time, much less, even more of our money?I better be seeing some price cuts.Technically, since they are releasing these faster processors at the same prices as the previous models, you can consider that a price cut.Reply -
Tindytim squatchmanHave you been following CPUs very long? How many Quad and Dual core processors has Intel released in 100mhz increments over the last three years? I'm only surprised that they're releasing just two more.Sure, but there are usually other improvements. Lower TDPs, More Cache, something that the end user can't easily achieve.Reply -
dynasonic Let's break out the rulers and drop our trousers... that's the only way we can settle this semantic squabble.Reply -
jrivera04 They need to stop changing sockets!Reply
The 1366 should last at least as long as the 775.