Intel Core i7 870 and Core i5 750 CPUs Motherboard
September 9, 2009 | Computer, Hardware, Peripheral | 1 CommentIntel has been sitting pretty as the producer of the fastest processors in the world since its launch Core 2 back in mid 2006. No matter what AMD has to catch up, Intel has always been at the front, allowing AMD to compete on value alone. This is no less true when Intel launched its Core i7 900 (Bloomfield) processors Last November (Blimey, almost a year now) and opened the performance gap even further. However, this time, Intel made that could be interpreted as some errors.
To begin with, these new CPUs use a new socket so need a new motherboard. In itself, this was not too big of a deal that from time to time such changes are necessary. However, the X58 chipset that such advice was based on very expensive if combined with a minimum of 200 pounds for the processors themselves, it made for an upgrade very expensive. Add in the fact that the vast majority of people simply did not need powerful hardware and we found these little reason to recommend really invest in this platform, especially since AMD has a solution much more affordable and making smooth level.Of course, this was not really a major problem for Intel because it could rely on its Penryn generation of Core 2 processors that were still strong in the market value and the general public. However, we knew that this platform with his last lap for no more CPU would be released for it, so again left a space for AMD to compete easily.
But if Intel has finally launched new processors based on the architectural enhancements present in Core i7 900, but with some changes that bring the cost of chips to a more reasonable level. Perhaps more importantly, these processors will be accompanied by a new chipset that is configured for a cost substantially less than X58, making the overall system cost lower. So if you wait to upgrade your system in difficulty Core 2 Duo and have not been debauched by AMD or could not stomach forking to £ 350 just for one processor and motherboard then this seems to be the platform for you.
These new CPUs, collectively codenamed Lynnfield, is placed under the Core i7 800 and Core i5 700 brand names while the chipset is to be known as P55. Specifically, Today sees the launch of three new CPUs, Core i7 870, Core i7 860 and Core i5 750 and they will have a nominal rated speed of 2.93 GHz, 2.8 GHz and 2.66 GHz respectively. Its price will probably fluctuate considerably over the next two months, but prices for the formal launch is £ 339, £ 174 and £ 122 (converted directly from prices in U.S. dollars). Unfortunately, current prices in the United Kingdom are quite a bit higher at 439 pounds, 226 pounds and 159 pounds. Ultimately, it is not exactly bargain prices in the basement but they are a damn sight more affordable than fleas Bloomfield. The Core i5 750, in particular, seems to be a flight, if it overclocks reasonably well.
As for the price to the motherboard, well, they are not quite as cheap as we expected them to be. We talked to a number of manufacturers and it seems that models the lowest price will be around £ 100 while the premium brand models will carry 200 pounds. The prices are still much more competitive than the X58 boards, which began at £ 150 and was well past 300 pounds, but if you were hoping for an ultra-budget model then you’ll have to wait for prices to drop.So that’s the general picture, but before we get to test and draw conclusions, let’s look at some of the changes in technology, Intel has done with Lynnfield. [via trustedreviews]
