Overview of the 2010 Intel desktop CPUs

Latest intel® microprocessors are quite different in design and performance than their predecessors. Performance wise they are much better than the older Core 2 series. Due to differences in design they are not compatible with existing motherboards. Unlike earlier Core 2 series, intel confuses their customers with its branding strategy. E.g. earlier Core i7 processors have four separate cores and latest one has (Core i7 985) six separate cores, with no relationship to number seven.

Latest processors are

1. Core i3

2. Core i5

   a. Series 600

   b. Series 700

3. Core i7

   a. Series 800

   b. Series 900

4. Core i7 extreme

   a. 985

   b. 975

   c. 965

Performance is higher

in higher model no. e.g. Core i7 > Core i5, within core i5 model 700 >600. Core i7 985 microprocessor is the current fastest commercial desktop processor. It beats AMDs Phenome ii X6 processor by a clear margin. But AMD have higher performance to price value than intel processors.

*General features*

Latest Intel CPUs must be installed in motherboards with LGA 1156  and LGA 1366 sockets, unlike earlier LGA 775 socket used by Core 2 Duo and Pentium 4 processors. Memory controller is integrated to these processors, earlier it was part of the motherboard.  New CPUs support only DDR 3 memory.  Some processors in the current family have integrated Intel Graphics Processor unit or GPU. But these integrated GPUs are much slower than dedicated GPUs.

Instead of Front side bus in earlier processors, Core i3, Core i5 and Core i7 800 series processors have Direct Media Interface. Core i7 900 series has Quick path interface, which is much faster than above interfaces.

Other feature that is introduced to Core i5 and Core i7 lines is TurboBoost ®feature; this allows CPU to work dynamically in higher clock speed than the base speed in processor intensive tasks. Another feature that is included in Core i5 and Core i7 is Intel Enhanced Speed step technology®; this reduces power consumption of CPU during less demanding tasks.

*Intel Core i7 extreme 985*

This is the Intel’s flagship model with six physical cores and twelve virtual processing cores. Each physical core is doubled by Hyperthreading ®technology to provide two virtual cores.  Price is 999 US$. Intel Core i7 extreme 975 and 965 are having four physical cores with eight virtual cores.

Core i7 900 (not extreme) series is next in the line. They have four physical cores with eight virtual cores. Only 900 series including extreme edition has Faster Quick path interface. All Core i7 CPUs have TurboBoost ® and Intel enhanced Speed step technology®.

*Intel Core i5*

This is the next processor in term of performance. Core i5 600 series have two physical and four virtual cores. Core i5 700 series have four physical cores with Hyperthreading disabled, so no virtual cores present. All Core i5 have TurboBoost ® and Intel enhanced Speed step technology®. All CPUs in this line except Core i5 700 series have Intel integrated GPU.

*Intel Core i3*

This is the intel budget CPU line. Only two Physical cores with four Virtual cores are present. TurboBoost ® and Intel enhanced Speed step technology® is not present in all Core i3 CPUs. Intel Core i3 is performance wise similar to older Core 2 Duo E8400 processor. All Core i3 processors have Graphics processor built in.