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Guide to Intel® Desktop Processors for
Personal Computers
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Processor Micro-Architecture
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Details
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| Intel®
Core™ Second Generation and 3rd Generation Processors Microarchitecture (Sandy Bridge/Ivy Bridge) |
Intel®
Core™ Second Generation
Microarchitecture (code-named "Sandy Bridge") and
3rd Generation comprise the
latest iteration of the Intel Core microarchitecture. Coming to
market now are new 22nm
technology models with last year's socket (LGA 1155). High-end desktop versions, "Sandy
Bridge-E", with a higher
contact count socket (LGA 2011) are now available. 22nm models are code-named "Ivy Bridge" and will be offered with new PCs during May, 2012. "Ivy Bridge", among other improvements, features Intel TriGate Transistor technology for superior management of current leakage and thermal characteristics. With features such as Turbo Boost (v2.0) that self-overclocks all cores on demand, "Sandy Bridge" and "Ivy Bridge" customers can expect strong performance from mainstream PCs. Most "Sandy Bridge" and "Ivy Bridge" processors except for high-end "Sandy Bridge-E" include on-chip graphics. Models include Core i7-E3nnn, Core i7-2nnn, Core i5-3nnn and Core i5-2nnn, Core i3-2nnn, Pentium Gnnn and Celeron-branded dual-core and single-core desktop versions. |
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| Intel® Microarchitecture code-named Nehalem/Westmere | Intel®
Microarchitecture code-named "Nehalem/Westmere",
an extension of the original
Intel® Core™/Penryn Microarchitecture,
is the 2009/2010 processor family from Intel Corporation. Nehalem/Westmere desktop processor series include Intel® Core™i7 Extreme, Core i7, Core i5, Core i3, a very limited offering of Pentium™ G and OEM Celeron™ G models. All are multi-core processors. |
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| Intel® Core™/Penryn | The Intel® Core™/Penryn Microarchitecture, originally released in 2007, includes Intel Core 2 Extreme, Core 2 Quad, Core 2 Duo, Pentium® Dual Core, Celeron® Dual Core and derivative single core Intel Celeron processors. Most have been discontinued. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Intel® Atom™ | The
Intel® Atom™ Microarchitecture is a radical departure from
the past years of Intel products. Introduced in the summer of
2008, original Atom processors were based upon 45nm technology
with idle power consumption
measured in milliwatts. The latest models are made using 32nm
technology.
Thermal Design Power (TDP) is a fraction of what most
desktop processors dissipate. The lowest power and lowest performing Atom processors can operate without heatsinks, saving much weight and space in electronic products such as GPS systems, telephones, tablets and Ultra-Low-Cost PCs (ULCPCs). Intel Atom is only offered in mini-ITX format. |
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| About Product Discontinuance: |
Processors may remain in retail channels for weeks, months, or years. Some final steppings (versions) are relegated to OEM/tray production and may be found on the market with eMachines and other second and third tier brands long after discontinued by Acer, Dell and HP. A minority are transferred to the Intel Embedded Technology Division where they can be ordered for special markets for years to come. Product discontinuance references in this document are based upon published current production first and second tier vendor model offerings and/or upon factory distributor order cutoff for retail (non-OEM) processors. Final production and shipping schedules are not generally considered because those schedules are often months after Acer, Dell, and Hewlett-Packard have revised their product lines with newer products. |
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Legend LGAnnnn = Land Grid Array, a layout for CPU contacts where a large number of matching small ball and sockets serve for electrical connections between the processor and main system board. The number indicates the contact count for the CPU to socket interface. QPI = QuickPath Interconnect: This technology from Intel is similar to AMD HyperTransport. It replaces the Front Side Bus for data transfers to and from system memory. FSB = Front Side Bus: the speed in millions of cycles per second that data is transferred to and from main system memory. The FSB spec is nearing obsolescence as it is applicable only to LGA775 processors. LGA775 will be retired in early 2012. OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturer: a systems builder such as Dell. Most Intel OEM CPUs are not offered for individual retail purchase. Product information including production and discontinuance may not be available to the public. L2 Cache RAM = On-chip ultra-high speed memory where frequent instructions and data are cached for very quick access. Generally, the more L2 Cache, the faster the processor. Most L2 Cache is now assigned to individual cores. Except for the Celeron 400 series and Atom, L2 Cache is not listed in this table. L3 Cache RAM = On-chip ultra-high speed memory for very quick access. L3 Cache is often shared among cores. Generally, the more L3 Cache, the faster the processor. All cache in this table is L3 except for the Celeron 400 series and certain Atom processors. GHz as nn.nn/nn.nn = CPU core speed in gigahertz showing base and turbo speeds. Turbo speed allows individual CPU cores to briefly operated above base speed depending upon total load. |
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Hex Core Processors
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Details
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Intel® Core™
i7-E LGA 2011 Intel's top-end CPUs. These are marketed for enthusiasts and media professionals needing the absolute best and willing to pay the price. |
Intel Core i7-E Series including
Extreme Edition features Intel's newest top-of-the line six core
microprocessor in the new LGA 2011 format. This line requires a graphics card. Listed below are a link to Newegg, base CPU core clock and Thermal Design Power (TDP) in watts. 32nm "Sandy Bridge-E" 130W i7-3960X 3.3/3.9 GHz 16MB Unlocked i7-3930K 3.2/3.8 GHz 12MB Unlocked |
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Intel® Core™ i7 Extreme
Hex Core
LGA 1366 "Gulftown" processors will be discontinued by July 2012. |
32nm "Gulftown"
Extreme i7-990X 3.46 GHz 130W - Core i7-990x to be discontinued June 29, 2012. 32nm "Gulftown" i7-980 3.33 GHz 130W - Core i7-980 to be discontinued June 29, 2012. |
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Quad Core Processors
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Details
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Intel® Core™
i7 LGA 2011, LGA 1155 Intel's best quad-core processors. Only "K" or "X" models can be overclocked. |
Intel Core i7 models
are offered in the LGA 2011 and LGA 1155 formats. Work efficiency is unmatched by any other
processor. 22nm "Ivy Bridge" LGA 1155 77W i7-3770K 3.5/3.9 GHz Unlocked - Intel HD 4000 Graphics i7-3770 3.4/3.9 GHz Intel HD 4000 Graphics 32nm "Sandy Bridge-E" LGA 2011 130W Graphics adapter required i7-3820 3.6/3.9 GHz 32nm "Sandy Bridge" LGA 1155 95W i7-2700K 3.5/3.9 GHz Unlocked i7-2600K 3.4/3.8 GHz Unlocked i7-2600 3.4/3.8 GHz 32nm "Sandy Bridge" LGA 1155 65W i7-2600S 2.8/3.8 GHz |
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Intel® Core™
i7 LGA 1366, LGA 1156 Most "Lynnfield" processors have been discontinued. "Bloomfield" models will be discontinued by July 2012. |
45nm "Bloomfield" 130W LGA 1366 i7-960 3.20 GHz i7-950 3.06 GHz i7-930 2.80 GHz Core i7-930, i7-950 and i7-960 to be discontinued June 29, 2012 with final shipment December 7, 2012. 45nm "Lynnfield" 95W LGA 1156 i7-870 2.93 GHz - Core i7-870 to be discontinued June 29, 2012. Final tray shipment December 7, 2012. i7-860 2.80 GHz - Core i7-860 boxed model to be discontinued June 29, 2012. Will ship while supplies last.
Intel® Core™
i5 LGA 1155 |
22nm "Ivy Bridge" versions of this processor family are now available to supplant last year's "Sandy Bridge" models. Serious home video buffs should consider the Core i5-3550 for a high quality, time-saving video editing PC. I anticipate building a system for a close friend later this year using the Core i5-3550.
Intel Core i5 models
are offered in the LGA 1155 format. Turbo Boost 2.0 is enabled
and is indicated by the two speed ratings. The first rating is
at CPU idle; the second rating reflects Turbo Boost 2.0 engaged. |
22nm "Ivy Bridge" 77W i5-3570K 3.4/3.8 GHz Unlocked - Intel HD 4000 Graphics i5-3550 3.3/3.7 GHz Intel HD 4000 Graphics i5-3450 3.1/3.5 GHz 22nm "Ivy Bridge" 45W i5-3570T 2.3/3.3 GHz Intel HD 2500 Graphics 32nm "Sandy Bridge" 95W i5-2550K 3.4/3.8 GHz Unlocked no IGP i5-2500K 3.3/3.7 GHz Unlocked i5-2500 3.3/3.7 GHz i5-2450P 3.2/3.5 GHz i5-2400 3.1/3.4 GHz i5-2320 3.0/3.3 GHz i5-2310 2.9/3.2 GHz i5-2300 2.8/3.1 GHz - Core i5-2300 to be discontinued June 29, 2012 32nm "Sandy Bridge" 65W i5-2500S 2.7/3.7 GHz i5-2405S 2.5/3.3 GHz i5-2400S 2.5/3.5 GHz 32nm "Sandy Bridge" 45W i5-2500T 2.3/3.3 GHz OEM
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Dual Core Processors
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Details
Intel® Core™
i5-2nnn LGA 1155 |
This limited dual core model is now available pre-installed with PCs. The i5-2390T OEM model is not offered for individual retail sale.
Intel Core i5-2nnn models
are high-performance (Turbo Boost 2.0 is enabled) and super efficient CPUs for the desktop.
The first dual core release is an OEM processor designed for
small cases and Home Theatre PCs. |
32nm "Sandy Bridge" 35W i5-2390T 2.7/3.5 GHz 3MB OEM
Intel® Core™
i3-2nnn LGA 1155 |
The Core i3-2nnn family is a highly affordable line of high performance, high efficiency processors for those looking for excellent performance at a fair price. The Core i3-2105 and Core i3-2125 are excellent processors ideally suited for all-around use including occasional home video editing.
32nm "Sandy Bridge" 65W |
i3-2130 3.4 GHz 3MB i3-2125 3.3 GHz 3MB - Features Intel HD3000 Graphics i3-2120 3.3 GHz 3MB i3-2105 3.1 GHz 3MB - i3-2105 to be discontinued October 26, 2012. i3-2102 3.1 GHz 3MB - i3-2102 upgradeable to i3-2153 3.6 GHz via Intel Upgrade Service. i3-2100 3.1 GHz 3MB 32nm "Sandy Bridge" 35W i3-2120T 2.6 GHz 3MB i3-2100T 2.5 GHz 3MB - i3-2100T to be discontinued June 29, 2012
Intel® Core™
i5 600 Series LGA 1156 |
Most Core i5 600 series processors will be discontinued mid 2012. Intel®
Core™ i5 600 series is the previous generation of high
performance dual core
processors from Intel. Product discontinuance notices have been
issued. |
32nm "Clarkdale" 73W (except as noted) i5-680 3.60 GHz 4MB - See next note. i5-670 3.47 GHz 4MB - Core i5-680 and i5-670 to be discontinued June 29, 2012. Final tray shipment December 7, 2012. i5-660 3.33 GHz 4MB - Core i5-660 boxed model to be discontinued June 29, 2012. Ships while supplies last. i5-650 3.20 GHz 4MB - Core i5-650 to be discontinued June 29, 2012. Final tray shipment December 7, 2012.
Intel® Core™
i3 500 Series LGA 1156 |
Core i3 500 series will be discontinued mid year with final shipping December 7, 2012.
32nm "Clarkdale"
73W |
i3-560 3.33 GHz 3MB - Core i3-560 and Core i3-550 to be discontinued June 29, 2012. Final tray shipping December 7, 2012. Boxed models ship while supplies last. i3-550 3.20 GHz 3MB - See note above. i3-540 3.06 GHz 3MB - Core i3-540 boxed model to be discontinued June 29, 2012. Ships while supplies last. Tray model goes to Intel Embedded December 7, 2012.
Intel® Pentium™ G LGA 1155 |
The Pentium Gnnn dual core series is now available from Dell, HP and other assemblers as well as individually for custom and home builders. This is a high-efficiency 32nm CPU with on-die integrated graphics. Performance/price ratio is quite good.
Excellent moderately priced dual
core
processors for value-conscious consumers. Highly recommended
for basic computer use. |
32nm "Sandy Bridge" 65W G860 3.0 GHz 3MB G850 2.9 GHz 3MB G840 2.8 GHz 3MB - G840 to be discontinued June 29, 2012 G630 2.7 GHz 3MB G622 2.6 GHz 3MB - G622 upgradeable to G693 3.2 GHz via Intel Upgrade Service. G620 2.6 GHz 3MB G630T 2.3 GHz 3MB 35W G620T 2.2 GHz 3MB 35W - G620T to be discontinued June 29, 2012
Intel® Pentium™ G LGA 1156 |
This previous generation Pentium G will be discontinued mid 2012.
32nm "Clarkdale"
73W |
G6960 2.93 GHz 3MB OEM - G6960 to be discontinued June 29, 2012 with final shipment December 7, 2012. G6950 2.80 GHz 3MB - G6950 boxed model to be discontinued June 29, 2012. Ships while supplies last.
Intel® Pentium® Dual-Core
E Series
LGA 775 |
Pentium Dual Core E Series discontinued. Processors are still offered with various low-end clearance models including current PCs from eMachines. Paired with 4 GB RAM, this aging line is quite capable of running Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP very well.
45nm "Wolfdale" 1067 MHz FSB |
E6700 3.20 GHz, 2MB - E6700 discontinued but still marketed with PCs at Walmart and other discount outlets. E6600 3.06 GHz, 2MB - E6600 boxed and tray models discontinued. Boxed E6600 to ship while supplies last. Final tray shipping June 8, 2012. E6500 2.93 GHz, 2MB - E6500 discontinued. Boxed model ships while supplies last. Tray model transferred to Intel Embedded. 45nm "Wolfdale" 800 MHz FSB E5800 3.20 GHz, 2MB - E5800 discontinued. It is still offered by eMachines with PCs at Walmart and other discount outlets. E5700 3.00 GHz, 2MB - E5700 discontinued but still in retail channels.
Intel® Celeron™ G LGA 1155 |
Processors from this line perform surprisingly well.
Intel Celeron G5nn models
are available in the LGA 1155 format. These models actually
outperform three years old 65nm "Conroe" Core 2 Duo processors in some
benchmarks. |
32nm "Sandy Bridge" 65W G540 2.50 GHz 2MB G530 2.40 GHz 2MB G530T 2.0 GHz 2MB 35W
Intel® Atom™
Dual Core
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Ultra energy-efficient dual core processors for mini-format PCs. This line is powerful enough for nettops and new all-in-one PCs running Windows 7. The dual-core
versions of the Intel Atom
series are
OEM processors for mini-notebook computers,
home servers, nettops and all-in-one PCs. Originally
manufactured with 45nm technology, the latest 32nm models are
more efficient and better performing. |
32nm "Cedarview"
45nm "Pineview"
HT DMI 1MB L2
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Single Core Processors
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Details
Intel® Celeron™ G LGA 1155 |
This single core line is now Intel's entry-level desktop processor.
Compared to the previous lineup, the single core Celeron G is a
significant improvement. Regardless, shoppers are encouraged to
upgrade to a dual core or better processor. |
32nm "Sandy Bridge" 35W G440 1.60 GHz 1MB
Intel® Atom™
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Ultra energy-efficient processors for handheld devices and for mini-format ULCPCs ("Netbooks"). "Pineview" models are for netbook PCs. The Intel Atom
single core series are
45nm
OEM processors available with mini-notebook computers. A well-designed Atom-based
laptop/notebook can operate without fans. |
"Pineview" HT DMI
512KB L2
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About Product Discontinuance: |
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Processors may remain in retail channels for weeks, months, or years. Some final steppings (versions) are relegated to OEM/tray production and may be found on the market with eMachines and other second and third tier brands long after discontinued by Acer, Dell and HP. A minority are transferred to the Intel Embedded Technology Division where they can be ordered for special markets for years to come. Product discontinuance references in this document are based upon published current production first and second tier vendor model offerings and/or upon factory distributor order cutoff for retail (non-OEM) processors. Final production and shipping schedules are not generally considered because those schedules are often months after Acer, Dell, and Hewlett-Packard discontinue sales. One exception is eMachines, a subsidiary of Acer. eMachines sells computers based upon older processors long after others have moved to newer technology.
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Upcoming Processors and Technologies: |
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In 2012, Intel will shrink "Sandy Bridge" to 22 nanometers to create "Ivy Bridge". These new processors will be made using Intel TriGate Transistor technology for lower power consumption and better thermal performance. TriGate is the basis for all future Intel CPUs. Following "Ivy Bridge", Intel will introduce "Haswell" at 22 nanometers. Reportedly a revolutionary processor redesign, "Haswell" is expected to market in 2013. In 2014, "Broadwell" will debut at 14 nanometers. In 2015, "Skylake" is expected at 14nm. In 2016, "Skymont" is expected at 10nm. | ||||
5/05/2012
Primary market and production information sources include:
http://www.dailytech.com
http://www.hkepc.com
http://www.intel.com
http://ark.intel.com