Intel launches new Core i5 and i7 Processors

Intel Philippines yesterday unveiled a number of new processors under its Core i5 and Core i7 brands. Most interesting feature is the Turbo Boost that automatically overclocks the CPU when you need more juice.

Intel introduced the Core i7 920/940 last year but those were intended for hardcore gamers and enthusiasts. The new ones they’re bringing in is an attempt to make it more mainstream and affordable. But unlike the i7 900 series which is Socket LG1366, the Core i7 800 series is on another Socket LG1156.

Most interesting is the Turbo Boost technology — a capability of the CPU to add extra horsepower when it is needed. For example, a 2.66GHz Core i5 750 can go up to 3.2GHz clockspeed. However, HT (hyper-threading) has been disabled on the i5.

The Core i7 800 series comes in 2 clock speeds and has HT enabled — i7-860 @ 2.8GHz and the i7-870 @ 2.93GHz. With Turbo Boost, the 2.93GHz i7-870 can go up to 3.6GHz.

There’s no final price yet but OEMs who attended the the launching say that the Core i5 750 will cost somewhere between Php10k to Php11k while the i7-860 could be between Php15k to Php16k.

I asked Intel Philippines President Rickey Banaag if this will mean they’re shelving the Core 2 Quad since the i5 and i7 are also 4 cores. He says no and Intel will keep them separate for market segmentation. In short, expect the prices of Core 2 Quads to go down in the next couple of months.