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Guide to Intel® Desktop and Laptop Processors for
Personal Computers
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Processor Micro-Architecture
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Details
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| Intel® Microarchitecture (Nehalem/Westmere) | Intel®
Microarchitecture (code-named "Nehalem/Westmere"),
an extension of the Intel Core™
microarchitecture,
is the top-of-the-line processor family from Intel Corporation.
It features substantial performance
improvements including Intel
QuickPath
Interconnect (QPI) with an integrated memory controller, plus other enhancements such as an improved
version of
Hyper-Threading Technology (HT),
Turbo Boost and AES acceleration on higher end models. Lower end
models lack these features. The first "Nehalem" models are based upon a 45nm manufacturing process. The second generation, a 32nm shrink called "Westmere", was recently introduced and will eventually replace the 45nm "Penryn" models from the second generation of Intel Core micro-architecture in the mainstream market (detailed below). Current desktop processor series include Intel® Core™i3, Core i5, Core i7 and the high-end Core i7 Extreme. |
| Intel® Core™/Penryn | Intel's
current value and lower mainstream
microprocessor line is based upon the
Intel® Core™ Microarchitecture. 65nm "Conroe", "Allendale" and "Merom" processors first introduced in 2007 and 2008 have largely been phased out and replaced with the 45nm technology "Penryn" family. "Penryn" broadly includes "Wolfdale" and "Yorkfield" desktop models and "Penryn" notebook processors. Most laptop computers with "Penryn" CPUs are very quiet thanks to their power and thermal efficiency. Intel Core processor series include Intel Core 2 Extreme, Core 2 Quad, Core 2 Duo, Pentium® Dual Core, Celeron® Dual Core and derivative single core Intel Celeron processors. |
| Intel® Atom™ | The
Intel® Atom™ Microarchitecture is a radical departure from
the past years of Intel products. Introduced in the summer of
2008, Atom processors are based upon 45nm technology
and are very small with idle power consumption
measured in milliwatts.
Thermal Design Power (TDP) is a fraction of what most
desktop processors dissipate. Entry-level Atom processors can operate without heatsinks, saving much weight and space in electronic products such as GPS systems and Ultra-Low-Cost PCs (ULCPCs). Intel Atom is only offered in mini-ITX format systems. |
| Intel® P6/Pentium® M |
Developed from the
Pentium III "Tualatin" processor (Intel P6 Microarchitecture c.
2001), the 32-bit-only Pentium M and derivatives were designed
with laptop/notebook users in mind. Reduced power consumption
and improved thermal management were shared top priorities. Processor series include the Pentium M, Celeron M 300 and M 400, Core Solo, Core Duo and the first Intel Pentium Dual Core models for laptop computers. P6/Pentium M production is being phased out as Intel Atom proliferates in the marketplace. |
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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 later than when Acer, Dell, and Hewlett-Packard discontinue selling the processors. |
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Legend 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. The first version used with the Nehalem microarchitecture is theoretically twice as fast as the 1600 MHz FSB used by the Intel Core 2 Extreme Q9770. 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 not applicable to Intel Core i7 or any future Intel "Nehalem" micro-architecture processor. 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. |
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Hex-Core Processors
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Details
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Intel® Core™ i7 Extreme
980x
LGA1366 Not yet available, this will be Intel's new top-end CPU for graphics/video media professionals, gamers and well-heeled enthusiasts. Manufactured with 32nm lithography, all models will feature an unlocked core multiplier.
$$$$
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Intel®
Core™ i7 Extreme Edition 980x will be available only in the
LGA1366 socket format compatible with the
Intel X58 Express Chipset
and DDR3 RAM. "Gulftown" 32nm (due April, 2010) i7-980X 3.33 GHz 130W |
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Quad Core Processors
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Details
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Intel® Core™ i7 Extreme
LGA1366 The #1 CPU - aimed at graphics/video media professionals, gamers and well-heeled enthusiasts. All models feature an unlocked core multiplier. $$$$ |
Intel®
Core™ i7 Extreme Edition is available only in the
LGA1366 socket format compatible with the
Intel X58 Express Chipset
and DDR3 RAM. All models presently feature QuickPath
Interconnect (QPI) specification of 6.4 GT/s. QPI replaces the front side bus
(FSB) specification as a measure of data transfer capability. Next to the CPU model number are clock speed in gigahertz and Thermal Design Power (TDP) in watts. "Bloomfield" 45nm i7-975 3.33 GHz 130W |
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Intel® Core™
i7 LGA1366, LGA1156 Superb 45 nanometer technology multi-core processors for the mainstream and upper mainstream shopper. The new Intel Core i7-860 is an outstanding high-efficiency performer. It is possibly overall the best consumer processor currently available. |
Intel Core i7 900 series models are offered in the
LGA1366 socket format compatible with the
Intel X58 Express Chipset
and DDR3 RAM. QPI transfer is 4.8 GT/s. "Bloomfield" 130W i7-960 3.20 GHz i7-950 3.06 GHz i7-940 2.93 GHz i7-930 2.80 GHz (i7-930 due February, 2010) i7-920 2.66 GHz Intel Core i7 800 series models are offered in the LGA1156 socket format compatible with the Intel P55 Express Chipset and DDR3 RAM. DMI transfer is 2.5 GT/s. This new line is super-efficient and features fully implemented Turbo Boost technology that propels the base Core i7-860 processor beyond the Core i7-920. "Lynnfield" 45nm 95W i7-870 2.93 GHz i7-860 2.80 GHz (Best high-performance processor for the money...better performing than the i7-920!) "Clarksfield" 45nm 45W mobile PGA988 CPU i7-720QM 1.60 GHz |
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Intel® Core™
i5 700 Series LGA1156 This new mainstream line will eventually replace the Core 2 Quad family. First model is the excellent i5-750 internally clocked at 2.66 GHz. |
Intel®
Core™ i5 quad core 700 series is a Core i7 Lynnfield core without
Hyper-Threading. Internal transfers between cores are handled differently from
the Core i7. Nonetheless, this is an
excellent processor line at an excellent price and a great value. "Lynnfield" 45nm 95W i5-750 2.66 GHz 8MB |
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Intel® Core™ 2 Quad LGA775 Excellent multi-core processors for mainstream and value shoppers. This line will begin to be phased out in late 2010. |
The Intel®
Core™ 2 Quad
Q9000 and Q8000 series of processors
offer high performance and relatively cool operation. The latest
models are manufactured with a 45nm process and are designed to
run on a 1,333 MHz Front Side Bus. "Yorkfield" 95 Watt Q9650 3.00 GHz, 12 MB Q9550 2.83 GHz, 12 MB Q9500 2.83 GHz, 6 MB (due February, 2010) Q9400 2.66 GHz, 6 MB (Final boxed order date April 9, 2010) Q9300 2.50 GHz, 6 MB Q8400 2.66 GHz, 4 MB Q8300 2.50 GHz, 4 MB Q8200 2.33 GHz, 4 MB (Q8200 to be discontinued May 7, 2010) "Yorkfield" 65 Watt Q9550s 2.83 GHz, 12 MB Q9400s 2.66 GHz, 6 MB Q8400s 2.66 GHz, 4 MB Q8200s 2.33 GHz, 4 MB |
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Dual Core Processors
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Details
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Intel® Core™
i5 600 Series LGA1156 This new line features a high-efficiency 32nm CPU core plus a 45nm integrated graphics core. Turbo Boost is enabled on this line. |
Intel®
Core™ i5 600 series offers the most powerful dual core
processors from Intel. Presently, only one chipset supports
this line, the Intel H55 Express Chipset. The i5-661 has a more powerful graphics core and dissipates slightly more heat than other models in this group. "Clarkdale" 32nm 73W (except as noted) i5-670 3.47 GHz 4 MB i5-661 3.33 GHz 4 MB 87W i5-660 3.33 GHz 4 MB i5-650 3.20 GHz 4 MB |
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Intel® Core™
i3 500 Series LGA1156 This new line features a high-efficiency 32nm CPU core plus a 45nm integrated graphics core. Turbo Boost is disabled as is AES acceleration. Core i3 succeeds Intel Core 2 Duo in this performance range. |
Intel®
Core™ i3 500 series is now available. Performance is
similar to the previous Core 2 Duo line. Core i3 500 requires
the Intel H55 Express Chipset. "Clarkdale" 32nm 73W i3-540 3.06 GHz i3-530 2.93 GHz |
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Intel® Core™ 2 Duo LGA775,
MPGA479 Available in a wide range of models and prices, Core 2 Duo processors offer excellent to outstanding performance with high efficiency and long-term value for mainstream buyers. This section presently includes Core 2 Duo laptop CPUs. |
The Intel® Core™ 2 Duo family of
dual core processors is marketed for mainstream users
seeking a powerful but efficient computing solution that can
perform a wide variety of tasks. Following are desktop model numbers (linked to NewEgg.com) and their core clock speeds and total L2 Cache. They are classified according to their core nicknames and FSB speeds and Level 2 Cache RAM. Prices can be compared to the fees charged by Dell and other vendors for processor upgrades. Desktop Processors "Wolfdale"
1333 MHz 45nm "Wolfdale"
1067 MHz 45nm Laptop/Notebook Processors Notebook processors are slightly smaller than the desktop models and feature a lower FSB speed. They have superior energy management for long battery run times. "Penryn" processors feature super-efficient 45nm technology and are highly recommended. 1067 MHz FSB "Penryn" Pnnn models are the most power efficient of any PC/laptop CPU class. "Penryn" 1067 MHz
(35W TDP) "Penryn" 1067 MHz
(25W TDP) P7450 2.13 GHz, 3 MB OEM P7350 2.00 GHz, 3 MB OEM
"Penryn" 800 MHz
(10W TDP) "Penryn" 800 MHz The models listed below are OEM CPUs that are sold with low-cost laptops and are not sold individually. Their production status may not be released to the public. Not all OEM models are listed. "Penryn" 800 MHz
OEM (Acer, Dell, etc.) |
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Intel® Pentium™ G LGA1156 This new dual core Pentium line is built upon a high-efficiency 32nm CPU core plus a 45nm integrated graphics core. It is the fastest ever Intel Pentium branded processor. |
Intel®
Pentium G series is now available. The Intel H55 Express Chipset
is required. "Clarkdale" 32nm 73W G6950 2.80 GHz 3 MB |
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Intel® Pentium® Dual-Core
LGA775,
MPGA479 Very good to excellent energy-efficient processors for desktops (E series) and laptops (T series) |
Intel Pentium Dual Core E series
are similar to the Intel Core 2 Duo except for having less L2
Cache RAM. The "Wolfdale" 45nm models offer excellent performance for the
money. "Wolfdale" 1067 MHz 45nm E6600 3.06 GHz, 2 MB E6500 2.93 GHz, 2 MB E6300 2.80 GHz, 2 MB "Wolfdale" 800 MHz 45nm E5400 2.70 GHz, 2 MB E5300 2.60 GHz, 2 MB E5200 2.50 GHz, 2 MB (E5200 discontinued May 7, 2010) "Allendale" 800 MHz
65nm Intel® Pentium® Dual Core T Series are OEM processors derived from the Core 2 Duo series for laptops, hybrids and all-in-one computers. They are offered with systems from Acer, Dell, Gateway, HP and others. "Penryn" 800 MHz OEM
45nm |
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Intel® Celeron® Dual-Core E Series
LGA775 Intel's entry level dual-core processor. "Wolfdale" models are very good performers. |
"Wolfdale" 800 MHz 45nm
"Allendale" 800 MHz 65nm (All
models below will be discontinued this year with final shipping in
December, 2010.) |
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Intel® Atom™
Dual Core
Ultra energy-efficient dual core processors for mini-format PCs. This line is powerful enough for nettops and basic all-in-one PCs running Windows 7. |
The latest
version of the Intel Atom
series are dual core
OEM processors for mini-notebook computers,
home servers, nettops and all-in-one PCs. All are manufactured with 45nm process technology. Below are the available models:
"Pineview"
HT DMI 1MB L2
"Diamondville" HT 533 MHz 1MB L2 |
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Single Core Processors
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Details
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Intel® Core™ 2 Solo Ultra energy-efficient single core processors for specialty notebook applications. |
Intel® Core™
2 Solo is a single core ultra-low voltage processor aimed at
specialty notebook markets such as that served by the Dell
Latitude XT Tablet. The models listed below are modified Penryn
CPUs now also appearing in consumer thin notebooks. Currently, all models are OEM. "Penryn" 800 MHz 45nm OEM SU3500 1.40 GHz 5.5 watts SU3300 1.20 GHz 5.5 watts |
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Intel® Celeron® Processor 400 Series
Intel's energy-efficient entry-level single core desktop processors for budget systems. This 65nm line will remain in production through at least 1H 2010. The Celeron 450 is the current base processor for Dell budget desktop systems. The discontinued Celeron 420 is the base processor for eMachines budget Intel systems. |
The Intel®
Celeron™ 400 series replaced the Celeron D. All are rated at 35
watts Thermal Design Power. Performance remains at the bottom of
the Intel barrel due to limited L2 Cache and low internal
clock frequencies.
"Conroe-L" 800 MHz
65nm |
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Intel® Celeron® Processor 500 and 700 ULV Series
Energy-efficient single core processors for laptops. |
These 64-bit
capable processors are based upon the Core architecture and are
surprisingly acceptable performers as well as being reasonably
efficient. The following "Penryn" models are OEM only for thin-frame laptops and for ruggedized tablet notebooks: "Penryn" 800 MHz 45nm OEM ULV 723 1.20 GHz, 1 MB 10 watts ULV 722 1.20 GHz, 1 MB 5.5 watts "Merom-L" 667 MHz 65nm 575 2.00 GHz, 1 MB OEM This model will be not be factory orderable after May 17, 2010. "Merom-L" 533 MHz 65nm 550 2.00 GHz, 1 MB 540 1.86 GHz, 1 MB Except for the Celeron 550, this series will be discontinued April 16, 2010. |
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Intel® Celeron® Processor
900 Series
Energy-efficient single core processors for laptops. |
This OEM line
is the current performance leader in low-cost Celeron processors
for laptops. "Penryn" 800 MHz 45nm 900 2.2 GHz, 1 MB |
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Intel®
Celeron® M 300 and Celeron® M 400 Series 32-bit-only laptop CPUs in limited production for ULCPCs ("netbooks") running Windows XP Home Edition. |
The majority
of Intel Celeron M 300 and Celeron M 400 series processors have
been discontinued. Demand
is minimal as better performing Intel Atom processors proliferate in the
ULCPC market. "Dothan" 400 MHz 90nm OEM only ULV 373 1.0 GHz, 512 KB (may be underclocked for ULCPCs) |
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Intel® Atom™
Ultra energy-efficient processors for handheld devices and for mini-format ULCPCs ("Netbooks"). "Pineview" and "Diamondville" models are for netbook PCs. "Silverthorne" models were initially targeted for handheld devices such as PDAs. Due to high demand, they were offered with mini-PCs and netbooks. Intel recently announced the Z series will no longer be supplied for netbooks and has begun to phase out certain models. |
The Intel Atom
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
"Diamondville" 667 MHz
"Diamondville" 533 MHz The following models are 32-bit only: "Silverthorne" 533 MHz "Silverthorne" 400 MHz |
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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 later than when Acer, Dell, and Hewlett-Packard discontinue selling the processors. |
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| Upcoming Processors and Technologies: |
Intel will release 32nm high end versions of "Westmere" beginning April 2010. Code-named "Gulftown", the first model will feature six cores capable of handling twelve process threads simultaneously and should be compatible with the current Intel X58 Express Chipset. Following "Westmere" is 32nm "Sandy Bridge" currently on schedule for market release in late 2010 or early 2011. It will be followed by 22nm "Haswell" in 2012. "Haswell" reportedly will be a major redesign. |
2/03/2010
Primary market and production information sources include:
http://www.dailytech.com
http://www.hkepc.com
http://www.intel.com
http://ark.intel.com