Friday, November 26th 2010
2011 Intel Core Processor Pricing and Launch Dates Surface
Back in August, a report with details sourced from ComputerBase.de was bang-on in tabling what the 2011 Intel Core processor lineup is going to look like. With a little over a month to go for the market release of these processors, fresh details emerged that reveal pricing and precise availability dates of each model. To begin with, 9th January is D-day for the socket LGA1155 platform, when one can expect a large wave of motherboards to reach stores, along with 10 new Core i5, Core i7 "Sandy Bridge" quad-core processors.
The quad-core lineup consists of 7 Core i5 models. Based on a Sandy Bridge derivative silicon, these processors differ from the Core i7 models in having no HyperThreading (4 cores/4 threads), and 25% of the L3 cache being disabled (set at 6 MB). The lineup overall is seeing a clock speed increase compared to current-generation "Lynnfield" processors. The Core i5 lineup also includes an overclocker-friendly "K" model, which features an unlocked BClk multipler. The fastest in the lineup is the Core i7 2600/2600K, which is clocked at 3.40 GHz. With the default BClk (base clock) of Sandy Bridge running at 100 MHz (compared to 133 MHz on Nehalem/Westmere), one can expect very high multiplier values. It should also be easier to calculate speeds and keep track of, for overclockers.
The pricing of these quad-core chips also seems to be very interesting. Things are pretty tight between the Core i5-2300 (2.80 GHz), and Core i5-2500K (3.30 GHz), with just a $39 gap between the two, but four models in all to choose from. The Core i7 parts are priced higher, at $297 for the i7-2600 and $317 for the i7-2600K.
The next big launch day is on 20th February, when Intel launches four dual-core processors in the Core i3 series. Quite interestingly, there are no dual-core Core i5 processors, and most of the Core i3 dual-core chips don't feature Turbo Boost technology, barring the fastest one, the Core i3-2390T. Then, a little later in February, the first LGA1155 Pentium Dual-Core processor, the G620T, will be launched. Some time later in Q2-2011, Intel will add three more Pentium models.
Source:
Expreview
The quad-core lineup consists of 7 Core i5 models. Based on a Sandy Bridge derivative silicon, these processors differ from the Core i7 models in having no HyperThreading (4 cores/4 threads), and 25% of the L3 cache being disabled (set at 6 MB). The lineup overall is seeing a clock speed increase compared to current-generation "Lynnfield" processors. The Core i5 lineup also includes an overclocker-friendly "K" model, which features an unlocked BClk multipler. The fastest in the lineup is the Core i7 2600/2600K, which is clocked at 3.40 GHz. With the default BClk (base clock) of Sandy Bridge running at 100 MHz (compared to 133 MHz on Nehalem/Westmere), one can expect very high multiplier values. It should also be easier to calculate speeds and keep track of, for overclockers.
The next big launch day is on 20th February, when Intel launches four dual-core processors in the Core i3 series. Quite interestingly, there are no dual-core Core i5 processors, and most of the Core i3 dual-core chips don't feature Turbo Boost technology, barring the fastest one, the Core i3-2390T. Then, a little later in February, the first LGA1155 Pentium Dual-Core processor, the G620T, will be launched. Some time later in Q2-2011, Intel will add three more Pentium models.
61 Comments on 2011 Intel Core Processor Pricing and Launch Dates Surface
you think they will sell flag ship product without all features?
Why is everyone comparing AMD's high-end to Intel's mid-range and then AMD Fanboys getting all excited that it might be close?
I am not AMD bashing as they do a fantastic job at a given price point, hence why i use them, but it would just be nice to see some completion at the true high-end for once in 5 years.
I am pretty sure Intel are only delaying their high-end LGA-2011 because they are worried about AMD and don't want the monopolies commission on their backs (again!). Why else would they pretty much kill all LGA-1366 sales by releasing a much cheaper range of chips with better clock-for-clock performance and from all accounts overclocks much better too.
What's more, if the timeline is to be believed then 22nm Ivy Bridge will be out just months after the LGA-2011 and so 'might' eclipse Intel's high-end once more, depends on how well 22nm overclocks etc.
The biggest issue for AMD is that in a perfect world Bulldozer would have been out 2 years ago. And the CPU world has moved on in those 2 years. I am sure there have tweaks and improvements to what would have come out 2 years ago but all the same, a product this late is going to be starting on the back foot from the get-go.
As always, the battle will be on the value front and i hope AMD can again deliver like it has been doing for so long. As for me, Intel’s 'K' variants seem to be priced pretty fairly. I think locking the overclocking to just those chips is going to annoy a lot of people but also make Intel an awful lot of money. No more turning an $80 chip into a $600 beast, if you want the performance you have to pay for it. Time to buy Intel shares!!
All i series cpus have it.
Would it be a good idea to wait two or three months longer for these Sandybridge-CPUs? Which one could it be, to top the performance of the i7-870, regarding overclocking capabilities (watercooled)? The jungle is getting more and more impermeably.
thx for a pro-advice! ;)
:T:
Wait the 40 days until the release and then make up your mind.
I sooo want to buy one of these babies the second they are out, well after TechPowerUP have given them the once over and 5GHz is real!
BUT as always with me i have to know i am spending my money in the best opposible way which means I have to wait to see how Bulldozer does as AMD are the kings of performance/value,
BUT by the time Bulldozer is out then Intel's high-end LGA-2011 will be just around the corner,
BUT just around the corner from that is 22nm Ivy Bridge!
Welcome to my world!!