Intel Plans Core i7 and Core i5 Dual-Core Ultrathin Notebook Processors in 2010

[btarunr]

Intel recently released quad-core notebook processors based on the Nehalem architecture. The company wants to further develop its ultrathin notebook processor portfolio with three new dual-core processors based on the "Arrandale" core, carrying the Core i7 and Core i5 brand identifiers. These models are slated for launch in the first half of 2010. Included, are the Core i7 640UM, Core i7 620UM, and Core i5 520UM. While the Core i7 640UM is clocked at 1.20 GHz, the Core i7 620UM and Core i5 520UM carry the same clock speeds of 1.06 GHz. We would imagine a feature such as HyperThreading Technology to differentiate the two.

While the clock speeds may seem low, it is important to note that these ultra low voltage processors succeed similarly clocked Core 2 Duo SU9000 and SU7000 series processors. Speaking of which, in the run up to the new chips, Intel will introduce six new models within Q4 2009, namely Core 2 Duo models SU9600, SU9400, SU7300, Pentium models SU4100, SU2300, and Celeron 743. The Core i7 640UM, 620UM, and Core i5 520UM are expected to be available to manufacturers at US $305, $278, and $241, respectively. All prices are in 1000-unit tray quantities.

Source: DigiTimes

[lemonadesoda]

ULV processors for ultra-portables are designed for the "travelling executive", ladies handbag device, or pimp, rather than as gaming desktop replacements. Therefore, these processors offer more than enough oomph IMO. Looking forward to a new range of netbooks/ultraportables.

[TheMailMan78]

Originally Posted by lemonadesoda

ULV processors for ultra-portables are designed for the "travelling executive", ladies handbag device, or pimp, rather than as gaming desktop replacements. Therefore, these processors offer more than enough oomph IMO. Looking forward to a new range of netbooks/ultraportables.

Considering most games are ports now these might be enough "oomph" paired up with the right GPU. Maybe a good budget build if the price is right.

[unclewebb]

The default clock speed on Intel's new mobile CPUs can be a little misleading. The i7-720QM is a good example. It has a default multiplier of 12 so it is rated at 12 x 133.33 MHz = 1.6 GHz. This CPU also has a maximum turbo feature that adds 9 bins of boost so when only a single core is active, it can automatically increase the multiplier from 12 to 21 and now this CPU is running at 2.8 GHz instead of 1.6 GHz.

This is the future for all Intel CPUs. A low default MHz with the ability to turbo boost up to much higher speeds when necessary. That keeps power consumption down while still allowing good performance. The majority of tasks that the majority of people run are single threaded so most tasks will benefit from this type of design. I'm not sure how many bins of boost the new UM series will have.

[HalfAHertz]

That doesn't strike me as a good future strategy, considering that things are moving to "paralelism". There are more and more "multi-core capable" apps like browsers, anti-virus, archiving and backup software popping around...