The introduction of new Intel Core i7, i5 and i3 chips coincides with the arrival of Intel’s new 32 nanometer (nm) manufacturing process, which Intel says will be employed in the production and delivery of processors and features at “a variety of price points.”
All this comes after a reported $7 billion investment on the part of Intel to help streamline its production processes in the midst of a major global recession.
CES Rollouts
Intel unveiled several platform products this week, including more than 25 processors, wireless adapters, and chipsets. Intel’s Core i7, i5, and i3 processors led the charge, along with Intel 5 Series Chipsets and Intel Centrino Wi-Fi and WiMAX adapters, which include the new Intel My WiFi features.
“More than 400 laptop and desktop PC platform designs are expected from computer makers based on these products,” states Intel in a press release it delivered to EH Publishing, “with another 200 expected for embedded devices.”
Intel’s New Family of Processors
New† are manufactured on the company’s 32nm process, which includes Intel’s second-generation high-k metal gate transistors. This technique, the company says, helps increase a computer’s speed while decreasing energy consumption.
Sean Maloney, executive vice president and general manager for Intel, said this process has borne a “new family of processors.”
“These smart processors adapt to an individual’s needs, automatically providing a ‘boost’ of performance for everyday applications,” Maloney says. “They become energy efficient to the point of shutting down processing cores or reducing power consumption to provide performance when people need it, and energy efficient when they don’t.”
Based on Intel’s award-winning “Nehalem” microarchitecture, these new desktop, mobile, and embedded processors deliver smart performance for music, gaming, videos, movies, photos, social networking, and other demanding mainstream applications.
The new Intel Core i7 and Core i5 processors also feature Intel Turbo Boost Technology for adaptive performance. Turbo Boost technology accelerates performance by adjusting to the workload at hand so that priority is given in such a way that users will feel “an immediate performance boost when needed,” states Intel.
Also available in the new Intel Core i7, Core i5, and Core i3 processors is Intel’s Hyper-Threading Technology. This enables “smart multi-tasking,” Intel says, by enabling each processing core to run multiple “threads.”Also making a CES appearance this week was the Intel 5 Series Chipset. Supporting the new 2010 Intel Core processors, the chipset is the company’s first single-chip chipset solution.
Wireless Introductions
The Intel Centrino brand now represents Intel’s wireless products, targeting “a broader range of users than ever before,” said Intel this week.
Three new Intel Centrino wireless adapters were introduced. Each features feature advanced 802.11n multi-stream capabilities and dual-band support for WiFi. Intel told CES-goers that this represents up to eight times greater speed, as well as consistent coverage and reliable connectivity while consuming minimal power.
Intel’s WiMAX/WiFi adapter supports 2.3, 2.5 and 3.5GHz WiMAX bands delivering up to 20Mbps on the go. All the adapters support Intel My WiFi technology, which enables users to turn their laptops into virtual hotspots, directly connecting wireless devices to their laptops. Remote WiFi client management with Intel Embedded IT and IntelÆ Active Management Technology 6.0 also helps enable remote client management.
In addition, entry-level workstations are now available based on Intel Core i5 with Intel HD graphics or an Intel Xeon 3400 series processors and the Intel 3450 Chipset.
Intel will also offer the new 2010 Intel Core processor family on Intel vPro Technology later in the quarter.
