Processors

For 2010, Intel has introduced a new line of processors code named “Clarkdale”, and will be known as the Core i5 600 series. At this point there are four processors in this series, the 650, the 660, the 670, and the 661. Today I will be looking at the Intel Core i5 661, a dual core LGA 1156 processor built in the 32nm process, with on-die video processing. This should make it a natural for HTPC and non-gaming rigs. How will the i5 661 fare with this geek who has had the honor of reviewing some of the most powerful video cards in the world? Read on to see!

In August, Intel introduced a new, less expensive line of processors using LGA 1156. This family so far consists of three processors, the i7 870, i7 860, and the i5 750. The i7 8xx processor is a slightly scaled-down version of the i7 9xx, the main difference being a new memory controller that supports only dual-channel memory. But it really isn’t quite that simple, the LGA 1156 processors have taken on several tasks that were performed by the NB, allowing the motherboard chipset and hopefully the motherboards themselves to be less expensive. Today I will be looking at the entry level LGA 1156 i7, the Core i7 860. I am anxious to see the differences between it and the i7 920, which I reviewed in the early part of this year. Will this new Core i7 impress me as much as the earlier one did? Read on to see!

Today I will be looking at my first triple core processor, the AMD Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition. It has been around about six months now, and the price has dropped a fair amount, making this CPU a definite consideration for an economy rig. With some careful shopping, using this processor and the motherboard I will be using for this review, you could easily build a rig less peripherals and operating system for under $600. Read on to check out the Phenom II X3 720!

Today I will be looking at the next generation of Phenom, the Phenom II X4 940 Black Edition. AMD has added some "umph" to the X4 to give it some more processing power. Will the X4 940 show up my first generation 9950 X4, the last of its generation? Read on to see!

Today I will be looking at the Intel Core i7 920, the most affordable of the three Nehalem processors. Yeah, I'm a little late to the punch, but better late than never. I'd like to welcome our newest sponsor, Intel, to ThinkComputer.org's growing family of manufacturers and vendors helping us to bring you as much information as possible before you make that hardware purchase. Read on to see if the excitement surrounding the Core i7 is all hype, or if you should start saving your pennies to join the party!