Intel pushing back Core i5 to September?
updated 03:10 pm EDT, Tue May 26, 2009
Intel Core i5 Delayed
Intel's Core i5 processor platform has been pushed back until September, according to claims by those producing mainboards for the platform. The delay would move the launch from the original July and is purportedly meant to clear out stock of earlier designs due to the poor economy. When it does launch, the desktop processor range will reportedly start with 2.66GHz, 2.8Ghz and 2.93GHz processors in bulk prices of $196, $284 and $562 along with a matching mainboard chipset, the P55, costing $40 in volume.
Core i5 is intended as a mainstream counterpart to Core i7 that preserves the new Nehalem architecture but with features scaled back enough to lower the price. Initial models should involve quad-core processors and will have a thermal peak power of 95W. It's anticipated to eventually lead to lower-power desktop processors.
Entry-level Core i5 chips, codenamed Havendale, are expected in January and should be quickly followed by extra chipsets. The delays aren't believed to affect Auburndale, the mobile version of Nehalem, which could show as early as this summer.
