Intel updating Core i7 processors

While Intel hasn't publicly announced its plans, the chipmaker is set to replace its popular 2.66GHz Core i7 920 CPU with a 2.88GHz Core i7 930 early on into 2010, says a Thursday report. The new chip will be based on 45nm architecture, but Fudzilla says it will otherwise retain the current chip's quad-core, eight-thread design for the LGA 1366 socket. This is a contradiction to Intel's recent plans, which see the LGA 1366 multiplier sockets open only for Extreme Edition chips, such as with the recent 3.2GHz Core i7 960.

At the same time, price reductions are expected on the Core i7 860 and Core i7 870 chips, which fit the newer LGA 1156 socket, because of Intel's introduction of the 860S and 870S low-power models in the first quarter of 2010. These were previously expected to be the only remaining mainstream Core i7-branded models to transition into 2010.

By Electronista Staff