Intel Sandy Bridge to start above 32nm

Early details have emerged today for the first processors to use Intel's new Sandy Bridge platform. The 32 nanometer desktop processors known so far will all start at 3.1GHz or higher and scale up depending on the model. Intel reportedly plans to keep the Core i3, i5 and i7 naming schemes and to use both the number of actual cores and the presence of Hyperthreading to dictate performance and price.

The starting models so far would be the 3.1GHz Core i3 2100 and 3.3GHz Core i3 2120. Either would have two cores with Hyperthreading and 3MB of Level 3 cache. The Core i5 2400 and 2500 would run at the same respective speeds but replace Hyperthreading with four actual cores; they would also climb to 6MB of cache. Just one Core i7 model, the 2600, would be available but at 3.2GHz would have both four real cores and Hyperthreading, along with 8MB of cache.

Other details, such as power draw, aren't known. However, the power consumption may be lower than today for some processors -- as low as 35W, based on some claims -- and should have on-die integrated graphics significantly faster than on the current models that have the feature.

Intel has already said that it plans to deliver Sandy Bridge for the desktop in the fall. Its notebook counterpart, which will run on the Huron River platform, isn't due until early 2011. [via Notebook Italia]

By Electronista Staff