User buys, tests HP dv7 with Sandy Bridge early
updated 02:25 pm EST, Thu December 30, 2010
Notebook slips out ahead of official launch
An HP dv7 notebook powered by Intel's Sandy Bridge processor appears to have slipped into the hands of a customer ahead of the platform's official launch. The device, which was reportedly purchased at the Ohio-based computer store Micro Center, features a quad-core i7-2630QM processor that runs between 2GHz and 2.9GHz depending on the Turbo Boost mode.
The user ran several benchmark tests on the new processor, including a Cinebench run that achieved a CPU score only slightly below Intel's quad-core i7-860 and i7-960 desktop processors running at 2.8GHz and 3.2GHz, according to the results posted on Notebook Review's forums. With a real game, the notebook reportedly ran Dirt 2 at a CPU load of just 10 to 20 percent.
Aside from the CPU, the dv7 also offers a new ATI Radeon graphics card with 1GB of GDDR5 dedicated graphics memory. Other standard features include 6GB of RAM, a 1TB hard drive, 1600x900 display, and Blu-ray drive.
Several other Sandy Bridge-powered notebooks have surfaced in other parts of the world, including an early appearance in Malaysia and another in Singapore. A slew of devices are likely to be unveiled next week at CES, where Intel will formally launch the new processor family.
