Archive for category: Processors

Intel Core i7-3820 Quad-Core Core Processor Review

Intel Core i7-3820 Quad-Core Core Processor Review

When Intel released their new Sandy Bridge-E Processors late last year there was the flagship processor the i7-3930K which has a price tag of $599 and the I7-3930X which has an even more staggering price tag of $999.  When these processors were announced there was word of a more budget-friendly processor that would be out in Q1 of this year.  It is here in the form of the Core i7-3820.  This processor features 4 cores, features Intel’s Hyperthreading technology for up to 8 threads, a default clock speed of 3.6GHz with a turbo speed of 3.9GHz, 10MB of Intel Smart Cache, and this processor is built on the 32nm process.  This processor puts Intel’s X79 platform in the reach of many people with a price tag that is half of the i7-3930K at $300.  Read on to see what this processor is all about.

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Intel Core i5-2500K LGA 1155 “Sandy Bridge” Processor Review

Intel Core i5-2500K LGA 1155 “Sandy Bridge” Processor Review

The word Sandy Bridge is what we have been hearing for the past 3 months.  In forums, on different websites and even on the news.  Sandy Bridge is the codename for Intel’s new 32nm processor architecture.  This new architecture brings on-die graphics to a whole new level and still has all of the same features we saw on the Nehalem architecture.  It adds even more with Turbo Boost Technology 2.0, Intel Quick Sync Video, Intel InTru 3D, and AVX (Advanced Vector Extensions) instructions.  With this new architecture Intel is releasing 11 desktop processors, we will be taking the Core i5-2500K through the paces, read on to check it out!

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Intel Core i5 661 Dual Core LGA 1156 Processor Review

Intel Core i5 661 Dual Core LGA 1156 Processor Review

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!

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Intel Core i7 860 LGA 1156 Processor Review

Intel Core i7 860 LGA 1156 Processor Review

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!

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AMD Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition Socket AM3 Triple Core Processor Review

AMD Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition Socket AM3 Triple Core Processor Review

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!

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AMD Phenom II X4 940 Black Edition Processor Review

AMD Phenom II X4 940 Black Edition Processor Review

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!

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Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 Processor Review

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 Processor Review

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!

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