Intel Core i5 750 Purchased, Unboxed and Photographed

Santa Clara, California-based Intel is scheduled to introduce its next-generation mainstream platform for desktop computer systems, which will mark the debut of the company's latest line of Core i7 and Core i5 processors, alongside the new P55 Express Chipset. According to recent reports, the new processors are expected to arrive sometime

early next month, but there are reports indicating that these new CPUs are already available for purchase at some retailers. On that note, it looks like somewhere in Russia someone was able to purchase one of Intel's yet-unveiled Core i5 750 chips, designed for the upcoming LGA 1156 socket.

Pictures of the boxed processor have been published on this Russian website, providing us with some insight on Intel's next generation of desktop CPUs. The aforementioned model has been designed to work on the upcoming P55-based motherboards, featuring the LGA 1156 socket. Meant for the mainstream and high-end market segments, the Core i5 750 processor comes with a standard clock frequency of 2.66GHz and can be boosted to an impressive 3.2GHz using Intel's new Turbo Boost technology. As mentioned in previous articles, the CPU will boast an integrated dual-memory DDR3 controller, 8MB of L3 cache and a 95W TDP.

As you will see in the available pictures, the Core i5 processor will be available in one of Intel's latest box designs, featuring the company's new processor badges and a small identifier on the lower-left corner of the box, which will provide the end-user with details on the processor model and socket compatibility. Inside the blue box, there's the Lynnfield-based CPU and Intel's stock cooler, which looks rather small, indicating that the chip runs pretty cool.

According to the website, the price tag for this model will be at around US$196, which is relatively good, compared to some of the previous reports.

Recent Hack Enables SLI on P45 Motherboards

Intel, the world's leading vendor of computer processors, and NVIDIA, the inventor of the GPU and a leading vendor of discrete desktop graphics cards, haven't exactly been best buddies in recent years. Two of the world's leading chip makers have recently engaged in a legal dispute over the latter’s licensing rights to manufacture chipsets for the former's next-generation computer processors, including the current Nehalem-based Core i7s. Aside from that, Intel's chipsets, besides the current X58 for high-performance platforms, haven't delivered support for NVIDIA's multi-GPU SLI technology, which would allow users to improve their system's graphics by adding another GeForce card. However, that problem could be fixed, according to recent details that have surfaced on the Internet.

In a recent forum post on the Chinese version of the Expreview website, a user titled Firewings [CCG] has published a series of photos of a system running on an X38-enabled ASUS Maximum Formula motherboard that had two GeForce graphics cards enabled in SLI. Interestingly enough, the two cards were an NVIDIA GeForce 8600GT and one GeForce GTX 260, meaning that the SLI was enabled with two different generations of GPUs.

The fellows over at Expreview have contacted the user and ran a test of their own, to validate the results. Their platform included an Intel QX9650 OC (4GHz) processor, on a Maximum II Formula motherboard with one Yeston GeForce GTX260+ 896GD3 and one Galaxy GeForce GTX 260+ graphics card. According to them, enabling the SLI required a software application delivered by the aforementioned user and running the system in Directory Services Restore Mode. Apparently, there are still some problems that restrict the SLI from being enabled in normal mode, but the user claims that these issues will soon be fixed.

He says that he still needs to test the application on several motherboards before launching it to other enthusiasts looking to take advantage of it.

Softpedia doesn't encourage users to mess with their motherboard's factory settings. This article is purely meant for informational purposes and doesn't, in any way, suggest that you should hack your motherboard or other hardware component.

Intel Intros New Power-Efficient Xeon L5530 Processor

Santa Clara, California-based Intel, the world's leading vendor of computer processors, has recently updated its line of high-performance Nehalem-based Xeon 5500 series of server processors with the addition of the new L5530, a low-power version of the chip maker's current flagship line, the aforementioned 5500-series. The new CPU has been designed to provide customers with a more energy-efficient alternative to the

company's high-performance server and workstation processors, featuring a TDP of 60W, down from the 80W featured on the regular Xeon 5500-series CPUs. In addition, Chipzilla also introduced a new workstation processor.
The new model, which has been recently leaked on the Internet in a news-story about the company's upcoming processor lineup, has been set to work at a core speed of 2.4GHz. Unlike the current Xeon 5500-series chips, which work at 80W TDP, the new L5530 has been featured with a TDP of 60W, increasing its energy efficiency and allowing for the development of cooler-running systems. However, at the core of the new processors lies the same architecture with four cores and 8MB cache, ready to provide customers with the necessary performance for running the latest applications.
Alongside the new low-power Xeon, Intel has also introduced new processors designed for workstation systems, namely the Xeon X5590 and the W3580 and W3550, designed for single-socket workstations. According to specifications, these new CPUs will provide users with clock frequencies of 3.33GHz for the dual-socket W5590 and the single-socket W3580, while the W3550 will boast a core speed of 3.06GHz.
The introduction of the new Xeon chips indicates that the world's leading chip maker is getting ready to announce the launch of its much-anticipated Lynnfield processors and the new P55 mainstream platform. This event is expected sometime early next month, providing users with a choice for a new desktop computer platform.

Rumor Mill: Dell and Intel Collaborating on Tablet/E-Book Reader

According to recent reports, Round Rock, Texas-based Dell and the world's leading chip maker Intel are currently collaborating on a project to announce the introduction of a new tablet/e-book reader device that is to give Amazon's Kindle a run for its money. With features like touchscreen display, said device is slated for launch early next year. One of the tablet's biggest features is that it will be made available as a

subscription-based e-reader, enabling users to view newspapers, magazines and other media.

The fellows over at Wired.com have received word from a “well-connected industry executive” that two of the industry's biggest players, Intel and Dell, are currently collaborating on the development of a new touchscreen tablet that is due out later this year. There are few details available at this time, but it looks like Dell's upcoming tablet will measure about 5-inches, making it slightly larger than Apple's iPhone, although smaller than one of its potential competitors, the Amazon Kindle. Intel's part in the venture is obviously related to the hardware specifications of said device, which could be powered by a low-power Atom processor.

Interestingly enough, it looks like Dell has also come up with a way to better compete with the Amazon Kindle, providing users with the choice of getting said tablet for free, granted that they sign one or several subscriptions to digital newspapers or magazines. What this basically means is that the device could be free to those users who will sign up for enough subscriptions.

There aren't many details to go on for the time being, but it looks like the tablet market is starting to grow, with ongoing rumors of Apple also planning its own tablet device. The Cupertino, California-based company could see itself competing with the likes of Dell, Sony and many others for a place in the increasingly popular market segment.

Atom Z-Series Rumors, '100% Inaccurate' Intel Says

Late last week there was a rumor that claimed Intel, the world's leading vendor of microprocessors, informed its customers that it had decided to stop accepting orders for its line of low-power Atom Z processors. The rumor continued by stating that several netbook vendors that had already placed their orders would receive said chips, but new orders would not be accepted. On that note, it appears that the rumor has recently

reached the ears of the Santa Clara, California-based chips maker, which has immediately rejected the claims.

Speculation initially started due to a news-article on Digitimes citing Taiwan sources that claimed Chipzilla told its OEM customers that it would stop accepting orders for the Atom Z series of processors. These parts were used in a couple of ultraportable netbook systems, like Sony Vaio P, which meant that these systems could soon get a hardware refresh or be phased out of the market.

Picking up the story, the fellows over at Register Hardware have gotten in touch with the Santa Clara, California-based chip maker, which has reportedly denied the aforementioned rumors. An Intel spokeswoman has told Register Hardware that “Rumours of ‘industry sources’ stating that Intel is no longer taking orders for Atom Z processors or ending production by end of year are 100% inaccurate.” The chip maker hasn't made any comments regarding the claim that the discontinued Atom Z-series will help it set a clearer boundary between netbooks and mobile Internet devices.

This is the second time in the recent days that a rumor about the company's product roadmap has been denied by the leading chip maker. Earlier this month, there were rumors (which Intel also denied) according to which its next-generation Pine Trail platform would be delayed until early 2010. We will try to keep you posted as soon as more details emerge.

Intel Reportedly Suspends Atom Z Series

Santa Clara, California-based Intel is said to have informed its customers that it will no longer accept orders for its Atom Z processors from netbook makers. The world's leading chip maker is said to be preparing to free its inventory of said parts, according to industry sources. Although these are currently rumors, it looks like the company wants to better distinguish the line between netbook processors and MID processors, as it prepares to launch its next-generation MID and netbook platforms, codenamed

Moorestown and Pine Trail, respectively.

According to a recent news-article on Digitimes, citing the never-restless industry sources, Intel has told its customers that it will no longer accept orders for its line of Atom Z processors. The company is expected to completely stop the supply of said chips to the netbook market, before the end of this year. The move, according to Digitimes sources, is justified by the chip maker's attempt to better define the line between CPUs targeting netbooks and those that are designed for Mobile Internet Devices. This will allow Intel to better position its products for two of the most active segments in the PC market.

The company will continue to ship the low-power Atom Z processors to those customers that have already ordered the parts. Such companies include names like Acer, ASUSTeK and Micro-Star International, all of which have been present on the netbook market since the early days. It's yet unclear how this move will impact Sony's ultraportable Vaio P, which is probably the most talked-about Atom Z-powered laptop on the market.

Netbook vendors that have built systems using said processor family will have to refresh their product lines with updated configurations of the low-power systems. This is also consistent with current rumors that the Vaio P will be getting a refresh in October.