Core i3, Core i5 Dual-Core Processor Model Numbers Surface

Just weeks ago, there was recent news on Intel Core i3 and Core i5 processors coming to the market in Q1 2010. Unfortunately, little information was known about them, aside from the fact that both Core i3 and Core i5 will be mainstream processors. However, recent information, including projected prices as well as some of the processor's model numbers, have surfaced.

If you don't recall, Core i3 lack three different things included in Core i5's:

1. Intel Trusted eXecution Technology (TXT), a set of features that enhance security using hardware-based mechanisms
2. Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d), an enhancement to the virtualization capabilities
3. Turbo Boost technology, a feature that assesses processor load, powers-down one of the two cores, and overclocks the active core, all automatically, and on the fly

The line up, as of right now, stands:

• Core i3 530 -2.93 GHz
• Core i3 540 -3.06 GHz
• Core i5 650 -3.20 GHz, with Turbo Boost speed of 3.43 GHz
• Core i5 660 -3.33 GHz, with Turbo Boost speed of 3.60 GHz
• Core i5 670 -3.43 GHz, with Turbo Boost speed of 3.73 GHz

Core i5 models have model numbers beginning in the 600 series, and take off where the 500 series Core i3 processors leave. Price-wise, Core i3 dual-core processors might range between US $123~$143. On the other hand, expect Core i5 dual-core prices to be between $176~$284.

Core i3's and Core i5's will feature two cores, and with HyperThreading technology, there will be four CPU threads. Each core has a dedicated L2 cache of 256 KB, while a 4 MB L3 cache is shared between two cores.

Finally, Intel's first sub-$100 Pentium dual-core offering based on this architecture will be called Pentium G6950. It will be clocked at 2.80 GHz and will have features nearly identical to that of the Core i3, except for that it has 3 MB of available L3 cache, and HyperThreading will not be supported. All Clarkdale based processors so far, carry TDP rating of 73W.