Intel Intros Core i5 680 and Pentium E5500

Intel silently introduced two new dual-core processors, the high-end Core i5 680, and the value-segment Pentium Dual-Core E5500. The first is an LGA1156 chip that runs on Intel P55, H55, H57, Q55, Q57 chipsets, while the last is an LGA775 chip that works on most recent LGA775 motherboards.

The first of the processors is the Intel Pentium E5500. As the weaker of the duo, it has a front-side bus of 800MHz, 2MB of L2 cache memory, a clock speed of 2.80Ghz and two threads. This CPU is compatible with socket LGA 775 motherboards and will be aimed at the mainstream and users from the entry-level market, as they are unlikely to afford the higher price points of Intel Core CPUs, even though the extra power usually offsets the extra costs.

Speaking of Core Series central processors, the second newcomer to Intel's desktop-aimed collection can be seen as the strongest dual core hailing from Santa Clara to date. Predictably designed for the LGA 1156 socket, it has 4 threads, 4MB L3 cache memory, integrated graphics and a thermal design power of 73W. Obviously, the clock is what makes this chip stand out, at 3.6GHz, which is higher than even that of the Core i5-670 (3.46GHz).

The Pentium E5500 is based on the 45nm manufacturing process, whereas the new Core i5 is constructed on the more advanced and energy efficient 32nm technology. They can be found with price tags of $75 and $294, respectively, and, the Core i5-680 at least, should also show up as an option on high-end desktop systems soon.