Intel Core i7 2600K & i5 2500K "Sandy Bridge" Review - PAGE 1

Intel based processors, whether they are Nehalem, Clarkdale, Lynnfield, or Gulftown based, enjoy a strong core-for-core performance advantage over the competition from AMD. Today Intel looks to increase that performance gap even further with the release of their Second Generation Core architecture, codenamed Sandy Bridge. The Sandy Bridge launch will consist of notebook and desktop processors that range from entry-level options in the $100 dollar price range to the more enthusiast-grade processors that can exceed a $300 premium. This will allow Intel to offer the Sandy Bridge architecture across all market segments.

The new processors, unlike recent Intel releases, are not a refresh of the current generation’s core design, as the Sandy Bridge processors include optimizations to the die size, frequencies, transistor count and architecture to increase the performance of both the CPU and integrated graphics processor. This should allow the new processors to perform better than any current generation LGA-1156 based processors. Additionally they should be able to hold their own in comparison to the high-end LGA-1366 based processors, but with the improved architecture the Sandy Bridge chips could give them a good run for their money.

To utilize the Sandy Bridge architecture, Intel is releasing a new LGA-1155 socket that supports their new consumer 6-series chipsets. The motherboards based on the 6-series design can either utilize the high-end P67 Express option or the mainstream H67 Express. Each chipset can support all of Intel’s Second Generation Core processors, but they also come with a feature set that is more beneficial to specific market they are intended for.

In this review we will be looking at two of the new Sandy Bridge processors along with two Intel motherboards based on the P67 and H67 Express chispets.

Pricing

At $215 and $317 respectively, the Intel Core i5 2500K and i7 2600K effectively replaces much of Intel's mid to high-end line up. The 980X is safe at the $950 price segment, but with the Sandy Bridge processors available, the LGA 1156 socket is going to be phased out. Depending on the performance, they might be a better option than any LGA 1366 processor below the Gulftown performance level.