While Intel's Core i7 line of processors remains out of reach of many, the less-expensive Core i5 is coming, bringing this new generation of technology to a greater consumer-base.

On Chinese site Xfastest some of the first benchmarks appeared for the new Core i5 -- though it appears they have since been taken down. The site tested a Core i5 running at 2.66GHz, and pitted against a Phenom II.

As Core i7's often out-perform Phenom II parts running at the same clock speed, so it seems did the Core i5 not have much trouble getting around Phenom II in Xfastest's tests. The benchmarks were done on a reference Intel motherboard and the Core i5 clocked at 2.66GHz seemed to put in better numbers than a Phenom II X4 955 running at 3.2GHz.

The Core i5 is expected to be released in the third quarter of this year. They will be 45nm, use the new LGA-1156 scoket, and have will have 4 cores.