Dual-Channel Core i7

The Intel Core i7 quad-core desktop processor will soon also come in a version with integrated dual-channel DDR3 memory controller

Don't do a double-take. You read that right. Intel Core i7 quad-core desktop processor with Dual-Channel integrated memory controller, not Triple-Channel. For those who know the Core i7, you'll know it supports triple memory modules, so to go backwards and support dual memory modules is a shocker! So why is Intel doing this?

Because the Core i5 desktop processors will be coming out, which comes with an integrated dual-channel memory controller, so offering the Core i7 with the same feature allows users to select from the middle-range Core i5 or the high-end Core i7 while keeping their current dual memory modules from the previous Core 2-class of desktop processors. Want to know more?

By the way, this is of course, assuming you were using DDR3 memory and not DDR2, as some previous desktop boards which supported the Core 2-class of desktop processors only supported DDR2 memory. If that's the case then you can also consider going for the triple-channel Core i7 since you'll be upgrading your memory anyway! This new dual-channel Core i7 is designed for users who already are using DDR3 memory, but want more power than the Core i5.

So what happens to the triple-channel Core i7? It will still be there as a top-end quad-core desktop processor, and for those who are willing to buy new triple memory modules, as well as need more memory, specifically if they're using an x64 (64-bit) operating system, which can use beyond 4GB of memory.

How would you know the difference then between a dual- and triple-channel Core i7? The triple-channel still maintains the LGA1366 processor socket while the new dual-channel Core i7 and i5 (as well as entry-level dual-core i3) will use the LGA1156 processor socket instead. That's right, there'll also be a Core i3 dual-core entry-level desktop processor for those who don't even need the power of the Core i5.

The new LGA1156 processors will be supported by desktop boards powered with Intel's P55 board controller (chipset), while the LGA1366 Core i7 processor will continue to be supported by Intel's X58 chipset. That's not the end of the Core i7 triple-channel class processors though. Intel will also release the Core i9, a six-core desktop processor for the Core i7 platform.

Stay tuned for more updates about these new processors if you're confused about them.

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Coming Soon - Intel Core i5

There's a new processor (CPU - Central Processing Unit) coming out from silicon (sand) by Intel soon - the Core i5 (as well as the i3). Yes, they're related to the i7, which is pretty much the best desktop CPU on the planet.

The main difference between the i7 and the i5 and i3 is that unlike the i7, the i5 and i3 will use a dual-channel memory module system instead, just like pre-i7 desktop platforms. While the i7 introduced triple-channel, the i5 and i3 are designed for middle-range or mainstream (i5) and entry-level (i3) desktops. But what chipset will it need?

If the i7 used the Intel X58 chipset, then the i5 and i3 will use the P55 chipset (for a start), followed by the various other desktop board chipsets that will come later. Since the i5 and i3 will be dual-channel, the contact pins on the CPU will also be less (1156 compared to the i7's 1366).

Other highlights of this new P55 chipset includes the new SATA3 (6Gbps or 600MBps) support (the ports remain the same just like how USB 3.0 ports look the same but support the newer speed - but that's not out yet though!).

SATA3 is designed for SSD (Solid State Drives), not HDD (Hard Disc Drive), as SSDs are faster since they work like USB Flash drives, since both are Flash drives, based on Flash memory. HDDs don't really make full use of SATA2 (3Gbps or 300MBps), so SATA3 is actually for SSDs.

Updated 15th July 2009 - However, PC Perspective has reported that ASUS (the largest board maker around), as well as Gigabyte (and maybe even MSI), who together make up the Big 3 Board Makers, have pulled the SATA3 feature from their upcoming P55 boards due to some problem with the Marvell 88SE9123 chip which powers SATA3 (apparently it can't go to 6Gbps speeds).

Anyway, the new P55 chipset is also a Southbridge, as the Northbridge is finally gone. In the X58 chipset, the Northbridge was a just a controller hub.

So while you need a new board and CPU cooler for the i5 and i3, you can use the same dual-channel DDR3 memory modules from the Intel 3 Series (depends on board) and 4 Series boards. Some might say it's a step backward, but some might say it's a step forward to bring the Core 2-class of CPUs to the i-class of CPU, while keeping the memory standard for mainstream.

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