Final thoughts and rating
After covering the architecture in detail and then going through all the numbers, we're in a good position to judge the merits of Intel's all-new Core i3, Core i5, and Core i7 chips that are based on 32nm Westmere technology and fit into LGA1156 motherboards.Aimed at the mainstream desktop and mobile markets, the new chips integrate dual-core processing and a GPU on separate dies, linked together with a fast interconnect. Pragmatically, this makes design of supporting motherboards simpler - a great boon for space-restricted systems such as laptops.
With 11 the 17 new chips being released today designed for notebooks, it is clear where Intel sees the new range fitting in best, and a reduction in manufacturing process and associated die-space savings make the initial batch of 32nm chips particularly suited to mobile platforms.
Make no mistake about it, the integration of CPU and GPU will continue unabated for the mainstream market from here on in. Intel's got there first with Westmere; AMD will follow with its own interpretations a year or so later.
We can see the new 32nm chips usurping incumbent Core 2 Duo, especially for laptops, and giving system-builders a headache when specifying mid-range machines. Core 2 Quad, AMD Phenom II X3/X4, Intel Core i3, Core i5: which one to go for?
So whilst the integration is elegant and the underlying architecture is solid, should you buy a desktop 32nm chip? Taking the reviewed Intel Core i5 661 into account, priced at £145, it brings considerable competition into the fray.
AMD can provide you with a native quad-core chip - its fastest, as well - and a motherboard with decent integrated graphics for the same kind of money. Intel, too, can also offer a quad-core chip and older-generation graphics... and both will beat out dual-core Core i5 661 in CPU-intensive tasks.
Taken as a platform and evaluated across all benchmarks, including power consumption and rudimentary gaming, the Core i5 661 offers reasonable value for money, but Intel would do well to reduce the price by around 10 per cent if it really wants to push this new chip. We'd be more inclined to look towards the £80 Core i3 530, if value for money is a concern.
All in all, Intel's latest desktop and mobile chips use a leading architecture and package-level die integration to provide a compelling platform for mid-range desktop and notebook machines in 2010. The design's revolutionary but the performance, given the price, is just above average for the Core i5 661.
By catering for the mainstream, where business machines are bought in the millions, Intel is well-placed with the 32nm Westmere chips... and that, we reckon, was precisely the aim with the new architecture. Core 2 is dead, long live 32nm Core i3/i5/i7.
HEXUS Rating
We consider any product score above '50%' as a safe buy. The higher the score, the higher the recommendation from HEXUS to buy. Simple, straightforward buying advice.
The rating is given in relation to the category the component(s) competes in, therefore the Core i5 661 is evaluated with respect to our 'mid-range components' criteria, where value plays a larger part in the overall score.
Intel Core i5 661 (at £145)
HEXUS Awards
Innovation and solid performance all the hallmarks of 32nm Core i3/i5/i7.
Intel 32nm Core i3/i5/i7
HEXUS Where2Buy
TBC.HEXUS Right2Reply
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