Intel's new Clarkdale and Arrandale processors launched, benchmarked, and judged from all angles

This year's newest dual-core Core i3 and i5 processors (codenamed Arrandale and Clarkdale) have just been officially launched by Intel and already Anandtech has put up data on performance, among other things. The new Clarkdale processors, which will fall under the desktop category, will run on Intel's LGA 1156 socket and all existing P55 motherboards will support them with a proper BIOS update (all seven of them, ranging from the high-end Intel Core i5-670 which will retail at nearly $300 USD and the entry-level Intel Core i3-530 which is already on pre-sale at PC Hub Gilmore).

Meanwhile, Intel also plans to launch entirely new motherboards with integrated graphics in the form of the H55, H57 and Q57 chipsets. Apparently, this is where Intel's new processors shine, giving integrated graphics a new leash on life both on the desktop as well as the laptop category, with Arrandale taking care of things in the mobile department (with no less than 11 mobile Arrandale CPUs, at that).

So, there's a slight increase in performance in terms of computing power and graphics processing with Clarkdale and Arrandale, but not enough to warrant their slightly ridiculous price tags, which I've already pointed out on several occasions. But why should you take my word for it? Go on and read Anandtech's review of the new processors for yourself, with two clear links as sources below.

Source: [Anandtech - Arrandale review, Clarkdale review]

Intel says NVIDIA's Ion platform overkill for 3D gaming, suggests upgrade to Clarkdale and Arrandale instead

Intel's stance on 3D gaming and multimedia consumption on netbooks is a bit hard to comprehend. On one hand, they think of NVIDIA's Ion platform as overkill for applications such as 1080p video playback and light 3D gaming. This is according to Anil Nanduri, Intel's netbook marketing director who said in an interview with Laptop Magazine: "We believe (Ion) adds unnecessary additional cost and the other trade-offs make it less desirable."

However, writing on one of Intel's own blogs, corporate communications manager Bill Calder says, "[Netbooks] aren't for 3D gaming and multi-tasking. For that Intel offers a wide range of full-featured laptops including some exciting new Intel Core systems based on our latest 32nm process technology coming soon." Then he links to a report on CNet where it says that Intel's upcoming Clarkdale and Arrandale family of processors will be on the market very soon.

So, they think the combination of a good enough processor in the form of the Atom coupled with a great mobile graphics processor in NVIDIA's Ion platform is too much, and yet go on to suggest a move to full-featured laptops which are far more overkill and overpriced for the tasks that Ion is able to achieve, for less money. And they say, "the market is going to decide." Well, who do you think is deciding now?

Source: [LaptopMag, Liliputing, Technology@Intel]

Upcoming Intel Core i3 and i5 CPU prices revealed by Enigma Technologies

A local computer parts reseller (which also happens to be an Intel Channel Partner Premier Member) called Enigma Technologies has just listed three of Intel's upcoming LGA1156 desktop processors in their latest online price list. The said processors are the Intel Core i3 530, Core i3 540, and the Core i5 650; all of which fall under Intel's Clarkdale family of processors done on a 45nm process and have a 133 MHz FSB.

The local prices, according to Enigma Technologies, are going to be 5,900 Pesos, 6,900 Pesos and 9,100 Pesos respectively. With all of these being dual core Clarkdale processors clocked at 3.2GHz and below, the pricing is a bit ridiculous--especially when you consider than the quad-core Intel Core i5 750 processor sells for just 9,500 Pesos these days. But anyway, prices are probably subject to change, and of course you're free to look elsewhere for possibly lower prices. Still, it sort of makes you wonder: why did Intel even bother?

Source: [Enigma Technologies Philippines (PDF pricelist)]