Intel Core i5 661 3.33 GHz

[Omega]

Intel's new Core i5 661 processor combines graphics controller, memory controller, PCI-Express interface and a Dual Core all inside one compact processor package. Utilizing Intel's latest 32 nm process there is quite some added potential for power saving and overclocking, but is the integrated chipset up to the task too?

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[Disparia]

Very true conclusion. If was building new boxes for my last job I'd be using i3 (Sales, CSR, Managers) and i7 (IT). i5 is the bastard middle child your wife had with the milkman.

-edit-

Damn their naming scheme, can't easily discriminate against a whole line. I'd also use the upper-end i5's.

 

[TheLaughingMan]

This is exactly what I expected when some on the GPU review for this chip requested a review for the CPU. It is exactly what pretty much everyone here said when Intel announced they would be doing this.

With this chip though, I expect to see some of the 11" and 10" netbooks get some bonuses beyond a power boost from this chip. They can redesign the mobo, since the IGP chip will not be needed, and get some extra space for 2.5 sized HDD's, slim disk drive, larger batteries, etc. They can squeeze in 1 or 2 of these would be really nice.

 

[[I.R.A]_FBi]

This processor is win, pure win

 

[Anonimo]

TPU could add min values to the game graphs, as they often tell you if it is playable, barely playable, unplayable, etc.

 

[Darksaber]

Looking to grab one of these to use on a P55. I really do not care about the GPU section, just need something that OCs well...

 

[Omega]

I'd rather go with Core i5 750 @ 4 GHz than Core i5 661 @ 5 GHz

 

[erocker]

Is Intel planning to make a true dual core (no IGP) based on i5 or i7?

Excellent review Omega!

 

[Omega]

Thanks
Unfortunately, Intel will not be making dual core westmere processors without IGP. That would require yet another core design (cpu+imc+pcie). I would recommend anyone buying new LGA1156 platform to go with H55/H57 mobo. It will give you better control over IGP part of the processor in the future whether you're using IGP or external graphics.

 

[So3oL4Nu]

My E8600 does 4.5 @ 1.35, where is the point ?

SATA III and USB 3.0 it's the only reason to upgrade.

 

[Mac Daddy]

I'd rather go with Core i5 750 @ 4 GHz than Core i5 661 @ 5 GHz

I am thinking of picking up an i5 750 actually quite impressed with it. This one works well though and excellent review

 

[LagunaX]

My E8600 does 4.5 @ 1.35, where is the point ?

SATA III and USB 3.0 it's the only reason to upgrade.

Hey man, I see you've come a long way from learning to overclock on an Asus p5k and made it to 4.5ghz

 

[Omega]

My E8600 does 4.5 @ 1.35, where is the point ?

Review for Core i3 models is in production and there will be direct comparison to Q8x00, E8x00 and some other LGA 775 processors, so hopefully you'll see where's the point.

Core i5 661 in this review was compared to similar price tag competitors, and overclocking potential is of minor importance for 90% of users when doing a cpu upgrade.

 

[angelkiller]

Thanks
Unfortunately, Intel will not be making dual core westmere processors without IGP. That would require yet another core design (cpu+imc+pcie). I would recommend anyone buying new LGA1156 platform to go with H55/H57 mobo. It will give you better control over IGP part of the processor in the future whether you're using IGP or external graphics.

I'm still not clear on the differences between P55 and H55/H57. I mean I know the obvious differences like H55/H57 hsa the FDI and all, but are there any major differences? Same chip with FDI added maybe?

 

[NeSeNVi]

Review for Core i3 models is in production and there will be direct comparison to Q8x00, E8x00 and some other LGA 775 processors, so hopefully you'll see where's the point.

This is what I am looking forward. Glad to hear this info.

Also I wish I could see comparison with energy efficient AMD Phenom II (705e, 905e)...

 

[Omega]

Also I wish I could see comparison with energy efficient AMD Phenom II (705e, 905e)...

"e" models are not available at the moment.

I'm still not clear on the differences between P55 and H55/H57. I mean I know the obvious differences like H55/H57 hsa the FDI and all, but are there any major differences? Same chip with FDI added maybe?

That is correct human
P55/H55/H57 are all very similar chips differentiated with FDI and RAID support. Here's block diagram for all three chipsets:

 

[Solaris17]

just FYI

excellent article btw

 

[Omega]

fixed, thanks

 

[kid41212003]

The idle power consuming for the CPU itself is missing...

 

[Omega]

The idle power consuming for the CPU itself is missing...

Read the text explanation above graphs to understand what measurements they represent.

 

[Initialised]

Hey man, I see you've come a long way from learning to overclock on an Asus p5k and made it to 4.5ghz

I fried a P5K and my first Q6600 with misguided attempt to use TEC cooling, so well done for not killing it! We all had to start somewhere *dreams of AMD K62 and fiddling with DIP switches*

In answer to the why because these CPUs can do 4.5GHz on a CM-TX3 and uATX board and out perform Core 2 Duo clock-for-clock. I'm seriously tempted to swap out my 3.2GHz P4-HT media box with one of these.

The only problem I had running it at 4.5GHz was that the GPU kept giving me 'Display Driver has stopped working' errors, no both once I put a 5670 on though. I'd like to see a budget variant of this chip without the GPU but I doubt it will happen.

 

[Midianite]

I'm dissappointed by the small amount of cache