ASRock introduced a new entry-level, low-cost P55DE3 socket LGA-1156 motherboard, based on the Intel P55 chipset, supporting Intel Core i5 and Core i7 "Lynnfield" processors. Its simple design employs a 4+1 phase power circuit for the CPU VRM, four DDR3 memory slots to support up to 16 GB of memory, that boast of support for DDR3-2400+ by overclocking, two PCI-Express x16 slots, of which the second (orange) slot wired to the P55 PCH and provides electrical PCI-E x4 connection, and two each of PCI-E x1, and PCI. Two of the chipset's six SATA 3 Gb/s ports are permanently assigned as eSATA, with four available internally. The CPU socket area provides mounting holes for LGA-1156 and LGA-775 coolers. Gigabit Ethernet and 8-channel HD audio make for the rest of it. The ASRock P55DE3 is selling for as little as 87 EUR.

Gigabyte's embracing new technologies such as USB 3.0 and SATA 6 Gbps in making motherboards has taken the shape of an entire series of motherboards, which intends to cover every price point the company was eying with its large socket LGA-1156 motherboard lineup. The series is designated by GA-P55A before the model identifier. The series is lead by the high-end GA-P55A-UD6, followed (in order) by GA-P55A-UD5, GA-P55A-UD4P, GA-P55A-UD4, GA-P55A-UD3P, GA-P55A-UD3R, and GA-P55A-UD3. All of these are ATX motherboards. Some of these, such as the UD4s, UD5, and UD6, are multi-GPU friendlier with PCI-Express 2.0 x16 slots that split into x8, and share 8 lanes with the next slot, while in lower models, the second PCI-E x16 slot is electrical x4, and wired to the P55 PCH. In all these motherboards, the SATA 6 Gb/s ports are two in number, and are color-coded white. Similarly, USB 3.0 ports on all these models are two in number, and color-coded blue, located on the rear-panel. These motherboards support socket LGA-1156 processors from Intel, currently available as the quad-core Core i5, and Core i7 "Lynnfield" series. It remains unclear whether all of these new models replace the existing GA-P55 series motherboards (that lack USB 3.0 and SATA 6 Gb/s) from the market, or somehow coexist at slightly higher price-points. What is certain however, is that you need to pay attention to the model names, and look out for P55A in the model names, since the rest of the nomenclature is identical. Detailed specifications are found in the specs sheets below.

Intel's socket LGA-1156 quad-core processors are closely trailed by the company's first processors based on the 32 nm manufacturing process: Core i5 and Core i3 "Clarkdale" dual-core processors. Engineering samples of these processors were evaluated as early as Q2 2009, but one of the first attempts to show the processors' overclocking potential using air-cooling was made very recently. Even prior to that, a low-voltage overclocking feat by Coolaler showed how engineering samples didn't particularly struggle reaching clock speeds close to 4.00 GHz with vCore as low as 0.832V. Romanian tech community Lab501. Lab501 community leader "Monstru" tested the overclocking headroom of a Core i5 650 LGA-1156 dual-core processor (engineering sample) with air-cooling.

The test-bed included a Gigabyte P55 motherboard, the Core i5 650 processor was cooled by a Noctua NH-U12P, onto which a Coolink SWIF 2 120P fan was strapped. A clock speed of 4.70 GHz (25 x 188 MHz) was achieved (nearly 50% over the stock clock speed of 3.20 GHz). A core voltage of 1.424V was used. A point here to note however, is that the retail Core i5 650 will come with an upwards-locked bus frequency multiplier of 24 (24 x 133 MHz = 3.20 GHz). The processor at 4.70 GHz, was Prime95-stable for over 30 minutes. With an ambient temperature of 24 °C, the two cores heated up to 77 and 68 °C, not to forget that the processor was being air-cooled. Although with the use of an engineering sample (since the retail launch of this processor is tentatively three months away), the scope for inference of this feat is limited, it gives you a coarse indication that Intel is keeping the trend of ferociously fast dual-core processors alive. High(er) overclocking headroom on air-cooling is the fruition of the 32 nm process. Slated for Q1 2010, the siblings (and cousins) of the Core i5 650 include Core i5 660/661 (3.33 GHz, HTT), Core i5 670 (3.46 GHz, HTT), Core i3 540 (3.06 GHz, no HTT), Core i3 530 (2.93 GHz, no HTT), and Pentium G6950 (2.80 GHz, no HTT). Details of the series can be found here.

In the run up for Intel's Core i5 and Core i7 "Lynnfield" socket LGA-1156 processors, it was known that Intel will be trailing the launch with a few energy-efficient variants, that come with lower rated TDPs. Two of these, namely Core i5 750S, and Core i7 860S have made it to Coolaler's lab for a quick check up. Unlike other energy-efficient variants from Intel, in the past, such as Core 2 Quad Q9550S, these parts feature lower clock-speeds compared to their standard counterparts.

The Core i5 750S comes with a clock speed of 2.40 GHz (19.0 x 133 MHz) with a Turbo Boost speed of 3.20 GHz, and the Core i7 860S runs at 2.53 GHz, with 3.46 GHz of Turbo Boost speed. Both processors as a result, have lower TDPs of 82W, compared to 95W on the Core i5 and Core i7 "Lynnfield" processors currently in the market. They are slated for Q1 2010. Coolaler used the Turbo Boost mode to overclock these chips. The Core i7 860S with its Turbo Boost multiplier of 26.0, reached 4.536 GHz (26 x 174.47 MHz, vCore at 1.32V), while the Core i5 750S reached 3.441 GHz (24 x 143.4 MHz, vCore at 1.32V). Both were seated on an ASUS P7P55D Deluxe motherboard, with one 2 GB DDR3 memory module.

Gigabyte is readying a new socket LGA-1156 motherboard, the GA-P55A-UD4. Bearing resemblance with the GA-P55-UD4, the motherboard features upgraded connectivity, with support for USB 3.0, and SATA 6 Gb/s. The new model also features an upgraded CPU VRM, with a 12+2 phase design compared to the 8+2 phase design on the GA-P55-UD4. USB 3.0 and SATA 6 Gb/s features are provided using additional controllers on board. A Marvell-made SATA 6 Gb/s two-port controller replaces the familiar Gigabyte GSATA2 controller, while an NEC-made controller provides two USB 3.0 ports on the rear-panel. The USB 3.0 ports are color-coded blue, and share the port cluster with the lone gigabit Ethernet connector, while the SATA 6 Gb/s connectors are color-coded white, next to the usual six SATA 3 Gb/s ones the P55 PCH provides.

The rest of the feature-set remains largely same, with four DDR3 DIMM slots to support up to 16 GB of memory, two PCI-Express 2.0 x16 slots (electrically x8 when both are populated) supporting ATI CrossFireX and NVIDIA SLI, Dolby Home Theater supportive onboard audio, among other standard issues. The Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD4 will not replace GA-P55-UD4 from the market, it will coexist, albeit priced higher. It remains to be seen if this is the only "P55A" motherboard Gigabyte sells.

There was a time when for the Intel platform, you could choose between motherboards based on chipsets from four or more vendors. With the weakening and discontinuation of chipset development for the Intel platform from the likes of VIA, and SiS, and NVIDIA facing a technical and legal blockade with further development of Intel chipsets with the latest Intel processors having integrated memory controllers and the Quickpath Interconnect system interface, consumer choice is reduced to platform core logic coming only from Intel, while motherboard vendors are able to use additives such as the NVIDIA nForce 200 PCI-Express bridge chip, or even the latest LucidLogix Hydra controller, among additional SATA, SAS and Ethernet controllers, to enhance the motherboards' feature-set beyond what the chipset can provide.

Following NVIDIA making the right noises about the future of its chipset division and development of chipsets that drive Socket LGA-1156 processors, it is becoming increasingly clear that its development has hit a possible legal or technical hurdle. Until those issues are ironed out completely, NVIDIA will not invest in further development of that chipset. In a statement, NVIDIA expressed its official position of its chipset division, and where things stand specific to the products it makes. Speaking of which, NVIDIA's chipset division currently sells chipsets for Intel's FSB-driven processors, AMD's latest processors, and the ION platform, which forms the foundation of a more capable ULPC platform based on the Intel Atom processor.

PC water-cooling specialists Swiftech presented its newest CPU water block, the Apogee XT. A result of extensive competitive testing, the Apogee XT comes across as a completely redesigned block that goes beyond redesigning the retention mechanism alone. The block is made entirely of copper and brass, and has a brass housing with black chrome plating. The cold plate surface is topographically mapped to provide an optimized TIM contact with socket LGA 771, 775, 1156 and 1366 compatible processors. The inlet plate which is at the center of the block, is detachable. It supports high flow 1/4" BSPP x 1/2" fittings. Supporting Intel sockets LGA-1366, LGA-1156, and LGA-775, the Apogee XT water block sells for US $79.99.

Traditionally, a specialists in aluminum/copper fin 'ring' type CPU coolers, Zalman maintained a performance leadership till aluminum fin tower type CPU coolers took over as the better performing design. Zalman was forced to keep up with the trend, which it did with the introduction of its CNPS-10X series coolers, namely CNPS-10X Quiet, and CNPS-10X Extreme. The third one in the series, which Zalman recently made available to European stores, is the CNPS-10X Flex. This is basically a tower-type heatsink that uses a block of 56 aluminum fins (some of which are anodized black), to which heat is conveyed by five copper heat-pipes. While it does not include a fan of its own, it gives you the flexibility of using your own 120 mm fan, and allows for two fans in all. The retention module supplied supports all current CPU sockets, including LGA-1366, LGA-1156, LGA-775, and AM3/AM2+/AM2. Priced at €40, it is €10 cheaper than the CNPS-10X Quiet, enough price difference to allow you to buy a decent-quality 120 mm fan of your choice, be it performance-oriented, or quiet.

Cooling specialist Xigmatek announced its latest CPU cooler, the Balder SD1283. The Balder maintains a design similar to most other tower coolers. The design consists of a base from which three heat pipes of 8 mm diameter making direct contact with the CPU, convey heat to a dense array of aluminum alloy fins. The CPU base has a mirror finish to ensure better surface contact.

The main unit measures 120(W) x 50(D) x 159(H) mm, and weighs 700 g with fan. The 120 mm fan spins at speeds between 1000 ~ 2200 rpm, with a maximum noise output of 28 dBA. The Xigmatek Balder supports all current sockets, including LGA-1366, LGA-1156, LGA-775, and AM3/AM2+/AM2. The package includes a bolt-thru kit for the LGA sockets, and enough rubber rivets to let you attach two fans. It is priced at 32.90 EUR.

Cooling solutions OEM Akasa's newest offering is the AK-968 X4 CPU cooler. This value offering is designed to oust your stock CPU cooler for better performance at a low price. Measuring 135 (H) x 109 (W) x 90 (D) mm, and weighing 458 g, the AK-968 X4 resembles similar coolers in its category such as the Arctic Freezer 7 Pro. Its design involves a copper base plate from which three u-shaped copper heatpipes pass, conveying heat to an aluminum fin array, which is actively cooled by a 92 mm PWM-controlled fan that spins at speeds between 600 ~ 2500 rpm pushing up to 47.7 CFM of air, with a noise output of 17.0 ~ 29.5 dBA. It supports all current desktop CPU sockets, including Intel LGA-1366, LGA-1156, LGA-775, AMD s939, and AM3/AM2/AM2+. It is currently listed for £20 at a popular British etailer.

ASUS plans to expand its lineup of socket LGA-1156 motherboards based on the Intel P55 chipset, with a new model based on the micro-ATX form-factor. The ASUS P7P55-M packs most features of its larger siblings, making use of the P55 chipset's features. The four expansion slots include PCI-Express 2.0 x16, two PCI-Express x1, and one PCI. The P55 chipset provides six SATA 3 Gb/s ports, other standard features include 8 channel audio, gigabit Ethernet, and Firewire. ASUS exclusives include TurboV, TurboKey and Express Gate. The P7P55-M is expected to ship in mid-October.

Intel's foundries have commenced mass production of the company's first processors based on the 32 nm second generation high-K metal gate (HKMG) technologies. With these the company's next-generation Westmere architecture becomes retail-grade. The first products will include dual-core processors compatible with the recently introduced socket LGA-1156 platforms, and will carry the brand identifiers (and model number schemes) Core i5 600 series, Core i3 500 series, and Pentium dual-core series.

The desktop-grade parts are based on the "Clarkdale" core, and notebook-grade ones "Arrandale". The latter will be introduced first among the two, with the first Arrandale chips slated for Q4 2009, while the desktop chips arrive a little later in Q1 2010. Intel will focus on this transition to the Westmere architecture in the upcoming Intel Developer Forum event.

Thermalright today rolled out its mid-range CPU cooler offering exclusive to Intel's newest socket, LGA-1156. The Thermalright MUX-120, like most other coolers from the firm sports the trademark tower design consisting on a CPU block from which arise four 6 mm heatpipes, conveying heat to an aluminum fin array with 48 fins. The heatsink part measures 133 x 38 x 160 mm (L x W x H), and weighs 670 g (1.47 lbs). Bundled with it are Thermalright's X-Silent 120 mm fan (1200 rpm, 23.5 dBA max, and 41.8 CFM), a tube of ChillFactor 2 thermal compound, and the necessary retention parts. At the moment the cooler only supports LGA-1156, though it is believed that a future version of the MUX-120 will include support for other sockets. Although pricing isn't announced, a competitive one is expected to be set.

GlacialTech today launched its mid-range F101 CPU cooler. Unveiled back at Computex, the F101 extends support for all new sockets, while not leaving out any current ones. Its design makes use of two dissimilar-sized aluminum fin blocks that just about cover a 120 mm fan. Heat is conveyed to these using five heatpipes. The cooler measures 143 x 86 x 148 mm (L x W x H), and weighs 750 g (~1.66 lbs). It comes in two variants - F101 Silent and F101 PWM - depending on the kind of fan bundled. The former packs a 1100 ±200 rpm fan that pushes about 40 CFM of air with a noise output of 21 dBA, while the latter packs a more powerful 800~1700 rpm PWM-controlled fan, that depending on its speed, can push up to 70 CFM of air being as loud as 32 dBA. Both carry a tube of IceTherm thermal compound. As mentioned before, it supports all current CPU sockets including LGA-1366, LGA-1156, LGA-775, AM3, and AM2(+). Pricing is not known, though expect fairly acceptable prices.

Coinciding with Intel's launch of socket LGA-1156 Core i5/Core i7 processors, Lexar Media announced four Crucial DDR3 memory kits certified to work with the new platform. The four are dressed in Crucial's vanilla design that makes use of green PCBs sans heatspreaders, which may not be required considering the low voltage these modules operate on.

Coming as 2 GB (2x 1 GB) and 4 GB (2x 2 GB) capacities, the new kits in ECC and non-ECC variants. All four operate at 1333 MHz, with CAS latency of 9T, and DRAM voltage of 1.5 V. Backed by lifetime warranties, the 2 GB kits sell for 37 EUR, while the 4 GB ones for 95 EUR.

A new mainstream platform from Intel with socket LGA1156 will be released soon, and it has been already featured in medias which increases the demand for compatible CPU Coolers. Scythe did some preliminary work and most of its on-market CPU Coolers are compatible not only to the socket LGA1366 but upcoming LGA1156 as well. This was realized by developing a flexible mounting clip (patent pending) which allows mounting the CPU Cooler on socket LGA775, LGA1366 and LGA1156 by using just one clip. Users have just to slide the Push-Pins to the corresponding hole depending on socket and then just attach the CPU Cooler.

Consequently, users can therefore choose among Zipang 2, Kabuto, Kama Angle Rev. B, Ninja 2 Rev. B, Ninja Mini Rev. B, Katana 3, BIG Shuriken, and Shuriken Rev. B CPU Cooler already available in the worldwide market. Mugen 2 CPU Cooler is schedule to be compatible to socket LGA1156 but will be as "Revision B" version with completely re-worked mounting clips by middle of November 2009.

Ahead of a formal launch, pricing of socket LGA-1156 processors, an untimely leak from Newegg.com that was updating its site, spilled pricing details of a broad range of socket LGA-1156 processors and motherboards. These prices give us an indication of what prices will finally look like, in the US market, and more or less match speculated prices doing rounds for quite some time now.

To begin with, Intel Core i5 750, Core i7 models 860 and 870 are priced at $209.99, $299.99, and $579, respectively, close to the 1000 unit prices that surfaced weeks ahead. At $209.99, the 2.66 GHz Core i5 750 will be highly competitive with AMD's Phenom II X4 BE offerings in that price range. The 2.80 GHz Core i7 860 is expected to perform on par, or better than the Core i7 920, while being priced a notch higher. The Core i7 870 2.93 GHz only holds premium value at $579, since it ends up being the fastest socket LGA-1156 processor money can buy.

Noiseblocker is said to be designing its newest tower-design CPU cooler for sockets LGA-1156 and LGA-1366, called Twintec. An early drawing shows its design, with a base from which two heatpipes pass, that conduct heat to the peripheral parts of the 46 aluminum fins, while from its center emerges a 25.5 mm thick 'super-conductor' heatpipe that conveys heat to the central parts of the fins. Bundled with this heatsink is the MF12-P 120 mm fan which has a maximum noise output of 29 dBA. It should be available later this month, priced at around 64.90€.

On the launch day of Intel's socket LGA-1156 platform, when some of the first Intel Core i5, Core i7 "Lynnfield" hit stores along with compatible motherboards, MSI is planning a massive 55% discount on two of its top motherboards based on the supportive Intel P55 chipset. Included in the sale will be the high-end MSI P55-GD80 and upper-mid range P55-GD65.

Carrying an original MSRP of £139.99, the P55-GD65 can be had for as little as £63, while the P55-GD80 with its MSRP of £189 for a mere £85.5. The sale will run only on launch day, which is expected to be on this September 8. Some of the participating retailers include SCAN, Ebuyer, CCL and OverclockersUK. Purchases will be limited to one unit per customer.

PC vendors and component retailer can't wait to start selling Intel's newest performance/upper-mainstream Core i5 / Core i7 "Lynnfield" processors, and products based on the processor. This despite recent measures by Intel to curb pre-release sales of the processor, particularly in the Asian markets. A British etailer had earlier listed all three upcoming processor, with the Core i5 750 priced at ₤133.73 (excl. VAT). Now Novatech, a PC vendor started running a countdown on the product page of its Elite series gaming PC show how long it is before one can purchase its Elite Pro PC-1339 gaming desktop powered by a "New Future Intel Core I5 Processor" earlier clearly listed as Core i5 750. Showing a little over four days left to go, we can deduce that it will be around on the 8th. This confirms that consumers will be able to buy Core i5 750 and compatible motherboards on the said date. Core i5 750 is the most affordable of the three upcoming processors, and is one of the first on Intel's socket LGA-1156 platform. Intel P55 is its first supportive platform core-logic. Based on the 45 nm Lynnfield die, this monolithic quad-core processor brings about several changes to the way several components on the motherboard are located.

Noctua today presented the latest version of its successful NH-U12P series of premium quality quiet CPU coolers. The new NH-U12P SE2 now supports Intel's upcoming LGA1156 based Core i5 and Core i7 "Lynnfield" CPUs while maintaining compatibility with LGA1366, LGA775 and AM3 processors. Like the SE1366 version, the NH-U12P SE2 offers a premium value package with Noctua NT-H1 thermal compound and two NF-P12 120mm fans.

"Users loved our LGA1366 special edition of the NH-U12P cooler, but many asked whether they could get the same premium package with dual fans for other sockets as well", explains Mag. Roland Mossig, Noctua CEO. "We thought that the impending launch of Intel's new Lynnfield CPUs would be a great opportunity to come up with a new special edition that not only supports the new socket but also offers the multi-socket compatibility of the original NH-U12P, so the NH-U12P SE2 was born."

Gigabyte's recently detailed lineup of socket LGA-1156 processors includes the now-pictured P55M-UD2 entry-level motherboard based on the micro-ATX form factor. This model confirms that there will be motherboards based on the Intel P55 chipset, that are priced under US $100. Utilizing the Ultra Durable 3 construction, Gigabyte ensures low-price doesn't make way for low-quality. The socket LGA-1156 processor is powered by a 6+1 phase VRM. It is wired to four DDR3 DIMM slots for dual-channel memory. Expansion slots include one PCI-E 2.0 x16, one PCI-E x16 (electrical x4), and two PCI slots along the way.

Unlike its UD4 cousin, this board doesn't split the PCI-E x16 slot to two electrical x8 slots, and it doesn't support NVIDIA SLI technology either. ATI CrossFireX isn't left out. Of the six SATA 3 Gb/s ports the P55 PCH provides, five are internal, and one assigned as eSATA. An additional Gigabyte G-SATA controller provides two internal SATA 3 Gb/s ports and an IDE connector for two devices. Connectivity options include 10 external and four internal USB 2.0 ports, two Firewire 400 ports, eSATA, PS/2 mouse-keyboard combo connector, and 8-channel audio with optical and coaxial SPDIF output connectors. The P55M-UD2 has begun getting listings on etailers for US $99.45.

OCZ Technology Group, Inc., a worldwide leader in innovative, ultra-high performance and high reliability memory, today unveiled low-voltage DDR3 designed specifically for the upcoming Intel P55 Chipset and subsequent Intel Core i7, i5, and i3 (Socket 1156) processors. Configured for dual channel mode, these ultra-compatible 4GB kits ensure optimal performance with an ideal combination of low power requirements and high frequencies.

Developed for cost-conscious enthusiasts and gamers, these new OCZ modules were engineered with the same affordability and performance standards as the new Lynnfield platform. By using sophisticated IC screening methods and qualifying on a variety of motherboards, OCZ low-voltage kits are the perfect complement for the P55 Chipset and choice CPU to deliver the maximum stability. Together, P55 and OCZ memory are the premium option for the midrange desktops.

Foxconn's channel brand is preparing a simple, seemingly inexpensive motherboard based on the micro-ATX form factor, the P55MX. This board seats socket LGA-1156 processors, powered by a 5-phase VRM. The socket connects to two DDR3 DIMM slots, just about enough for dual-channel memory. Among its four expansion slots are a PCI-E 2.0 x16, a close-ended PCI-E x4, and two PCI slots. All six SATA ports from the PCH are assigned as internal ports, with the rest of the connectivity building on the PCH's feature-set: 8-channel HD audio, gigabit Ethernet, and for some reason, a serial port. Expect this to be priced very low, and perhaps in many branded OEM PCs.

DFI's retail-grade pack of motherboards for socket LGA-1156 platform will be lead by the LANParty Dark P55-T3eH9. Dressed in black and orange, the P55-T3eH9 sports a fairly standard feature-set for the Intel P55 chipset. The CPU socket is powered by a 6+2 phase VRM, and is wired to four DDR3 DIMM slots for dual-channel memory. Expansion slots include three PCI-Express x16, depending on what's under the heatsink south of the CPU socket, the orange slots could be (dual x16 or x8). The black slot looks like PCI-E x4, wired to the PCH. Two PCI-E x1 and PCI slots make for the rest of the expansion.

Apart from all the features the P55 PCH provides, including six SATA II ports, an additional controllers add two SATA II, an eSATA and one IDE connector for two devices. Connectivity is care of one gigabit Ethernet controller, and a number of USB ports, including one mini-USB. A high-grade HD audio codec also provides digital audio connectivity through optical and coaxial SPDIF connectors. The LANParty Dark P55-T3eH9 is expected to be priced at 175€.