Intel Introduces New Processor Family

By DE Editors

Intel Corporation introduced its 2nd Generation Intel Core processor family at a press conference at the Consumer Electronics Show. The chips are based on the company's 32nm Sandy Bridge microarchitecture.

New features include Intel Insider, Intel Quick Sync Video, and a new version of the company's Intel Wireless Display (WiDi), which now adds 1080p HD and content protection for those beaming HD content from their laptop screen to their TV.

"The new 2nd Generation Intel Core processors represent the biggest advance in computing performance and capabilities over any other previous generation," said Mooly Eden, vice president and general manager, PC Client Group, Intel. "The built-in visual capabilities enabled by these new processors are stunning. This, combined with improved adaptive performance, will revolutionize the PC experience in a way that is obvious for every user to see and appreciate — visibly smarter performance."

The new processors combine visual and 3D graphics technology with microprocessors on a single chip. Incorporating the newly architected Intel HD Graphics on each 32nm die enables graphics performance improvements over previous-generation graphics for both HD media processing and mainstream gaming, according to the company. Intel says chips improve performance and still offer great battery life.

Additionally, Intel Insider will allow users to watch movies on their PCs in full high-definition. Commercial distribution of HD premium content using the Intel Insider technology is expected to begin during the first quarter of 2011.

Intel Quick Sync Video hardware acceleration takes is said to the wait out of editing and sharing videos with performance that completes in minutes what used to take hours.

The Intel Core i3, i5 and i7 processors also include the enhanced Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0. This feature automatically reallocates processor core and processor graphics resources to accelerate performance.

Other new chip features include Intel Advanced Vector Extensions (AVX), Intel InTru 3-D, and Intel Clear Video Technology HD. Intel InTru 3-D enables stereoscopic 3-D to 3-D-capable HDTVs or monitors via HDMI 1.4.

Intel AVX promises to increase performance for such demanding visual applications as audio processing and professional video image editing. Intel Clear Video is designed to improve the visual quality and color fidelity during video playback.

Intel announced more than 20 processors, wireless adapters and chipsets, including new Intel Core i7, i5 and i3 processors, Intel 6 Series Chipsets, and Intel Centrino WiFi and WiMAX adapters.

The quad-core-based systems (four processors inside one chip) will be available on Jan. 9 with additional dual-core versions in February.

For more information, visit Intel.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company's website.