Specifications of upcoming Intel Mobile microprocessors

Using different sources, we compiled specifications of upcoming Intel mobile CPUs. These processors are Core i3-370M, Core i5-450M, Core i7-740QM, Core i7-840QM and Core Extreme Edition i7-940XM. We also discovered two Pentium Mobile models - P6000 and P6100.

Three quad-core Core i7 processor, i7-740QM, i7-840QM and i7-940XM, are one step (133 MHz) faster than i7-720QM, i7-820QM and i7-920XM respectively. Turbo Boost frequency on these CPUs is also bumped by 133 MHz, while all other specifications are identical to their predecessors. Fudzilla reported in February that i7-940XM model is planned for the third quarter. Based on widespread availability of information on upcoming notebooks with these Core i7 microprocessors, we believe that Core CPUs can be launched as early as June.

New model in Core i5 family is Core i5-450M. This dual-core processor runs at 2.4 GHz, and in many ways is similar to Core i5-520M. The differences between them is in supported technologies - the 430M model lacks vPro features and AES instructions, and has lower maximum Turbo Boost frequency. Another variation of core i5-520M processor, without vPro feature, Turbo Boost technology and AES instructions, will be offered as Core i3-370M. Most likely, Core i3-370M and i5-450M models will be produced in two packages, micro-PGA and micro-BGA. 370M and 450M models, together with i7-740QM and i7-840QM processors, are referenced on this customization page for Dell Studio 14 Laptop. Also, i5-450M CPU is already available in ASUS K72JK-X1 notebook, which you can buy on Newegg.

It was rumored that there will be two more Core i5 Mobile microprocessors, Core i5-530M and Core i5-550M, which will have the same core frequency and features as Core i5-520M and i5-540M CPUs. We couldn't find out part numbers for these processors, and couldn't determine how they are different from 520M/540M parts.

Pentium family will be updated with two more models - Pentium P6000 with 1.86 GHz core frequency, and Pentium P6100 with 2 GHz frequency. Pentium microprocessors will come with 3 MB L3 cache and won't support Hyperthreading technology. Pentium models, along with Core i3-370M, will be shipped in Lenovo IdeaPad Z360 and Z560 notebooks. The IdeaPad Z-series notebooks are slated for June, which possibly coincides with processor launch. Pentium P6000 will also be used in Toshiba Satellite L630 notebook. "Facts & Figures" on the press release for this Toshiba notebook states that Pentium P6000 will be available in June.

Below is a summary of all mobile processors:

Model	# Cores	HyperThreading	Frequency	L3 cache	Turbo Boost (1 core)
Core i7-940XM	4	Yes	2.13 GHz	8 MB	3.33 GHz
Core i7-840QM	4	Yes	1.86 GHz	8 MB	3.2 GHz
Core i7-740QM	4	Yes	1.73 GHz	6 MB	2.93 GHz
Core i5-450M	2	Yes	2.4 GHz	3 MB	2.66 GHz
Core i3-370M	2	Yes	2.4 GHz	3 MB	None
Pentium P6100	2	No	2 GHz	3MB	None
Pentium P6000	2	No	1.86 GHz	3MB	None

Pricing information for upcoming mobile processors is not yet available. We cannot estimate official prices from extra cost values, posted on Dell Studio 14 Laptop configuration page, as those seem to be based on new pricing structure. If this assumption is correct then we'll see significant drop in price of Core i7-820QM and Core i7-720QM microprocessors. Core i7-720QM will cost about $10 - $20 more than Core i5-540M, and i7-820QM price will drop by more $150.

Update (May 24): Dell removed information on upcoming Core i3-370M, Core i7-740QM and Core i7-840QM processors from configuration page. Here is a screenshot of the CPU selection part of the page before it was updated: