Intel desktop Sandy Bridge CPUs to launch on May 22

Less than two weeks remains before introduction of the next wave of Sandy Bridge microprocessors for desktop market. The processor lineup, that will be released on Sunday, May 22, consists of 7 new Pentium, Core i3 and Core i5 SKUs. Pentium models will be the first budget CPUs, built on Sandy Bridge micro-architecture. Core i3s and i5s, on the other hand, are updated versions of previously released chips with slightly better CPU or graphics performance. Specifications, release date and prices for most of these chips were disclosed by hardware news sites well in advance of this launch. Some information, like the price of Core i5-2405S, and confirmed launch date for i5-2405S and Pentium G20T CPUs, is new.

Intel Pentium desktop processors will integrate two CPU cores, 3 MB level 3 cache, shared between the cores, and memory and graphics controllers. On-chip memory controller will support DDR3-1066 memory on G6xx processor series, and up to DDR3-1333 on G8xx series. HD-capable on-chip graphics, clocked at 850 MHz, or up to 1.1 GHz in turbo mode, won't include Clear Video HD technology. The Pentium G620T, G620, G840 and G850 CPUs are going to run at 2.2GHz, 2.6GHz, 2.8GHz and 2.9GHz respectively, and will have most of the advanced Sandy Bridge features missing. That is, the Pentiums will not have such technologies as Turbo Boost, HyperThreading, and they won't support AES instructions. G620, G840 and G850 mainstream parts will fit 65 Watt thermal envelope, and low-power G620T microprocessor will be offered with 35 Watt maximum power consumption. Upon release, Pentium processor prices will be in the $64 - $86 range.

Like the Core i3-2100 microprocessor, the i3-2105 will operate at 3.1 MHz and feature HyperThreading technology. Embedded graphics on this chip will be upgraded from HD 2000 to HD 3000, although 850 MHz base and 1.1 GHz turbo graphics frequencies won't change. The processor will come with $134 price sticker, which is almost as much as the price of Core i3-2120.

Standard features on Core i5 microprocessors are 4 cores without HyperThreading support, 6 MB L3 cache and HD 2000 on-chip graphics. Core i5-2405S will have its graphics upgraded to HD 3000, and in all other aspects it will be the same as Core i5-2400S. The 2405S CPU will be priced $10 higher than the 2400S.

Compared to Intel i5-2300 model, Core i5-2310 will have its clock rate increased to 2.9 GHz, and maximum Turbo Boost frequency raised to 3.2 GHz. This processor will have 95 Watt TDP, and it will be priced the same as Core i5-2300, at $177.

All upcoming microprocessors will be manufactured in socket 1155-compatible package. A summary of all CPUs' features is provided in the table below:

Model	Cores	Threads	Frequency	Turbo Frequency	L3 cache	TDP	Price
Core i3-2105	2	4	3.1 GHz	N/A	3 MB	65 Watt	$134
Core i5-2310	4	4	2.9 GHz	3.2 GHz	6 MB	95 Watt	$177
Core i5-2405S	4	4	2.5 GHz	3.3 GHz	6 MB	65 Watt	$205
Pentium G620	2	2	2.6 GHz	N/A	3 MB	65 Watt	$64
Pentium G620T	2	2	2.2 GHz	N/A	3 MB	35 Watt	$70
Pentium G840	2	2	2.8 GHz	N/A	3 MB	65 Watt	$75
Pentium G850	2	2	2.9 GHz	N/A	3 MB	65 Watt	$86