Targeting the value segment, MSI this week announced four new additions to its C-series (Classic series) notebook line. The new models consist of the 16-inch CR600 and 15.6-inch CR620-030, CR620-033, and CR620-031.
All three 620-based models are built around Intel’s Arrandale platform and tout either a Core i3 or i5 processor. Each one also comes equipped with 4GB of DDR3 memory, and either a 320GB or 500GB hard drive. Those who opt for the CR620-033 will also get a Blu-ray DVD combo drive.
The CR600 comes with Nvidia’s GeForce 8200M graphics, and like the rest, it also boasts 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, HDMI out, 1.3MP webcam, a raised chiclet keyboard, and Windows 7 Home Premium.
All models are available now at Newegg with pricing starting at $530.
Image Credit: MSI
Intel’s Core i3 family looks a little thin at the moment, but come Q2, the No. 1 chip maker will add a third member, the Core i3 550, news and rumor site Fudzilla reports.
As it currently stands, the Core i3 530 cruises along at 2.93GHz, while the 540 breaks the 3GHz barrier with a 3.06GHz clockspeed. The Core i3 550 will kick things up a notch to 3.2GHz, leaving everything else the same. That means 4MB of cache, DDR3 1333 memory support, a 73W TDP, two cores with four threads, and no Turbo overclocking. In other words, it will be the same chip as the Core i5 650, just without Turbo.
Fudzilla says the Wolfdale-based Core i3 550 might end up pushing the E7600 from the marketplace, though the majority of the Wolfdale Core 2 Duo product line will remain available as lower end options throughout most of 2010.
No word yet on price, though we suspect it will check in somewhere around the $170 mark.
Image Credit: Intel
Intel continues to keep quiet about its upcoming budget Core i3 chip that everyone knows is coming, but that’s okay, because we don’t need an official statement from Santa Clara to tell you more about this part.
The chip is already available for preorder at Canadian retailer A-Power. According to A-Power’s listing, the dual-core Core i3 530 will come clocked at 2.93GHz.. It will also sport 512KB of L2 cache and 4MB of L3 cache, and comes priced at around $150 in U.S. currency.
Intel’s upcoming 32nm Core i3 is part of the chip maker’s Westmere architecture. The company has previously said that Westmere chips should deliver performance and power benefits that trump the company’s current 45nm lineup.
We imagine it won’t be long before Intel officially introduces its 32nm Core i3 lineup.
I have a confession to make; I get a kick out of leaked Intel roadmaps. They almost always tend to be revealed mere days after I purchase a new CPU and are pretty effective at taking all the joy out of my new purchase. Of course, in the world of technology my fancy tends to be fickle, and a bit of CPU lust never hurt anyone.
The latest Intel roadmap doesn’t contain too many surprises but it does show that the transition to 32nm is well underway. The few standouts are a new sub-brand called Core i5 “S” that drops the chip down from 95w to 82w, and a Core i3 that strips away the turbo mode to bring down the cost. Intel’s movement at the low end of the market clearly shows their commitment to taking on AMD in the budget realm and it will be interesting to see benchmark comparisons on these new parts.
As for the high end, the new Core i9 “Gulftown” 6-core chip appears to be currently on schedule for a Q2 release next year. This gives us about 6 more months to enjoy our measly old quad cores. Click the image below to check out the detailed roadmap, or hit up PC Watch Japan for all the gory details in “loosely” translated Google English.
Are you going to upgrade to a Core i9?
