The word Sandy Bridge is what we have been hearing for the past 3 months. In forums, on different websites and even on the news. Sandy Bridge is the codename for Intel’s new 32nm processor architecture. This new architecture brings on-die graphics to a whole new level and still has all of the same features we saw on the Nehalem architecture. It adds even more with Turbo Boost Technology 2.0, Intel Quick Sync Video, Intel InTru 3D, and AVX (Advanced Vector Extensions) instructions. With this new architecture Intel is releasing 11 desktop processors, we will be taking the Core i5-2500K through the paces, read on to check it out!
Special thanks to Intel for providing us with the Core i5-2500K LGA 1155 “Sandy Bridge” Processor to review.
Specifications
| Essentials | |
| Processor Number | i5-2500K |
| Launch Date | Q1’11 |
| # of Cores | 4 |
| # of Threads | 4 |
| Clock Speed | 3.30 GHz |
| Max Turbo Frequency | 3.70 GHz |
| Cache | 6.0 MB |
| Instruction Set | 64-bit |
| Lithography | 32 nm |
| Memory Specifications | |
| Max Memory Size (dependent on memory type) |
32 GB |
| Memory Types | DDR3-1066/1333 |
| # of Memory Channels | 2 |
| Max Memory Bandwidth | 21 |
| Graphics Specifications | |
| Integrated Graphics | Yes |
| Intel® HD Graphics | Yes |
| Intel® HD Graphics with Dynamic Frequency | Yes |
| Graphics Base Frequency | 850 MHz |
| Graphics Max Dynamic Frequency | 1.10 GHz |
| Intel® Flexible Display Interface (Intel® FDI) | Yes |
| Intel® Clear Video HD Technology | Yes |
| Dual Display Capable | Yes |
| Advanced Technologies | |
| Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology | No |
| Intel® Turbo Boost Technology | 2.0 |
| Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d) | No |
| Intel® Trusted Execution Technology | No |
| Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology | Yes |
| Intel® Fast Memory Access | Yes |
| Intel® Flex Memory Access | Yes |
