New Intel processors improve AVCHD editing & encoding at lower cost

JefUK · 04-09-2009, 8:14 AM

A new range of Intel processors, and their associated chipsets will be launched next week. These will redefine higher-end mainstream PC's and be especially important by providing the processing power for easy editing/encoding AVCHD at a lower cost. They will replace the current quad-core Core 2 parts, and Q1 2010 will see the replacement of the current dual-core processors.

The new processors to be launched next week will be:-

Core i5-750
Core i7-860
Core i7-870

These are all quad-core and will join the existing i7-920, i7-950, and i7-975 chips. The current i7-900 series chips have a tri-channel memory controller, Hyperthreading, and a Quickpath communication bus. The new i7 800 series will have a dual-channel memory controller, Hyperthreading, and a DMI bus. The 700 series have dual-channel memory controller, and DMI communications bus.

The 700 and 800 series processors use a new chipset - the Intel P55 - and be cheaper than all the 900 series processors. The 900 series processors use the X58 chipset. Motherboards based on the P55 will be considerably cheaper than those using the X58 chipset. PC's using 700 or 800 series processors will be similar in price to today's Intel 8000/9000 series quad-core systems, although the first systems will probably be "premium" offerings to cash-in on the novelty.

The performance of these new processors, under certain conditions, can actually be faster than some of the current i7-900 series, and will therefore offer excellent value for money. The bad news is that using a 700 or 800 processor will at least require a new motherboard and DDR3 memory (current quad-cores use DDR2). They should all be very good at editing AVCHD, for which processor speed is the most critical factor. For AVCHD video editors concerned about the cost of current i7 based systems, they will be worth the wait.