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Intel have dominated the desktop processor market for quite some time, and they're about to extend that reign by releasing their latest desktop processor ... the Core i7.

The Core i7 processor from Intel is one of the most anticipated releases of this year. It's touted to be THE PROCESSOR of choice when it comes to satisfying the needs of the most demanding customers ... whether it's for business, home, mainstream or even enthusiast.

Based on the lastest multicore 45nm processor technology, the Core i7 (codenamed Nehalem) now includes, not just multicore processing, but it also offer multi-threading capabilities too. What's more, Intel have now included both the original L2 cache, and their new L3 cache. But above all, the most exciting feature of the new Core i7, is the inclusion of an integrated memory controller, which according to some performance gurus has been long over due. 

There is however, a slight snag. In order for you to use the Intel's Core i7 processors ... you need a new motherboard. That's beacuse the new Core i7 has a total of 1366 pins (rather than 775 found on the older Intel Core 2 Duos and Quads) ... hence a new socket and a new platform. LGA Socket 1366. All the major motherboard partners including Asus, Gigabyte and MSI have already developed their new motheboards ready for launch ...

I've not finished ... according to Intel's specifications, the new LGA 1366 platform require that you use Tri-Channel DDR3 memory modules (yes, DDR3 and not DDR2) with a maximum voltage of 1.65V. Most DDR3 memory available on the market are dual channel with DDR3 voltages above 1.8V. That means, if you want to upgrade to this new platform ... you'll need a new motherboard, new memory and then of course the new Core i7 processor. All-in-all, it's going to be a major upgrade.

There will have to be some tough choices to be made ... is it worth the upgrade? We will see what benefits in terms of performance the new Core i7 has ove the original Core 2 Quad. In the meantime, take a look at the chart below showing you the available Core i7 processors available at the time of release.

Another talking point of this new platform, is the chipset behind it. Intel's new X58 motherboard chipset will have a very intriguing feature. All the new LGA socket 1366 motherboards (using the X58 chipset) will have the ability to support BOTH ATI's Crossfire and Nvidia's SLI ... dual GPU setup. It's the first of its kind.

Intel's "Glamour Shot" of their silicon wafer from which the new Core i7 processors are produced from.

Normally, motherboard with Intel chipsets currently only support ATI's Crossfire, while motherboards with Nvidia chipsets can only support their own SLI technology. However, the new X58 motherboard chipset from Intel, has blown all of this out of the water. No longer are lovers of Nvidia graphics cards left behind. It means that ANY gaming enthusiast can use either ATI's Crossfire or Nvidia's SLI, without any compatibility issues.

With so much money available for Intel's R&D department, it's no wonder that they're in the forefront of processor technology for both desktop and server markets. While AMD struggles to develope an equivalent product to Intel's last processor ... Intel have already moved on, and are literaly 2 steps ahead in the processor game. And you can forget about Nvidia ... they are no where near to a finished processor that could match the sheer power that Intel has to offer.

Having said that AMD is bounce back slowly, their GPU business is thriving and their integrated solutions are very lively. Intel will not allow AMD to quit the desktop processor game ... healthy competition is what drives business and the wider markets, so Intel and AMD will be around for quite some time. 

In our tests we'll be installing the processor on an Asus P6T Deluxe motherboard, along with 3Gb of DDR3 Tri-Channel memory from OCZ, and a Radeon HD 4870x2 (2Gb GDDR5) graphics card, PC Power & Cooling 860W PSU, running Windows Vista. During the tests, we'll also see how well the new processor can overclock. 

We've done some preliminary tests on the Core i7 - 920 processor, and so far from what I could see, the new Core i7 really is something quite special. We will also be finding out what other improvements the processor has to offer with its integrated memory controller, but the biggest question of all ... is how well does these Core i7 processors overclock?

... Ok, let's not waste any more time and take a closer look at the new Core i7 - 920 processor from Intel.