Intel Core i5-750 review

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Verdict:

If you want to build a powerful PC, the Core i5-750 provides great value, despite the high cost of compatible motherboards.

Review Date: 21 Sep 2009

Price when reviewed: £144

Supplier: http://www.pixmania.co.uk

Our Rating 5 stars out of 5

ExpertReviews Award

Although the processor is directly linked with the PCI Express graphics card slots, we saw no significant variation in our Call of Duty 4 benchmark scores. This isn't a disaster, though, as games often run slowly on new hardware while the drivers are being optimised.

Speed bump

Intel claims that the 2.66GHz Core-i5 is 20 per cent faster than the 2.66GHz Core 2 Quad Q9400, which tallies with our figures. Equally impressive is its idling power consumption, which is around half that of its predecessor. This is despite both processors having the same 45nm manufacturing process and a TDP of 95W. The new CPU cooler annoyed us, though. Frustratingly, its size is halfway between the LGA1366 and LGA775 coolers, so older heatsinks won't fit on the new motherboards.

Looking only at the Core i5-750's price and test scores, you'd conclude that Intel was about to wipe the floor with AMD. However, a processor is no use without a motherboard, and compatible boards are expensive. If you want to build a fast PC, the i5-750 is still good value, and the lower cost of boards and memory make it far better value than the original Core i7s. However, you can buy a perfectly capable Phenom II chip and board for half the price.

Author: Seth Barton

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