We take a look at one of Intel’s dual-core processors with built-in graphics core. This introduces a new two-chip package Intel architecture (CPU and Platform Control Hub), as opposed to the previous three-chip package (CPU, Northbridge, Southbridge).
Intel Clarkdale Processor Models (2 Cores, 4 Threads, 4MB cache, DDR3-1333 memory support):
- i5-670 (3.46 GHz, up to 3.73 GHz Turbo Frequency, 733MHz Graphics Core speed, 73W TDP, US$284)
- i5-661 (3.33 GHz, up to 3.60 GHz Turbo Frequency, 900MHz Graphics Core speed, 87W TDP, US$196)
- i5-660 (3.33 GHz, up to 3.60 GHz Turbo Frequency, 733MHz Graphics Core speed, 73W TDP, US$196)
- i5-650 (3.20 GHz, up to 3.46 GHz Turbo Frequency, 733MHz Graphics Core speed, 73W TDP, US$176)
- i3-540 (3.06 GHz, No Turbo Frequency, 733MHz Graphics Core speed, 73W TDP, US$133)
- i3-530 (2.93 GHz, No Turbo Frequency, 733MHz Graphics Core speed, 73W TDP, US$113)
PCPerspective suggests that you also look at the Core i3-530 processor as possible better alternative:
“We have Westmere parts in our hands (a bit earlier than we expected last year) with Clarkdale and while I am impressed to see the technology working, the processor really fills a specific market segment. The most specific thing I can say to a potential buyer of a Clarkdale processor is this: it only makes sense to buy one if you are going to utilize the integrated graphics. If you plan on adding a discrete graphics card anyway, then it makes more sense to use that processor budget for a Lynnfield part.
The exception to this? Extreme low cost requirements. You can get a Core i3 processor for $113 that will give you similar levels of CPU performance but without the Turbo Mode features. You still get the Intel HD Graphics and HyperThreading support so you could create a nice HTPC system for minimal cost by pairing it with one of the Intel HD55TC mATX motherboards or another option.” [PCPer.com | Core i5-661]
AnandTech feels that Clarkdale needs to improve its on-package memory controller:
“To conclude I can only go back to my only real complaints about Clarkdale. The off-die, on-package memory controller hampers performance. We've taken a step back in terms of memory latency, a step we can't correct until Sandy Bridge. I can't help but think that Clarkdale would be so much more competitive if it had Lynnfield's memory controller. I guess we'll have to wait a year to find out.
The other issue is that its pricing at the high end just doesn't make any sense. There isn't a single Core i5 I'd recommend, but the i3s are spot-on.” [AnandTech | Core i5 661]
Tom’s Hardsare sees promise in the home theater niche:
“The Core i5-661 we tested—which could easily be substituted for the i5-660 at the same price point—completely eclipses the Core 2 Duo E8500 and solidly rivals some of the fastest Core 2 Quads. Our opinion is reinforced by Intel’s limiting the H55 and H57 chipsets to a single graphics card.
Clarkdale also shows promise in the home theater. Support for hardware accelerated Blu-ray playback, multi-channel LPCM output, and lossless bitstreaming of high-def audio formats leaves very little else to be desired from a media-oriented platform, so long as you don’t intend to game on it. Not having to buy a discrete Radeon HD 5000-series graphics card means we’ll be seeing remarkably powerful mini-ITX platforms with 73W Clarkdale CPUs taking care of processing and graphics in one compact (affordable) package.” [Tom’s Hardware | Core i5-661]
HardwareZone enjoyed the better media playback, but not convinced with the i5-661’s performance when compared to a Core 2 Duo E8500:
“From a pure performance point of view, the new Intel HD Graphics is a slight upgrade over the GMA X4500HD, even in its fastest (900MHz) incarnation on the Core i5-661. What it does significantly better is media playback, where it certainly manages to justify its HD tag.
As a processor, the dual-core nature of the Core i5-661 meant that it was rarely going to challenge the higher-end quad-core processors, even with Turbo Boost and HyperThreading. Most of its better scores were naturally recorded for system suites like SYSmark 2007 and not heavily multi-threaded applications. In fact, from some of our benchmarks, we can't help but wonder if the smaller L3 cache on the Core i5-661 affected its performance compared to the older Core 2 Duo E8500.
With a US$196 price tag for 1k units, the Core i5-661 will likely be competing against Intel's own Core i5-750. And like we said, it won't surpass the quad-core. Still, we hope the new H55 motherboards are competitively priced to give these new Clarkdale processors more value. Already, unlike the i5-750, the i5-661 has a decent mainstream graphics core inside, which should be adequate for some users, including businesses.” [HardwareZone | Core i5-661]
Are the Clarkdale processors a good buy? It would depend on the prices of H55 motherboards, as HardwareZone pointed out. And, still talking about value, a Core i3-530 looks to offer the best bang per buck, among the Clarkdales, that is. For performance, the Core 2 Quad processors would most probably serve you better.
