Intel shows off working 3.2GHz Nehalem processors at IDF

Intel's Nehalem chips were just officially announced a couple weeks ago, but the company's already showing off early samples at the Intel Developer Forum in China this week. Performance numbers are being closely guarded, but quad-core samples are clocked at 3.2GHz, and it's expected that Nehalem chips will offer up to a 30 percent performance increase at the same clock speeds over Core 2 processors. Of course, the name still sounds like a particularly violent sneeze, but you know Intel's running some hard-core focus groups right now to fix that problem.

[Abuzar @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:04PM]

Yeah, but will it surface?

[LiqwidZero @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:29PM]

And will Surface play Doom?

[andrew @ Apr 2nd 2008 2:41PM]

Maybe I'll finally have a reason to replace my P4 2.6 Ghz in my desktop, and my 3.2 Ghz P4 in my Alienware laptop.

I'm waiting on Nehalem as it + DDR3 + New Graphics chip... MIGHT, and I mean MIGHT play Crysis full settings ~ 50 FPS. Otherwise... I'm not buying.

[Abuzar @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:46PM]

Ouch... These people here are harsh! lol

[Nathan @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:50PM]

Give me more games that support multiple processes and I will be on this like white on rice...except for wild or brown rice...this analogy sucks.

[Jevanzz @ Apr 2nd 2008 2:58PM]

Wow Andrew, congrats on your 12 inch e-penis...

[IT-Accountant @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:05PM]

NEED!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am in too much awe to say anything more intelligent.

[Deputy Doffoos @ Apr 2nd 2008 9:32PM]

Do like me. I've just fainted and my alter ego is reporting live from the scene.

[martin @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:06PM]

core3 anyone? maybe core3quad,core3hexa,core3octo

[Kevin Borquist @ Apr 2nd 2008 4:03PM]

Octocore might sound better

[Macha88 @ Apr 2nd 2008 5:05PM]

Core2 with an HT part on the stikcer.
Core2HT
cuz its just hyperthreaded.
But when they make the 16 thread, 8 core one....
:D:D:D:D:D
Core2 OctoHT
or just
Intel PlaysCrisisDoomandBlendswhilewelcomingnewoverlordsandlikingmudkipswihrickrollblocking+

[maveric101 @ Apr 2nd 2008 9:20PM]

it says the quad cores are (currently) clocked at 3.2 GHz, but that screenshot looks like 8 cores to me.. no wait, its probably just hyperthreading.

[Pip @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:07PM]

Anyone know when Intel will release performance stats? I can't wait. I'm putting off my next build, waiting for Core 3(?).

[rutsy5 @ Apr 2nd 2008 3:21PM]

I've got your performance stats right here:

Faster than yours.

[Pip @ Apr 2nd 2008 3:28PM]

With dual QX9775's in a Skulltrail mobo with DDR3-1600, I doubt it.

[mopo @ Apr 2nd 2008 6:23PM]

stop lying to yourself

[Pip @ Apr 2nd 2008 6:57PM]

My comment wasn't any stupider than the "faster than yours" comment...

[cydonia @ Apr 2nd 2008 7:30PM]

I'm pretty sure nahalems top binned part will be faster than your skulltrail config dude.

so therefore your post was doulby stupid.

[Dankoozy @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:08PM]

It does sound like the name of a particularly violent sneeze.

[Chuckles McGee @ Apr 2nd 2008 2:18PM]

"you know Intel's running some hard-core focus groups right now to fix that problem."

Its performance will BLOW you away!

[Macha88 @ Apr 2nd 2008 5:02PM]

Wait for AMD codename Gesundheit. A nehalem killer.

[Ruben @ Apr 2nd 2008 7:16PM]

For AMD's sake, it better be a killer, or they are done. Phenom tripped on the way to stabbing the Core2 and apparently fell on its own sword.

[Russel @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:09PM]

i spy maya

[Lowest Ranked @ Apr 2nd 2008 2:24PM]

I spy users scrolling back up to the picture, spotting the Maya main toolbar, chuckling, then coming back down here to up-rank your comment.

[Michael @ Apr 2nd 2008 2:38PM]

sad part is, i did scroll back up!...AND HIGH RANKED YOU! :(

[jammin @ Apr 2nd 2008 6:42PM]

As I am sad, I actually went "Ooh, Maya" before I noticed the eight entries under the CPU tab in device manager.

[broli @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:12PM]

More importantly, is this going to make use of a new socket type?

[System48 @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:16PM]

Yes it will, LGA1366.

[FrankTheCrank @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:31PM]

I guess I can hold off on Q6600/LGA775 purchase.

A new socket....bout time.

[boe @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:12PM]

Great - but will they actually stock them and sell them to resellers?

I'm building several new PCs for some friends. Every single 45nm CPU that was "released" in January still isn't available in APRIL!! I verified with Intel - they were released in January but you can't get them - every dealer has had them on their site since January with backordered or preordered status.

Try and get your hands on an e8500, e8400, q9550...

There was a supposed report from Intel last year saying they discovered a bug in the new processor - 4 months later they still haven't fixed it?

[Search Guru @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:22PM]

Here's your e8400.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037

I wouldn't be surprised if companies are trying to get rid of their current stock of older processors before selling these, although you'd think they'd just sell them at a higher price *shrug*

I get the "new computer" bug at least once a year. I research all the latest technologies and come up with a great system within my price bracket, and a week later I read about the next greatest that is "coming soon" and end up not buying a PC. Some day my 3.2ghz AMD will be replaced, some day I tell you! Adobe premiere with HD video hates it!

[schmitty338 @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:23PM]

...uhhh...not sure where you are from, but the first two computer stores near me both have the E8400 in stock, and other places that don't have the exact same xeon equivalent for the same price in stock...and the extreme Quad 45nm are in stock too...

In Toronto, BTW...

[kal326 @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:26PM]

@ boe

Check in retail then. Microcenter has had plenty of E8400s pass through their doors and even at decent prices. The E8400 was going for $189.99 in store.

[boe @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:28PM]

Thanks - did you read that page though - it says OUT OF STOCK - lots of places have been listing them on their web page since January but they all say out of stock, back ordered, preorder now...

schmitty - you may be right - I don't know about the rest of the world but you can't get them in the US. I do know a lot of places in England also list them but are out of stock.

[boe @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:32PM]

Just so I don't get any more comments about the 8400 - if you have a place near you in the US that has the E8500 or the Q9550 please let me know - I honestly would appreciate it. I've been searching yahooshopping, google and pricewatch for 3 months now and haven't found a single place that actually has them in stock - but I have found many many many places that are "selling" them as preorders but none have actually gotten them in stock.

Thanks

[Abuzar @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:38PM]

Boe, have you tried looking for the Xeon equivalents? They are the exact same CPU. In fact they might be better since Xeons are made to withstand more heat.

[boe @ Apr 2nd 2008 5:46PM]

Abuzar

Thanks - I have considered it but am waffling about as the
motherboard manufacturer's I've contacted don't recommend the xeons
but won't give me a reason and Intel tells me if I'm patient just a
bit longer they should have the standard chips soon and don't
recommend using Xeons for some reason. I've seen posts about some
people using the Xeon chips but am getting mixed reviews - I'm not
sure why.

[Daniel Cuneo @ Apr 2nd 2008 6:04PM]

8400
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?Sku=CP2-DUO-E8400
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012YZPBM?tag=particculturf-20

8500
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?Sku=CP2-DUO-E8500

q9550
htp://doesn'treallyexist.com/node/q9550
htp://disoneneedher.com/productpage?prodid=q9550
K fine, is hard

did find qx9650 aplenty. but yu prbly noed dat

[boe @ Apr 3rd 2008 12:10PM]

Daniel - thanks - that is the first place I've seen that actually claims to have the 8500 in stock. You tricked me on the Q9550 - I clicked on the link before reading the url :) You bastard! JK

Thanks

[DaLa @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:13PM]

Engadget, please start the AMD acquisition Countdown.

-Samsung

[Lowest Ranked @ Apr 2nd 2008 2:28PM]

There will be no acquinisization of AMD on my watch!

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[michas_pi @ Apr 2nd 2008 3:52PM]

@Lowest Ranked:

Lowest Ranked is...Highest Ranked? That is the Engadget equivalent of dividing by zero.

[mike @ Apr 2nd 2008 3:59PM]

intel and amd are like the bulldog and the small dog from those old looney tune commercials. Smack!

[mike @ Apr 2nd 2008 4:03PM]

TOON

[DiGiC @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:14PM]

If they're quads how come its showing as 8 on the pic? Soz for sounding like a n00b, been out of the loop for a while...

[Dankoozy @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:17PM]

cause they're using hax

[martin @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:19PM]

hyperthreading.. except they are calling it summat like multi-threading this time round

[Abuzar @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:39PM]

You know they have announced Octacore Nehalem CPUs right? I'm guessing that's what that pic is.

[aardvark sandwich @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:18PM]

Its 8 cores...but its 4 cores...but its 8 cores

duhhh.....huh?

[System48 @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:23PM]

It's a quad with a new version of SMT/HT.