The i5 processor is the mid-level central processing unit of Intel Corp.'s flagship "Core" brand, ranking above the Core i3 line of processors, but below the Core i7. At the time of publication, the Intel Core i5, like its i-series brethren, is in its second generation of production.
History
Intel released the first i5 processor, the Core i5-750, on Sept. 8, 2009. Since then, Intel has produced 23 first-generation i5 chips and 18 second-generation i5 chips. The debut of the i5 took place a year after that of the top-level i7; thus, the i5 became the lower-end Core i-series chip. When the i3 arrived in 2010, it bumped up the i5 to mid-range status.
Classification
Core i5 CPUs are applied on desktop and laptop personal computers; the latter variant are called mobile processors, with an "M" suffix next to their model numbers. The i5 division of the Core brand is divided into four codenames. The Arrandale consists of dual-core mobile processors that are split into the i5-4xxM and i5-5xxM series. The dual-core i5-6xx is named Clarkdale; and Lynnfield is a reference to the more powerful, quad-core i5-7xxx. Sandy Bridge consists of dual- and quad-core processors under the i5-2xxx series.
Main Features
Except for the Lynnfield processors, which use the larger 45-nanometer lithographic node, the Intel Core i5 -- at the time of publication -- adheres to the 32-nanometer manufacturing process. The processing speed range -- the rate at which the CPU performs its fundamental tasks -- is 1.06GHz to 3.6GHz. The data transfer speed is 2.5 gigatransfers per second for the first-generation processors and 5GT/s for the second-generation CPUs. The Smart Cache -- a small memory bank for high-speed access to computer data -- is 3MB, 4MB, 6MB and 8MB. The maximum power consumption range is 17 to 95 watts.
Technologies
All Intel Core i5 chips have Intel Turbo Boost Technology, which increases the processor speed to its absolute fastest rate when the operating system demands it for the very best performance. Most of the CPUs also has an Intel HD Graphics chipset for graphics processing on the chip itself. Other common technologies found in the Intel i5 processor family include Hyper-Threading Technology for CPU multitasking, Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology for enhancing performance while saving power, and Execute Disable Bit for anti-virus protection.
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