Intel Core i3-530 vs Intel Core i5-655K

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Core i3-530 compared with Core i5-655K

	IntelCore i3-530	IntelCore i5-655K
Overview
Released
Released	January 2010	June 2010
Cores and clocks
Cores
Cores	2	2
Threads
Threads	4	4
Base clock
Base clock	2.93 GHz	3.2 GHz
Boost clock
Boost clock	–	3.46 GHz
L3 cache
L3 cache	4 MB	4 MB
Cores
Cores	Two cores and four threads with Hyper-Threading. Multiplier unlock status is omitted because the bounded exact source pass did not establish it.	Two cores and four threads with Hyper-Threading; unlocked multiplier confirmed in the exact reviews.
Clocks
Clocks	2.93 GHz base; no Turbo Boost, explicitly listed as not applicable in Intel’s 7 January 2010 launch table. The same release states that the new family is immediately available and names this model.	3.20 GHz base and up to 3.46 GHz Turbo Boost. Intel gives Q2 2010; contemporary AKIBA PC Hotline reporting confirms retail availability in June. May launch coverage and an earlier listing do not establish an exact first-sale day, so month precision is retained.
Cache
Cache	4 MB shared L3 cache.	4 MB shared L3 cache.
Graphics and AI
Built-in graphics
Built-in graphics	Yes	Yes
Graphics
Graphics	Intel HD Graphics at 733 MHz in Intel’s exact-model original launch table, also corroborated by bit-tech and the exact retail listing. The later Intel Core i3 comparison chart prints 773 MHz, conflicting with those sources.	Intel HD Graphics at 733 MHz in Intel’s exact-model comparison chart.
Platform
Socket
Socket	LGA1156	LGA1156
Base power
Base power	73 W	73 W
Unlocked
Unlocked	–	Yes
Cooler in the box
Cooler in the box	Yes	No
Memory support
Memory support	Two channels of DDR3-1066/1333 in Intel’s exact-model comparison chart.	Two channels of DDR3-1066/1333 in Intel’s exact-model chart.
PCIe
PCIe	16 PCIe 2.0 lanes, as described in bit-tech’s exact review.	–
Chipsets
Chipsets	H55, H57 or Q57 provides display outputs for integrated graphics; compatible P55 boards can use a discrete graphics card, subject to BIOS support (bit-tech).	–
Process
Process	32 nm CPU and separate 45 nm graphics die, as described by bit-tech’s exact review.	32 nm CPU and separate 45 nm graphics die, as described by bit-tech’s exact review.
Cooler
Cooler	Retail boxed heatsink and fan confirmed by the exact Newegg listing and Phoronix’s exact-model retail sample inspection.	The exact Newegg listing and contemporary AKIBA PC Hotline retail report confirm that the boxed model has no cooler.