Intel Core i3-530 vs Intel Core i7-860

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Core i3-530 compared with Core i7-860

	IntelCore i3-530	IntelCore i7-860
Overview
Released
Released	January 2010	September 2009
Cores and clocks
Cores
Cores	2	4 (better)
Threads
Threads	4	8 (better)
Base clock
Base clock	2.93 GHz	2.8 GHz
Boost clock
Boost clock	–	3.46 GHz
L3 cache
L3 cache	4 MB	8 MB (better)
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.	Four cores and eight threads with Hyper-Threading. Alphr’s exact review explicitly lists the clock multiplier as locked.
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.	2.80 GHz base; up to 3.46 GHz with one core active, 3.33 GHz with two and 2.93 GHz with four, per Intel’s exact embedded brief. Intel’s 8 September 2009 launch states availability that day and names the 860 in its table.
Cache
Cache	4 MB shared L3 cache.	8 MB shared L3 cache.
Graphics and AI
Built-in graphics
Built-in graphics	Yes	No
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’s exact-model comparison chart lists no processor graphics.
Platform
Socket
Socket	LGA1156	LGA1156
Base power
Base power	73 W	95 W
Unlocked
Unlocked	–	No
Cooler in the box
Cooler in the box	Yes	–
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 embedded product brief.
PCIe
PCIe	16 PCIe 2.0 lanes, as described in bit-tech’s exact review.	16 PCIe 2.0 lanes, configurable as one ×16 or two ×8 links; DMI connects the chipset, according to Intel’s launch and embedded brief.
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.	45 nm; Lynnfield. Intel’s launch names the P55 platform.
Cooler
Cooler	Retail boxed heatsink and fan confirmed by the exact Newegg listing and Phoronix’s exact-model retail sample inspection.	–