Intel Core i5-655K vs Intel Core i7-860

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Core i5-655K compared with Core i7-860

	IntelCore i5-655K	IntelCore i7-860
Overview
Released
Released	June 2010	September 2009
Cores and clocks
Cores
Cores	2	4 (better)
Threads
Threads	4	8 (better)
Base clock
Base clock	3.2 GHz	2.8 GHz
Boost clock
Boost clock	3.46 GHz	3.46 GHz
L3 cache
L3 cache	4 MB	8 MB (better)
Cores
Cores	Two cores and four threads with Hyper-Threading; unlocked multiplier confirmed in the exact reviews.	Four cores and eight threads with Hyper-Threading. Alphr’s exact review explicitly lists the clock multiplier as locked.
Clocks
Clocks	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.	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 comparison chart.	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	Yes	No
Cooler in the box
Cooler in the box	No	–
Memory support
Memory support	Two channels of DDR3-1066/1333 in Intel’s exact-model chart.	Two channels of DDR3-1066/1333 in Intel’s exact embedded product brief.
PCIe
PCIe	–	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.
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	The exact Newegg listing and contemporary AKIBA PC Hotline retail report confirm that the boxed model has no cooler.	–