Intel's Official Ivy Bridge CPU Announcement Finally Live

Intel ended up taking its sweet time making its official announcement, but at least now we know for sure that the third-generation Core series central processing units are live. 

Then again, that isn't a totally accurate way of putting it, since sales haven't started. That will only happen on April 29. 

Nevertheless, the company's press release is out and the product database on the official website now features 22nm-based, 3D Tri-gate transistor-equipped Core i5, Core i7 and Core i7 Extreme Edition CPUs. 

There are six Core i5 chips, only one of which is equipped with the Intel HD graphics 4000 integrated GPU (Intel Core i5-3570K Processor, 6 MB Cache, up to 3.80 GHz, 77W TDP). 

All the others make do with the HD 2500 graphics, have TDPs of 65W or 77W (45W for the Intel Core i5-3570T, 6 MB Cache, up to 3.30 GHz clock) and top frequencies of 3.30 GHz to 3.70 GHz. 

There are thirteen Core i7 third-generation units, when both the mobile and desktop versions are taken together. 

All of them have the HD 4000 graphics, 6 MB or 8 MB of cache, top speeds of 3.10 GHz to 3.90 GHz and TDPs ranging from 35W (for the most efficient mobile chips) to 77W. 

Finally, of course, we have the Intel Core i7-3920XM Processor Extreme Edition (8 MB cache). This is the only Extreme edition unit and, even though its top speed isn't as high as on some of the others (3.80 GHz), the overclocking potential is at its best. 

Sure, all the newly announced CPUs have Turbo Boost 2.0 technology (dynamically boosts some clocks at the expense of others when applications require it) but only this Extreme Edition model will let overclockers test the limits of the new chip range. 

Add to that the impressive TDP of 55W and we have a winner. Sure, the price won't be all that flattering, but enthusiasts usually have funds. 

Speaking of prices, Intel's website doesn't specify any. Since shipments will only begin on April 29, we probably won't know all of them until then. 

Then again, reports have a habit of uncovering any and all information prematurely. According to Engadget, the Core i5 will start at $174 / 132 Euro, the desktop i7 at $278 / 211 Euro and the notebook i7 at $378 / 287 Euro. The top-tier Core i7-3920XM is rated at $1,096 / 833 Euro.

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