Intel is expected to release soon the ultra-low voltage Core i5 and i7 processor models, designed for use in the new generation of small and thin laptops.
The company’s site currently list three 32nm ULV 2010 Intel Core CPUs: the 1.066GHz Core i5-520UM, 1.06GHz Core i7-620UM, and the 1.2GHz i7-640UM, all with a maximal power consumption of 18W, whereas the corresponding standard-voltage models provide higher speeds but consume 35W.
Depending on usage, clock frequencies of these dual core chips can be increased to maximal 1.866GHz, 2.133GHz, and 2.26GHz, respectively, using Turbo Boost technology.
The i5 ULV has 3MB of cache, while the i7 units have 4MB.
As same as the other Core i5 and i7 mobile processors, the ULV products include the Intel HD graphics, but also with lower clock frequency. For example, the standard i5-520M has a base graphics frequency of 500MHz, whereas the i5-520UM runs at 166MHz.
All these performance reductions are made to extend battery life and reduce heat in the next-gen laptops.
The Core i5-520UM, i7-620UM, and i7-640UM are priced at $241, $278, and $305 respectively, in 1000-unit quantities.
The fist known notebooks with the ULV Core CPUs are the new Lenovo IdeaPad U and Acer Aspire TimelineX series, Asus PL30JT, as well as the rumored Apple MacBook Air refresh models.
