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Review: Intel Core i7 875K and Core i5 655K - unlocked chips for enthusiasts

by Tarinder Sandhu on 28 May 2010, 05:00 3.0

Tags: Core i7 875K, Intel Core i5 655K, Intel (NASDAQ:INTC)

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qayis

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Introduction

Chip giant Intel sells CPUs by the million, and it controls almost 90 per cent of the x86 market. Making profit by way of incredible volume, the manufacturing powerhouse throws the enthusiast a bone every so often - the Core i7 980X Extreme Edition being a case in point.

Very few enthusiasts can afford to pay the £850 for the fastest desktop CPU of them all, so it's now launching two chips specifically aimed at enticing the enthusiast/gamer to buy Intel and not AMD.

Differentiated by the 'K' suffix and set to etail for £200 and £300 for the Core i5 655K and Core i7 875K, respectively, Intel removes the multiplier-lock for more-granular control over frequencies and overclocks.

Just a marketing gimmick or genuinely useful. We find out.