Intel to offer unlocked ‘Broadwell’ processors with 65W TDP

Intel Corp.’s code-named “Broadwell” central processing units have already reduced power consumption of high-performance mobile processors to unprecedented levels. In the coming months the company's 14nm process technology and the “Broadwell” micro-architecture will apply their magic to chips aimed at overclockers and enthusiasts.

Historically, Intel’s advanced microprocessors with overclocking capabilities featured thermal design power of around 95W. However, the company’s first 22nm chips code-named “Ivy Bridge” lowered TDP of unlocked Core i7-3770K and Core i5-3570K to 77W. Eventually, Intel had to increase thermal design power of its “Haswell” CPUs for overclockers to 84W or even 88W. However, the “Broadwell-K” chips will again reduce TDP of processors with unlocked multiplier to 65W.

An excerpt from a document that resembles those from Intel, which was published by Chinese VR-Zone web-site on Friday, indicates that Intel will debut high-performance quad-core “Broadwell” processors in LGA1150 form-factor in the second quarter of 2015. The family of processors will include “Broadwell Unlocked” central processing units for overclockers with 65W thermal design power.

Intel “Broadwell-K” processors will be compatible with the company’s Intel Z97 platform and will replace existing “Devil’s Canyon” microprocessors with unlocked multiplier. Thanks to the fact that “Broadwell-K” chips will inherit micro-architecture from “Haswell” processors, thin 14nm process technology could make them very good overclockers.

What remains to be seen are specifications of “Broadwell Unlocked” microprocessors (Core i7-5770K and Core i5-5670K?). The new chips will have to offer higher performance compared to that of existing “Devil’s Canyon” products, which means clock-rates higher than 4.0GHz. If “Broadwell” enables 4.10GHz – 4.20GHz frequencies at 65W TDP and certain overclocking potential, then enthusiasts will be extremely glad.

Intel did not comment on the news-story.

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KitGuru Says: Overclocking potential of the “Broadwell-K” is a mystery now, but if a quad-core chip can hit 4.20GHz at 65W and there are no fundamental issues with design, process technology, thermal interface, power as well as artificial limitations, then we probably can expect 5GHz clock-rates when overclocked using decent coolers. Of course, nothing is clear now, but from technology standpoint, the “Broadwell Unlocked” should be a very promising solution for overclockers.

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