An excellent processor for assembling a mid-range system unit in 2010 was the Intel Core i5-650. The characteristics of this chip now, of course, are not impressive, but at the time of its release, the computing capabilities of this product made it possible to solve almost any problem. And even now, although he loses with a more recent CPU of this manufacturer, this difference is not so noticeable.
Market segment for this processor solution
Intel processor products to this day have the same division into market segments as in 2010. It has the following form:
Celeron CPUs were exclusively for office PCs. The most modest clock frequencies, the minimum cache size and only 2 cores for performing calculations are typical parameters of semiconductor products of this type. But at the same time, their cost is very, very modest, and this characteristic comes to the fore in this part of the CPU market.
Pentium microprocessors are a notch. They did not have cardinal differences from Celeron semiconductor crystals. They have increased cache and frequency. But the cost was higher. Therefore, such computing systems are most often used as part of an entry-level PC.
Mid-range system units were based on i3 and i5 chips. Moreover, in the processors of the first generation based on the Core microarchitecture there was no clear distinction between them. Now the first family of CPUs includes 2 cores for processing code, but can work in 4 information processing streams, and the second one already has 4 physical cores. It was to this segment of the microprocessor device market that the Intel Core i5-650 belonged. Its characteristics indicate the presence of two physical cores that could process the program code when the NT technology was activated, the code is already in 4 streams and in this regard the i3 family is closer to it. But the presence of dynamic frequency increase technology and an increased cache with operating frequencies made this microprocessor closer to the i5 family.
The most productive personal computers from this chip manufacturer were based on the i7 family of chips. They had 4 computing units, which, using the previously mentioned NT technology, could already process code in 8 threads. Plus, in this case, all possible technologies were supported, the cache and clock speeds were increased. As a result, the performance level of such PCs was maximally possible within the framework of such a computing platform.
Possible CPU options
Like most Intel semiconductor products, this Intel Core i5 processor had two possible configuration options . Clarkdale i5-650, the description of which on the manufacturer’s official website confirms this once again, was supplied in TRAY and VOX variants. The first of them was aimed at large collectors of personal computers. In this case, the delivery list was very modest - a chip, an instruction manual, a warranty card and a sticker - a logo for the front panel of the PC case. The second version of the configuration was different in that, in addition to everything previously listed, it included a cooler and proprietary thermal grease. It was aimed at small collectors of mid-level personal computers.
Socket
This CPU was designed to be installed in the processor socket LGA1156. In 2010, it was an advanced socket for microprocessors. Since then, the computing platform from Intel has been updated several times, and the LGA1156 is currently completely and completely outdated. Consider it as the basis for the assembly of a new PC, albeit at the entry-level or budget level, it is worth considering in a last resort. There are LGA1150 and LGA1151, and it is on their basis that new computers need to be assembled. Well, products oriented to use in a PC based on LGA1156 can only be used in case of repair of a computer system based on it.
Technological process
Interestingly enough, from the position of the technological process, the Intel Core i5-650 processor is manufactured. The characteristics of this semiconductor product indicate that it contains two silicon crystals at once. One of them is made according to the standards of 32 nm, and this is actually the processor part, and the second corresponds to 45 nm, and this is already an integrated graphics subsystem. Subsequently, Intel refused such an implementation. Now all the CPUs along with the graphic controllers are manufactured on the same semiconductor chip.
Cache organization
A review of the Intel Core i5-650 processor indicates that it has 3 levels of cache memory. At the hardware level, it has the following form:
The uppermost third tier is 4 MB in size. It is common to both processing units of this chip.
The total size of the second level is 512 Kb. Physically, it is divided into 2 parts, the volume of each of them is 256 kKb. Each of these parts can be exchanged directly only with a specific computing unit.
The first level has 128 KB of cache. They are also divided into 2 parts of 64 Kb and can store information of only one particular core. Each of these parts is divided into 2 parts of 32 KB. One of them can only store software instructions, and the second - data.
RAM and its microprocessor controller
An important innovation of this computing platform was that the RAM controller, along with the north bridge of the motherboard, was transferred to the CPU semiconductor chip. This significantly increased the speed of the Intel Core i5-650. The characteristics of this chip indicate that the DDR3 modules with frequencies of 1066 MHz and 1333 MHz will function best in conjunction with it. The maximum amount of addressable RAM in this case is 16 GB.
Operating frequencies
The minimum clock speed for the Intel Core i5-650 is 3.2 GHz. The specifications, as noted earlier, of this CPU indicate support for TurboBust technology. Its essence boils down to the fact that in the process of functioning of the processor device its frequency changes. This takes into account a number of factors:
The degree of heating of the silicon crystal.
The number of cores involved in the processing of program code.
The level of difficulty of the problem.
The maximum value of the frequency in this case can reach 3.47 GHz.
Integrated graphics card
A serious innovation of the first generation of chips based on the microprocessor architecture of the Core was that the integrated graphics accelerator "migrated" from the system board into one case with the CPU. This chip model uses Intel's HD Graphics. Its operating frequency was equal to only 733 MHz. Also, this graphic product had a minimum level of speed, which was only enough to solve office problems. In all other cases, the computing system must have been equipped with a discrete graphics card.
Reviews of the owners of this semiconductor crystal. Its cost
The intermediate link between the chips of the i3 and i5 families was Intel Core i5-650. The characteristics, price and list of supported technologies only confirm this. On the one hand, this processor has only 2 modules for carrying out program code, but there is support for proprietary NT technology, which allows you to turn real 2 cores into 4 "virtual" ones at the software level. On the other hand, a larger cache size, an increased frequency formula and support for TurboBust technology are obvious attributes of the i5 family of CPUs. It is precisely these features of this semiconductor solution that are indicated by reviews from the global web. The recommended cost of this microprocessor is $ 177. In reality, the owner of such a product could be for 240-250 dollars.
Summary
In 2010, the hero of this review became a really excellent mid-range processor. He provided a level of performance that allowed him to solve any problems for a long time. For this reason , the Intel Core i5-650 was a worthy basis for both the graphics station and the gaming PC. The characteristics of this semiconductor solution continue to be still relevant for solving already modern problems. At the same time, even the most demanding toys on it will be launched, but not at maximum settings. A review of the Intel Core i5-650 and Core i3 550 indicates that they are almost identical CPUs at the level of specifications and hardware. The only difference is that the i5-650 supported dynamic frequency change technology, and this allowed to obtain a higher level of performance. At the same time, the recommended price for these chips was identical - $ 177.