Munich  - Officially named Core i7, Intel's latest quadcore processor, developed under the codename Nehalem, has arrived and already met with lots of praise.

This is Intel's first quadcore with four individual processor cores - the Core 2 Quads, which have been available since 2006, work with a pair of dual core chips and Computer Bild magazine has already tested the new chip.

The report hailed the top-of-the-line Core i7-965, with a speed of 3.2 gigahertz (GHz), "the fastest processor, by far" of all the processors it has ever tested.

Along with the i7-965, Intel will also release two other versions of the chip: the i7-940 with 2.93 GHz and the i7-920 with 2.66 GHz. These new chips also operate noticeably faster than Intel's current top model, the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770.

The four, individual processor cores certainly contribute to the higher speed as they can access the computer's temporary memory cache individually. Intel has also beefed up its Hyperthreading technology, which allows the processor to perform more functions simultaneously.

The key is not that there are now four individual cores instead of two duals, says Intel spokesman Martin Strobel, of the company's Munich offices. Instead, he points to the new Memory-Controller, which is located in the processor housing and speeds up data connections between the chip and the working memory.

The i7 dispenses with the Frontsidebus, which older computers use to connect the processor and the rest of the computer. Instead, the i7 uses a point-to-point connection dubbed QuckPath Interconnect. Strobel says this new technology is comparable to that of the PCIexpres graphics card.

Additionally, the i7 is finished with 45-nanometer production technology, instead of the 65-nanometer standard of past chips. That means more transistors will fit into the same space, increasing its speed.

However, the new processor architecture requires a newer, compatible motherboard, which is why the i7 cannot be installed into older computers without an updated motherboard. Compatible motherboards are expected to hit the market soon.

Unsurprisingly, the new technology comes at a high price. The high-end version will cost more than 1,000 euros (1,290 dollars). The 940 version will sell for about 700 euros while the 920 will cost about 350 euros. Computers equipped with the latter version will cost about 1,100 euros, says Andreas Brohme, chip expert with Computer Bild.

Who would benefit from such an investment? "The i7 is not necessarily for people who surf the internet and use a few office applications," says Strobel. "You don't need this for Office," adds Brohme. "Unless you're working with gigantic Excel tables." The i7 also does not work any faster with audio editing than current Intel chips.

But the i7 does give a boost when working with photos or videos. Gamers will benefit in most cases, said Brohme. Intel claims players of Assassin's Creed and Far Cry 2 will be able to see a difference. Both are very graphics-intensive games.

AMD, which competes with Intel, also has a quadcore processor for PCs. Its Phenom X4 is noticeably cheaper than Intel's version, says spokesman Michael Schmid. However, it is still based on 65-nanometer production technology and cannot keep up, says Brohme.

Still, AMD will probably launch its own contender soon and recently presented its own server quadcore based on 45-nanometer technology. (dpa)