Introduction

How many of you have or are still waiting to have FiOS come to your neighborhood? When I first heard of a true fiber optic network that would offer faster internet speeds, as well as making my HD viewing experience 20 times better than I was getting with DSL or cable, I was elated. I remember calling Verizon every month just to see what the progress was on getting FiOS installed at my house. The worst part of the wait was getting little teasers from my friends whose areas had just installed it and they were scheduled to have it hooked up. Of course, I had to see for myself, so I went over their houses for my teaser drooling and every time I saw how much better HD TV looked or how fast they were downloading files off the internet. This was something I had to have and the teasers were driving me crazy.

Well everyone, another wait is over. Intel has launched their much anticipated Core i5 and Core i7 LGA 1156 (socket) processors, as well as the new Intel P55 chipset. Many of us have been waiting on a more affordable solution from Intel that will compete with, or best, AMD's line of mainstream processors, the Phenom II, and finally, Intel has answered.

The Intel Core i5 and Core i7 line of LGA 1156 processors start at price points that beat or meet AMD's Phenom II processors. The Core i5 and i7 processors, combined with the new Socket LGA 1156 Intel P55 motherboard and chipset, boast the potential to bring a new level of performance to the OEM and DIY market. The new Core series should provide more powerful processing power for gaming, digital media and every day computing at a price that is more affordable than the existing Core i7 LGA 1366 series.