Intel officially announced its new Core i7 CPU this week calling it the most advanced processer ever. Core i7 is a member of the Nehalem family and is the most sophisticated processor to come from Intel. The chipmaker claims that the CPU speeds intensive applications like video editing, immersive games, and Internet and computing activities by up to 40%.

The CPU uses Intel Turbo Boost Technology to accelerate performance to match the computer user's needs and workload. An on-die power controller unit uses a new power gate transistor to automatically adjust the CPU clock speed for one or more of the CPU cores. Power saving technology allows the CPU to go into sleep states with power consumption levels normally only available to notebooks.

Three Core i7 parts are available with the most interesting being the Intel Core i7-956 Extreme Edition with a clock speed of 3.20 GHz at $999. Also offered are the Core i7-940 running 2.93 GHz and the Core i7-920 running 2.66 GHz. Those two processors sell for $562 and $284 respectively.

Via Intel