Intel Core i5 655K: Overclocking Made Easy… And Affordable!

By Oik Yusuf Araya
July 27th, 2010 | Categories: Features,Processors

Unlocked multiplier means easier overclock. Instead of increasing the Base Clock frequency, which could adversely affect numerous other peripherals as well, an unlocked multiplier allows you to overclock the processor by simply raising the multiplier value. Usually this feature is reserved exclusively for the more expensive processors, such as Intel’s Extreme Edition series. Processors with unlocked multiplier were a luxury only few could afford, until recently that is.

A few months ago, Intel released the Core i7 875K, the first processor outside the Extreme Edition family that comes with an unlocked multiplier. At USS 350-375, it’s far more affordable compared to the Intel’s usual fare of unlocked processors. Now, you can find an even cheaper alternative in the market, the Core i5 655K. It retails at US$ 216 and, just like Intel’s more expensive offerings, comes equipped with an unlocked multiplier.

Intel Core i5 655K

Specification

Processor	Intel Core i5 655K	Intel Core i5 650	Intel Core i7 875K
Code Name	Clarkdale	Clarkdale	Lynnfield
Number of Cores	2	2	4
Number of Threads	4	4	8
Clock Speed	3.2 GHz	3.2 GHz	2.93 GHz
Max Turbo Frequency	3.46 GHz	3.46 GHz	3.6 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB	4 MB	8 MB
Bus/Core Ratio	24	24	22
Fabrication Process	32 nm	32 nm	45 nm
Memory Types	DDR3	DDR3	DDR3
Memory Channels	Dual	Dual	Dual
Sockets Supported	LGA1156	LGA1156	LGA1156
Max TDP	73 W	73 W	95 W
Integrated Graphics	Yes	Yes	No
Graphics Base Frequency	733 MHz	733 MHz	-
Instruction Set Extensions	SSE4.2	SSE4.2	SSE4.2
AES New Instruction	Yes	Yes	No

Like the other series in its family, the Core i5 655K is based on the 32-nm Clarkdale architecture. Aside from the integrated graphics chip, it is also armed with the new AES-NI instructions to accelerate file encryption processes. Hyperthreading technology adds the number of Core i5 655K’s logical cores from two to four, and Turbo Boost feature adjusts its clockspeed according to the current running task.

In Clarkdale series of processors, the CPU and the integrated graphics processor (IGP) units share the same TDP usage. For example, when both units are active, each of them will use 73 watts of TDP. When the user switches to add-on graphics, the IGP is turned off and more TDP becomes available for the CPU, allowing it to increase its performance. We will show this to you in one of our tests.

From the above table, you can see that the Core i5 655K is strikingly similar in terms of technical specifications with the Core i5 650. The only difference between these two is the unlocked multiplier in the Core i5 655K. The “locked version” of Core i5 655K (that is, the Core i5 650) sells for around US$ 176. So, basically, you’re paying an extra US$ 40 for the unlocked multiplier. Is it worth the money? Let’s find that out!