MAKATI CITY, Philippines—Intel Corp. has introduced what it claims to be its most advanced desktop processor.

The Core i7 is the first member of its Nehalem micro-architecture. It speeds up high performance applications like video editing and immersive 3D gaming by up to 40 percent without increasing power consumption, said Ricardo Banaag, country manager of Intel Technology Philippines Inc., in a briefing.

Featuring on-die power control and Intel’s 45 nanometer high-k metal gate manufacturing process, the Core i7’s so-called “Turbo Boost” technology adjusts the clock speeds of one or all of the four physical cores to boost performance while maintaining power consumption, said Banaag.

“The device brings to computer enthusiasts better processing performance without compromising power consumption,” said Banaag. “It gives them enough computing muscle previously available to high-end computers, thus allowing them to handle process-intensive applications like 3D gaming and video rendering.”

Today’s home PC users are big consumers of multi-threaded applications, such as digital video and media, gaming and communications, Banaag said.

Banaag said the new Intel processor will likely attract PC enthusiasts wanting richer user interface and experience.

When asked if the release of the Core i7 processor will stop the manufacture of Intel Core 2 Duo and Core 2 quad processors, Banaag said they will maintain all lines, noting that the strategy is in line with Intel’s aim to promote the “Core” brand.

The Core i7 processor and the X58 Express Chipset-based Intel desktop board DX58SO Extreme series are now available through PC manufacturers and boxed retail product via online sales.

The new processor line, which includes an “Extreme Edition” version, will carry an “i7” identifier, the first of several new Intel identifiers to come as products are launched next year.

Banaag said a desktop powered with Core i7 sells at a P65,000.