A CPU is a bland looking piece of silicon and various metals. Not much to look at, right? Well, if you’re a geek’s geek, that statement couldn’t be any less true. Truth be told, computer hardware is hot. With that said, take a look at the upcoming Intel Sandy Bridge CPU with all of it’s beauty on display (more or less). Here you can see the result of a higher 2011 pin count over the outgoing king of the hill’s 1366 — a larger, square-ish shape. Specifically, one that will now require two CPU latches/restraints to keep it in place. Yes, it’s big.

The larger size is needed because Intel has gone ahead and implemented plenty of new features directly into the processor chip itself: Integrated graphics unit, PCI-Express controller, and quad-channel memory support. (Yup — Sandy Bridge adopters are going to need lots of new everything…again…)

Being the nerd that I am, fresh off of a recent computer build a couple months back, Sandy Bridge definitely has the potential to win me over. Now we’ll just have to sit back and cross our fingers in hopes that Intel prices these just right. If so, it’ll be time to build another computer.

Any other enthusiasts itching for some new hardware?

Source:
Brightside