The latest high-end processor family from Intel, the four-processor Core i7 CPU, introduces a number of architectural changes from the company's previous top-line models. For example, the chips speeds memory access by controlling it with onboard circuitry. The design works with a new system bus, chipset, and socket format—in other words, plan on buying a different motherboard from any you currently own. You might be purchasing memory, too—the chip supports only DDR3. The new memory architecture can transfer data at up to about 30GB/s, and the new QuickPath Interconnect internal bus can move information at peak rates of 25GB/s, depending on the CPU version. The top-of-the-line Intel Core i7 965 Extreme Edition screams, but neither it (at $1,100, street) nor the current motherboards for it are cheap. Luckily, processors in this highly capable family start at about $300. If you can afford the 965 Extreme Edition and the hardware it needs, you'll get the fastest CPU around. If you'd just like the best performance/price ratio, the i7 920 is hard to beat.

For more on the Intel Core i7 965, check out our sister site Extremetech.com