Intel this week unleashed a pair of new unlocked fourth-generation Core desktop chips code named Devil's Canyon, as well as a new unlocked Pentium processor.

The quad-core Intel Core i7 4790K has eight computing threads and a base clock speed of 4.0GHz which can be throttled up to 4.4GHz in Turbo mode. It has Intel HD 4600 graphics clocking at 1250MHz, 8MB of cache, supports two channels of DDR3-1600 memory, and draws 88 watts.

The quad-core Intel Core i5 4690K has four computing threads and a 3.5GHz base clock, which hits 3.9GHz in Turbo mode. This chip is also packing Intel HD 4600 graphics at a slightly lower frequency, 1200MHz. Also drawing 88W and supporting two channels of DDR3-1600 memory, the Core i5 4690K has 6MB of cache.

The Core i7 4790K is priced at $339 and the Core i5 4690K will set you back $242, slotting into the same price points as the older Core i7 4770K and Core i5 4670K, respectively. Both new processors will be available this month and drop into Intel's newly available, socket 1150-compatible 9 Series motherboards.

Intel Unlocked Pentium G3258/Credit: Intel

Intel's 9 Series chipset supports both fourth-generation and fifth-generation Core processors. The new PC platform introduces Intel Rapid Storage Technology with Intel RST for PCIe Storage, providing "up to 67 percent" faster storage than than SATA Gen 3, according to the company, as well as Intel Device Protection Technology with Boot Guard.

The 9 Series chipset also carries over some key technologies from previous-generation platforms, such as Intel Small Business Advantage and PCI Express 2.0 at 5 GT/s, while providing high-speed SATA 6 Gb/s support for SSDs and HDDs, and integrated USB 3.0 in a "flexible" I/O port architecture, Intel said.

Intel OEM partners with Devil's Canyon-ready Series 9 boards ready to go include Gigabyte, Asus, ASRock, MSI, and EVGA.

The new Intel Pentium G3258 is priced at $72, slots into the Socket 1150, and lands in the Pentium family between the Pentium G3240 ($64) and the Pentium G3440 ($75). The Pentium G3258 is a dual-core, 3.2GHz part with two computing threads, 3MB of cache, and a 53W power draw. The new part supports dual-channel DDR3-1333 memory and packs in 1100 MHz Intel HD Graphics.

The Pentium G3258 is compatible with both Intel's 8 Series and 9 Series chipsets and is also being made available in June.

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