We were already aware that the Ivy Bridge CPUs Core i3-3227U, i5-3337U, i5-3437U and i7-3687U would replace their Sandy Bridge-based predecessors, but the i7-3537U is a new SKU.

The processor will launch with a clock speed of 2 GHz/3.1 GHz and a TDP of 17 watts. Intel will position the chip between the i7-3667U (2.0 GHz/3.2 GHz) and the 3517U (1.9 GHz/3.0 GHz). Both the 3667U and the 3517U have been available since the launch of Ivy Bridge in Q2 of 2012 and are currently priced at $346 in 1000-unit quantities.

The 3537U will also include Intel's HD 4000 graphics engine and is likely to cater to the needs of notebook vendors to either upgrade their system performance from the 3517U or bring down system pricing from Ultrabooks with the 3667U. We would expect the 3517U to see a considerable price drop soon and be phased out over this year. The 3537U should be priced well below the $346 tray price of the 3667U.