Quote Originally Posted by Particle View Post
I suppose this would make sense from a business angle, especially if i5s are somehow cheaper to produce. Anyone know if they're a new mask? Anyway, they've already started to establish the i7 brand among "power user" consumers. You know, the people who aren't exactly like us (enthusiasts) but aren't regular consumers, either (cheapskates). Maybe that's the plan. Turn i5 into the mass-market brand and try to milk those users who are going to end up paying more for their i7 systems since there's no more 920.

Of course, i5 is still going to be a nice chip so it's not all bad.
They are a new mask. Its impossible to make an i5 from the i7. (Its also impossible to make i3 from any of the others. Or the Nehalem-EX).

It will be little bit smaller but not much. 5% smaller maybe? QPI+1 memory channel removed and PCIe x16 +DMI(PCIe x4) added.