We haven't heard anything official from Intel just yet, but according to news and rumor site Fudzilla, the world's largest chip maker plans to limit hyperthreading support in Sandy Bridge to the Core i7 series.

All Core i7 2000 series processors will show eight threads in Windows Task Manager, while Core i5 chips will have this feature disabled. The same holds true for Intel's dual-core Core i3 CPUs - unlike current Core i3 parts, those based on Sandy Bridge will not support Hyperthreading. In addition, Core i3 parts will continue to come stripped of Turbo support.

So why the sudden change in Intel's Hyperthreading strategy? According to Fudzilla, the chip maker wants to better separate its Core ix branding in terms of performance and features.

System builders -- both OEM and the DIY variety -- will soon have a new Intel processor to play with. Slated for release in the third quarter of 2010 is the Core i5 760, one of several mainstream performance parts Intel has in the pipeline.

The Core i5 760 will come clocked at 2.8GHz on each of its four cores and contain 8MB of cache. It will support DDR3-1066/1333 memory and come with a TDP set at 95W. Like all Core i5 chips, this one is for socket 1156 owners.

No word yet on price, but for comparison, the Core i5 750 sells for about $200 street. It's essentially the same chip as the 760, but clocked slightly lower at 2.66GHz. Otherwise, both CPUs feature the same amount of cache, RAM support, and TDP rating.

It will be interesting to see where Intel prices the 760, given that the Santa Clara chip maker also sells an unlocked Core i5 655K clocked at 3.2GHz for $210. Built around a 32nm manufacturing process rather than 45nm like both other chips, the 655K targets overclockers with an unlocked multiplier, though it only has 4MB of cache.