[nq] "After months of rumors and speculation, Intel's 4th generation Core CPUs, code-named Haswell, are here. Haswell CPUs are a "tock"-- that is, a new microarchitecture-- in Intel's "tick-tock" annual release cycle. Based on the same 22nm fabrication process and 3-D transistors introduced with last year's Ivy Bridge CPUs, Haswell brings with it a new socket 1150, which means that you can't just drop it in to replace an Ivy Bridge or Sandy Bridge CPU, since you'll need a new motherboard. But what new features and performance does Intel's Haswell processor bring with it? Let's find out. "