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Intel Core i7

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Template:Future chip Template:Infobox CPU QPI Intel Core i7 is a family of three Intel Desktop x86-64 processors. Core i7 is the first Intel family to be released using the Intel Nehalem microarchitecture and is the successor to the Intel Core 2 family. All three models are quad-core processors.[1] The Core i7 identifier applies to the initial family of processors[2][3] codenamed Bloomfield.[4] The moniker Core i7 does not have a deeper meaning, but continues the use of the successful Core 2 and Core brands.[5]

Intel announced that the family is due to be launched in Q4 2008[3], but several sources have reported the dates differently.[6] [7][8] The most recent such report states that the launch date is November 17, 2008. [9] [10]

Core i7 Features

Nehalem represents the largest architectural change in the Intel x86 family since the Pentium Pro in 1995. The Nehalem architecture has many new features. The ones that represent significant changes from the Core 2 include:

  • The FSB is replaced by a QuickPath interface.This means that motherboards must use a chipset that supports QuickPath. As of October 2008, only the Intel X58 does this.
  • The memory controller is on the processor, not in a separate chip, so the memory is directly connected to the processor.
  • The memory controller supports three channels of memory, and each channel can support one or two DDR3 DIMMs. This means that motherboards for the Core i7 have six DIMM slots instead of four, and that DIMMs should be installed in sets of three, not two.
  • The Core i7 only supports DDR3.
  • Core i7 is a single-die device: all four cores, the memory controller, and all cache are on a single die.
  • Core i7 cores re-implement Hyper-threading. Each of the four cores can process two threads simulaneously, so the processor appears to the OS as eight CPUs. This feature was present in the older Netburst architecure but was dropped in Core.
  • Core i7 has an on-die shared 8MB L3 cache.
  • Core i7 is not intended for multi-processor motherboards, so it has only one QuickPath interface.

Processors

Core i7
Model[11] 		Process Cores
(Threads) 		Speed
GHz 		Price
[8],[12] 		Cache Memory
Controller 		QuickPath
Interface 		TDP Socket Release
date
965 Extreme Edition 45nm 4
(8) 		3.2 $999,$1412,£822 256 KB L2/core
8 MB shared L3 		3xDDR3
800/1066 MHz[13] 		1x 6.4 GT/s 130W[14] LGA1366 Q4 2008
940 2.93 $562,$720,£470 1x 4.8 GT/s
920 2.66 $284,$367,£258
Note: The July 2008 estimates[8] were lower than the latest estimates[12]: both are price per unit in lots of 1000 in USD. the last prices and were taken from 'overclockers.co.uk' as they had been posted for pre-order, and thus are retail prices quantity 1 prices in UK pounds. These however, have since been removed.

Performance

File:IntelCorei7Extreme.png
Intel Core i7, Extreme Edition

A 2.93 GHz Core i7 940 system has been used to run a 3DMark Vantage benchmark and gave a CPU score of 17,966.[15] The 2.66 GHz Core i7 920 scores 16,294. A 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo E6600 scores 4,300.[16]

AnandTech tested the Intel QuickPath Interconnect (4.8 GT/s version) and found the copy bandwidth using triple-channel 1066 MHz DDR3 was 12.0 GB/s. A 3.0 GHz Core 2 Quad system using dual-channel 1066 MHz DDR3 achieved 6.9 GB/s.[17]

Overclocking will be possible with the 900 series and a motherboard equipped with the X58 chipset. However, it will not be possible to use "performance" DDR3 DIMMs that require voltages higher than 1.65v, because the integrated memory controller within the Core i7 will be damaged.[18]

Intel has not yet given product names to the Lynnfield and Havendale processors. While they implement the Nehalem architecture, they may not be Core i7. These processors will use a different socket and will different supports chips, requiring a different motherboard design.[19]

Many early articles suggest that i7's design is not ideal for gaming performance. In a test done on leaked hardware, a Core i7 940 compared to a QX9770 shows the Core i7 is slower than Yorkfield clock for clock in 2 games while being faster in the other two. Difference in all cases are small.[20]

In the Super PI 1M test, a Core i7 920 running at 2.66 Ghz finished the test in 15.36 seconds, while a QX9770 (3.2 Ghz) did the test in 14.42 seconds.[21]

References

  1. ^ "Intel Details Upcoming New Processor Generations" (Press release). Intel Corporate. 2008-08-11.
  2. ^ "Meet the Bloggers". Intel Corporation. Retrieved 2008-08-11.
  3. ^ a b "Getting to the Core---Intel's new flagship client brand". Intel Corporation. Retrieved 2008-08-11.
  4. ^ "[Intel Roadmap update] Nehalem to enter mainstream market". ExpReview. 2008-06-10. Retrieved 2008-08-11.
  5. ^ "IDF Fall 2008: Intel un-retires Craig Barrett, AMD sets up anti-IDF camp". Tigervision Media. 2008-08-11. Retrieved 2008-08-11.
  6. ^ "Nehalem Delayed Until 2009". TomsHardware. 2008-08-12.
  7. ^ "Nehalem to launch on November 17th". Fudzilla. 2008-10-09. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |access_date= ignored (help)
  8. ^ a b c "Initial Intel 'Nehalem' CPUs as cheap as chips". Register Hardware. 2008-07-14.
  9. ^ "Intel brings forward Nehalem launch". DigiTimes. 2008-07-24. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ "CORE I7 PROCESSOR RELEASE DATE". 2008-09-01. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  11. ^ [<http://www.hwbox.gr/showthread.php?t=2300 "Box codes"]. 2008-09-16. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  12. ^ a b "Pricing pegged for first three models of Intel's new Core i7 processors". Neo Seaker. 2008-09-16.
  13. ^ "Fudzilla - Bloomfield officially supports only DDR3 800 and 1066". Fudzilla. 2008-09-19. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ^ "Turbo mode with TDP of 130W". Core-i7.com. 2008-08-14. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ^ Nguyen, Tuan (2008-07-09). "'Nehalem' 2.93 GHz Benches Revealed". Tom's Hardware.
  16. ^ "Intel Bloomfield 2.66 GHz: First Comprehensive Evaluation". techPowerUp!. 2008-07-09.
  17. ^ "Intel does it again". AnandTech. 2008-06-05.
  18. ^ Taylor, Paul (03 October 2008). "Performance RAM will damage your Nehalem". The Inquirer. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |access_date= ignored (help)
  19. ^ Botezatu, Bogdan (2008-04-22). "Intel: No Overclocking for Mainstream Nehalems". Softpedia.
  20. ^ "Intel Core i7 940 in Real Test". UneIT. 2008-09-24.
  21. ^ "Intel Core i7 920 Tested". Yobeta.com. 2008-10-04.
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