Preview When Intel launched the ‘Nehalem’ architecture-based Core i7 – codenamed ‘Bloomfield’ – and the X58 chipset in November 2008, we assumed that the anticipated mid-range follow up would be called Core i5.
LGA1156 vs LGA1366: on top…
This mid-range processor – codenamed ‘Lynnfield’ – was flagged as a replacement for Core 2. It will use a new, LGA1156 processor socket and feature an integrated PCI Express graphics controller (1 x 16 or 2 x 8). Like Bloomfield, it will have an integrated DDR 3 memory controller, but it will be a dual-channel job rather than the triple-channel unit found in Bloomfield.
But it hasn’t quite worked out that way.
Lynnfield is Core i7 and Core i5. Specifically, it appears as the Core i7 800 series and Core i5 700 range. Officially, Bloomfield is the Core i7 900 line.
The differences between the two new families of processor are quite slight despite the apparent gulf between the Core i7 and i5 names. The memory controller on the i7 800 has been cut down from the i7 900 and the QPI link has been replaced with DMI (Direct Media Interface). If you read our feature on DDR 3 performance on Core i7, the prospect of losing the triple-channel controller is unlikely to cause you any concern. Read the rest of this entry »
Review Intel launched its new Core i7 975 Extreme on the first day of Computex and now it’s time to put this über processor through its paces.
The old Core i7 965 Extreme has a clock speed of 3.2GHz (24 x 133MHz) and the new 975 Extreme runs a tad faster, 3.33GHz (25 x 133MHz), so we’re looking at a four per cent increase in performance. The rest of the features remain unchanged, including the 130W TDP, so the 975 is a drop-in replacement for the 965 if you’re prepared to spend £800 to get an extra 133MHz.
Intel’s Core i7s: stepping up from the first release
We ran the 965 and 975 back-to-back on an Asus P6T SE motherboard with 3GB of Kingston DDR 3-2000 memory, an AMD ATI Radeon HD 4890 graphics card and an Intel X25-M SSD, all operating under Windows Vista Ultimate Edition.
The short version of the review is that the 975 does indeed deliver four per cent more performance than the 965 but with a slightly higher power draw. We are all in favour of higher performance but in this case the extra grunt is just about the least interesting thing about the new chip. Read the rest of this entry »
Review Intel’s new Xeon 5500 series uses the chip giant’s ‘Nehalem’ architecture to effectively put a pair of Core i7 CPUs on a workstation motherboard.
That news should come as a pleasant surprise, but of course Apple ruined our fun when it launched its new Mac Pro a couple of weeks ago, which appears to be based on the new chips. And, try as we might, we can’t think of another company that would so wantonly shred an Intel NDA without so much as a blush.
The speeds and feeds of the new Xeons cover a total of nine models, although we hear there will be other variants including dual-core and low-voltage models. There are five mainstream E5500 CPUs with a TDP of 80W and clock speeds that start at 2GHz and go up to 2.53GHz. Three X5500 models have a TDP of 95W, starting with the X5550 at 2.66GHz which makes it the equivalent of the Core i7 920. The X5560 runs at 2.8GHz and the X5570 runs at 2.93GHz, just like the Core i7 940.
At the top of the tree we have the Xeon W5580 with a clock speed of 3.2GHz and a TDP of 130W which is the equivalent of the Core i7 965 Extreme. Clock speed is a moving target with Nehalem as Turbo mode varies the speed of the CPU dynamically depending on heat, power draw and CPU load. It’s quite likely that your 3.2GHz Core i7 965 Extreme or Xeon W5580 will run up to 3.6GHz when the going gets tough. Read the rest of this entry »
