So today Intel launches these Nehalem based cores on the new name Core i7 as in their 7th architectural generation. A name that will catch on quickly and you’ll get used to it just as quickly as well. No less than three processors are announced today we will take a look at the new 965 extreme edition. We’ll do more though, later this week a couple of x58 motherboard reviews but today we’ll also post an extensive Multi-GPU article to see what kind of effect Core i7 processors have on the hottest gaming gear.
Speaking of architecture, what we’ll do today is to have a deeper look inside the Core i7 processor, the technology, the architecture, a nice little photo-shoot and obviously a decent benchmark session to see where this product establishes itself performance wise. All in all we got a lot to cover, so hover onward to the next page where I’ll show you what specifically is being launched today. See, Intel’s current quads are actually a pair of completely separate dual-core CPU dies glued together in a single processor package. From an engineering perspective, not very sexy. Compared to AMD’s Phenom, not very sexy either as it already has all four cores efficiently arranged on a single die, but it does get the job done.
Well the core from the previous Intel core 2 is far the same as the current core7i while having the memory controller being built in to the die to improve the memory bandwidth and the latency, it is self-evident, with the comparison benchmark the core 7i went ahead with almost 50 percent performance gain in both of the memory bandwidth score and also latency timings. But with few features introduced to the new instruction procedures they most have the same architecture design and layout but also including the memory controller.
If we take the Core i7 920 as shown today, we still are a little in disbelieve.. 284 USD is surely a lot of money for an entry level quad core processor, but the fact is.. it’s a very good amount faster than today’s most high-end 1300 USD QX9770 processor. Now of course due to Intel’s’ strong position the last two years they have been able to keep price high and the performance quite level. The result is a rich contrast in price and performance. But man, I’ll take it, that Core i7 920 is a great little processor.
Core i7 920 can be purchased for sub-300 USD. The wicked Core i7 965 Extreme will be priced at a hefty 999 USD. But quite honestly, after you put down that kind of cash at the teller… The minute after installation you’ll have forgotten that price. It rocks, and it rocks hard … daddy gozta have this, it’s a very good step forward in processor performance.
