Intel’s Core i7 processors have finally arrived. After two years of the Core architecture dominating the consumer and enthusiast processor landscape Intel is refreshing their line with codename Nehalem. Along with the new processors, we get a new chipset as well, X58 Express. The chipset may sound like its predecessors (X38 and X48) but big changes were in store for it as well, necessitated by the new technologies built into Core i7 and a new socket, LGA 1366. Chip geeks, welcome to flavor country.
The quick summary: Core i7 is very powerful. Workstation performance is generally a big step up from the previous generation while gaming tends to be improved but not by as much. If you are just browsing the internet and doing basic tasks you will still be fine with a Core 2 Duo, but i7 is typically faster (clock for clock) than Core 2 Duo. From a technological standpoint it’s important to know that Core i7 integrates the memory controller into the CPU die which eliminates the need for the front side bus.
There are two other things to note about the release. The first is that your upgrade path from Core 2 Duo has effectively been cut, so if you want a new system you’ll probably just have to do a complete rebuild instead of using many of your old parts. A new socket means that old processors and coolers will not be able to carry over, though this is a big enough leap forward that if you are going to make the change you might want to do a complete switch anyway. The second thing to keep in mind is AMD. Their 45nm quad-core processors will be arriving soon, but it does not seem likely that they will be able to rival Core i7.
According to Hot Hardware Core i7 processors will be available for purchase by the end of the month. The first three released will be the Core 2 Extreme 965 ($999), Core i7 940 ($562), and Core i7 920 ($284). Expect X58 motherboards at about the same time, for around $300.
The quick summary: Core i7 is very powerful. Workstation performance is generally a big step up from the previous generation while gaming tends to be improved but not by as much. If you are just browsing the internet and doing basic tasks you will still be fine with a Core 2 Duo, but i7 is typically faster (clock for clock) than Core 2 Duo. From a technological standpoint it’s important to know that Core i7 integrates the memory controller into the CPU die which eliminates the need for the front side bus.
There are two other things to note about the release. The first is that your upgrade path from Core 2 Duo has effectively been cut, so if you want a new system you’ll probably just have to do a complete rebuild instead of using many of your old parts. A new socket means that old processors and coolers will not be able to carry over, though this is a big enough leap forward that if you are going to make the change you might want to do a complete switch anyway. The second thing to keep in mind is AMD. Their 45nm quad-core processors will be arriving soon, but it does not seem likely that they will be able to rival Core i7.
According to Hot Hardware Core i7 processors will be available for purchase by the end of the month. The first three released will be the Core 2 Extreme 965 ($999), Core i7 940 ($562), and Core i7 920 ($284). Expect X58 motherboards at about the same time, for around $300.
