It’s not everyday that we get to witness the launch of a new microprocessor architecture. However, today is the start of the “tock” portion of Intel’s tick-tock CPU initiative which means, that Intel’s latest microprocessor architecture code-named Nehalem is finally upon us. OK.. well sort of you won’t actually be able to purchase these processors until the end of the month or so but all the official news reviews are now out and folks – this CPU is a screamer. Officially known as the Intel Core i7, some of the basics on the new architecture are as follows:
Built on a 45nm process - Scales up to 8 processors
- Native quad core processor – four cores on a single die
- Integrated memory controller for the first time
- Hyper-threading enabled
- Three-tier cache system with a large 8MB L3 cache shared by all cores
- Triple channel memory
- New point to point system bus (bye bye front side bus)
- New SSE 4.2 instructions
- New power management features
It’s clear from the get go that the Core i7 architecture is built with servers in mind – which doesn’t necessarily mean it’s bad for desktops or mobile systems. It just means the processors are more efficient than ever before and this is all good news to us.
So let’s start the review parade shall we?
Anandtech starts things off by saying:
Intel has two thirds of the perfect trifecta here. Nehalem brings the ability to work on more threads at a time, redefining video encoding and 3D rendering performance, its SSDs shook the storage world, that just leaves Larrabee…
Next up, we have the TechReport:
The Core i7-965 Extreme is, by far, the fastest processor we’ve ever tested, and it seems clear the Core i7 architecture brings with it a general performance increase over the 45nm Core 2 processors it succeeds.
Tom’s Hardware says the following:
On the whole, the new processors are more efficient, although the system does draw more power at the platform level than the previous generation.
Bjorn3D mentions:
Enthusiasts will be putting out some serious coinage for the Core I7 965 Extreme ($999 To Vendor Price), but unless they want to be left with second best and chasing the heels of speed demons running the Core I7 965, they have no choice. It is the fastest Quad CPU on the Planet!
Over at hardCOREware.net:
So while we’re not quite witnessing the best Nehalem has to offer on the desktop, it’s more than enough to not only win the performance crown, but tip it forward in a cocky manner. At the very least, Core i7 is faster than similarly priced (some prices are estimates) Penryn systems. At best, it just smokes everything in its path.
The oh so hot HotHardware folks say:
Ultimately, we can’t help but be impressed by the new Core i7 processors. The performance, power profile, and overclockability are all very good even at this early stage. Intel clearly has another strong product in their line-up that will undoubtedly appeal to PC enthusiasts and multimedia professionals alike.
And Hexus.net says:
The biggest improvements, we suppose, are how Intel has changed the way the processor interfaces with the system. There are gobs of bandwidth on tap and the QPI remedies many other bandwidth concerns.
here’s a legitimate review from LegitReviews (OK.. I was running out of puns here):
Intel has once again launched a great part that once again increases the performance gap between them and AMD. With the Intel Core i7 pulling so far ahead of the AMD Phenom series of processors it almost makes you wonder if AMD will be able to ever catch up.
LostCircuits had the following:
In a nutshell, the Nehalem is a masterpiece and it will be extremely difficult for any other CPU regardless of which brand to measure up to it.
Offering massive performance increases for people who need their computers to “work” and not play, the Nehalem is just what the doctor ordered. Gaining time and productivity are the aim of a processor of this caliber. Making it a little greener always helps as well. Getting the work done faster for less energy consumed is where the future is headed. Welcome to the future.
PC Perspective gives us their perspective:
Overall, the Intel Core i7 processor launch is a huge success. I can remember vividly questioning Intel’s ability to nail its first attempt at a CPU with an integrated memory controller, a QPI interface and dramatic power efficiency improvements. Intel executed on its roadmap to near perfection and the Core i7 is everything they promised it would be.
Here’s a trusted review from TrustedReviews (argh.. I know.. I hate myself for typing that):
It may not be as revolutionary a release for Intel as Core 2 Duo was, but Core i7 is still a big deal. Nehalem is faster clock for clock than Penryn, uses less power and makes much more efficient use of the power it does draw.
No tea breaks at Tbreak.com:
When we look at everyday usage applications, the new Core i7 965 EE from Intel is reasonably fast. Sure, there are a couple of benchmarks where the identically clocked 3.2Ghz Core 2 Extreme 9850 is a bit faster such as Firefox 2 or iTunes Audio encoding but then we have Photoshop and WinRAR where the Core i7 965 EE gives you bragging rights. With regards to gaming, three out of the five games we tested ran pretty much the same on the Core 2 9850 and the Core i7 965 EE while the other two showed considerable improvements.
Tweaking folks will want to hear the thoughts from TweakTown:
Overall, the Core i7 is definitely a CPU you will want to own, but it comes at a cost. A new board, new CPU and if you’re a DDR2 fanboy, those sticks now have to be binned in favor of DDR3 modules as well. Pricing will no doubt be quite steep for a while, so if you’re wanting some i7 action right now, be prepared to reach deep into those pockets.
Finally we cap things off with ExtremeTech:
The bottom line is that Intel has shipped a winning combination in a new chipset and CPU platform. It’s early in the lifecycle for Core i7, so we’ll be looking forward to what comes next. Meanwhile, you won’t go wrong with a Core i7 system, if you’ve got the budget and application mix to take advantage of it.
