Intel Core i7 Processor and Intel X58 Express Chipset Reviewed

The new Intel Core i7 processor is based on the Nehalem microarchitecture that has 1366 pins instead of the usual 775. Partnered with the Core i7 processors, is the Intel X58 Express chipset which features the LGA 1366 socket.

Intel Core i7 processor:

• Codename: Bloomfield
• 4 cores
• 4 x 256KB L2 cache
• 8MB L3 cache
• Triple-channel DDR3 memory controller
• LGA 1366 socket (a.k.a Socket B)
• Core Frequencies - 3.2GHz (965), 2.93GHz (940), 2.66GHz (920)
• 130W Thermal Design Power
• Processor input voltage (VID) - 1.160v
• .045-micron manufacturing process
• MSRP - $999 (965), $562 (940), $284 (920)

Intel X58 Express chipset:

• X58 North Bridge
• PCI Express 2.0 graphics bus, support for Multi-card configurations: 1x16, 2x16, 4x8, or other combination
• ICH10 South Bridge
• 6 serial ATA ports, eSATA
• 12 x USB 2.0 ports
• Intel Gigabit LAN Connect
• Intel High Definition Audio
• Optional: Intel Matrix Storage Technology
• Optional: Intel Turbo Memory with User Pinning

Various sites took a good look at the Core i7 processors, and the X58 Express chipset as well:

"Intel's new Core i7 series of processors is a modern marvel of technology that brings previously inaccessible performance to the consumer. In areas where multi-threaded applications are dominant, heavy multi-tasking is the norm or multimedia encoding is the primary function, the move to a HyperThreaded Core i7 part is a no brainer. But Intel's biggest problem might not have anything to do with AMD or another outside source: the fact is that the Core 2 Quad processors are still fantastic performers, widely available and pretty damn cheap. Anyone that has a quad-core system will likely not find a compelling performance benefit to upgrade from it to a Core i7 unless they subscribe to one of the usage models mentioned above." [PCPerspective | Nehalem Revolution: Intel's Core i7 Processor Complete Review]

"Nope, no need to make this a long conclusion at all. Core i7 architecture rocks, and it rocks hard. At launch, Core i7 will be available in quad-core trim. An eight-core version is penciled in for next year and that too will have all its cores crammed into a single die. So the basis that Intel is laying down today is just the beginning. It's like little seeds planted to grow into something big. The one thing that Core i7 needs though are mainboards with a cheaper chipset. At launch you'll be forced to buy the X58 series main board, and they will likely start at 200-250 USD, which is far away from mainstream performance and pricing." [Guru3D | Intel Core i7 920 and 965 review]

"In a few instances, the Core 2 Extreme is able to come close clock-for-clock, but overall there is no denying the Core i7 represents a significant step up in performance. Even at this early stage, we were also impressed by the X58 Express chipset-based motherboards we tested. Throughout our entire battery of tests, which took place over the better part of week, we did not experience any instability whatsoever and everything we connected to the boards 'just worked'. ... 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." [HotHardware | Intel Core i7 Processors]

"If you're a gamer, Core i7 offers incremental improvements; you'll want to make sure you have a robust GPU platform to take advantage of the new CPU. However, for content creation authors, Core i7 will likely represent a significant increase in productivity. If you're heavily engaged in 3D content creation, video authoring or photo editing, even the lower-end Core i7's are good choices. ... 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." [ExtremeTech | Intel Core i7 Review]

"Unlike the Core 2 Quads, which still consisted of two dual-core CPUs, the Core i7 is a native quad-core processor. On the whole, the new processors are more efficient, although the system does draw more power at the platform level than the previous generation. ... The new CPUs will only work on expensive boards based on Intel's current high-end chipset, the X58. Also, it runs exclusively with DDR3 memory, which isn't exactly cheap either. The new LGA1366 socket requires a new cooler, and water cooling solutions may become a much less attractive option due to the CPUs' built-in performance limiting features. It is up to the motherboard makers to prove their creativity and come up with solutions to this challenge." [Tom's Hardware | Intel's Core i7]

"the cost of switching over to the Core i7 platform would require a substantial investment. The Core i7-965 Extreme Edition at just under US$1000 may be relatively cheap compared to the Core 2 Extreme QX9770 (~US$1500) but the added cost of changing the entire platform (LGA1366 compatible motherboard and suitable 1.6V DDR3 memory) will give users some pause. ... Considering the general enthusiast point of view, we're not entirely sold on it yet, but with an eye towards the future, it's probably the best single modular architecture Intel could come up with that would suit the home, workstation and server segments needs now and in the near future." [HardwareZone | Changing for the Future - Intel's Core i7]

"Unlike Conroe, Intel's latest microarchitecture delivers an evolutionary rather than revolutionary performance increase over its predecessor, although in some apps it has the potential to deliver performance that's truly groundbreaking. Core i7 is without a doubt the finest processor Intel's ever produced and we don't see AMD delivering anything that's performance competitive with this CPU in the near future. ... the only downside is we wish Intel offered a lower cost alternative to X58 at launch. As it stands now, the Core i7 CPU we're recommending most, the Core i7-920, will probably end up selling for about the same price as the X58 motherboard underneath it. The cost of upgrading to the Core i7 platform is probably going to keep a lot of enthusiasts on a budget from upgrading today, and that's a shame in our opinion, as it's certainly a fun platform to play with. Turbo Mode in particular is a really exciting feature." [FiringSquad | Intel Core i7 (Nehalem) Performance Preview]

"the Core i7 has proven to be extremely powerful, as it easily put away the Core 2 Quad Q9650 in almost every test we ran. ... the slowest processor in the Core i7 range (920) was able to defeat over and over the Core 2 Quad Q9650 which runs at a higher clock speed (3GHz) and before this day was one of the best CPUs money could buy. ... Overall the new Core i7 architecture has certainly impressed us, living up to all expectations. The future continues to look bright for Intel as we expect many more processors based on the Bloomfield core to be released, while the prospect of 32nm Westmere processors by 2010 has got us licking our lips. If we can make one prediction is that you won't regret investing money in the new Intel LGA1366 platform." [TechSpot | Intel Core i7 920, 940 and 965 Extreme Edition review]

"Intel's new processor seems to owe very little to Core 2 yet it behaves like Core 2 on steroids. At any given clock speed, you get more performance out of Core i7. On the downside, it also demands more power. ... Core i7 takes over where Core 2 tails off and it delivers an impressive level of performance while raising clock speeds by only a small amount. The move away from the antique frontside bus is welcome and the Turbo Mode looks promising, but the power saving features seem to need some development." [RegHardware | Intel Core i7 'Nehalem' processor and X58 chipset]

"A decent system with a Core 2 Duo processor at 3.0 GHz will give you roughly the same amount of performance as this Core i7 did, except in the situations where you get CPU bound of course (lower resolution). The reality is that enthusiast consumers have high-end gear, thus typically work and game in a resolution above 1600x1200. And that's where your GPU is a bottleneck, and the CPU hardy has an effect. That role can obviously change with faster graphics cards released in the future, but right now it's the reality. ... In all honesty we have to say, our feelings towards the Intel DX58SO are a bit of mixed bag, even if it is a reference mainboard, we'll even advise you to at the very least carefully look at other X58 board partners." [Guru3d | Intel X58 Extreme DX58SO motherboard review]

"And summing up the results of our today's test session we have to admit that this experience left pretty ambiguous impression. ... If this review had been discussing server processors and not desktop ones, the conclusions could have been not just more optimistic, but almost ecstatic. However, we first met Nehalem in its desktop incarnation, so its most important advantages cannot really show their best. ... However, we don't want you to think that we didn't like the new Core i7 processor we have just tested. The new CPU and the new platform based on Intel X58 Express chipset are undoubtedly excellent products. New Core i7 are indisputably better in most aspects than Core 2 Quad CPUs of comparable price." [X-bit Labs | Intel Core i7 Review]

If you are already using an Intel Core 2 Quad processor, I'd say just wait until more motherboard chipsets that will support LGA 13366 are introduced. Chances are, changing your present setup won't exactly be cost effective. If you are building a new system, on the other hand, there's no reason not to go the Core i7 path.

IceRocket : core i7, intel, lga 1366, socket b, x58