CPU Intel Core i7-920 (Bloomfield)
Author:
Date: 02.12.2008 |
|
Performance tests
Since the graphs are vast enough, we advise you what should be given a special attention to. First, we compared the performance of Core i7-920 versus the QX9650 (Yorkfield). But above all we were interested in the dependence of the performance gain as a result of the architecture change. So we reduced the clock speed of QX9650 to 2.66 GHz. Secondly, we are interested in the speed boost through the Turbo mode in which the clock speed of Core i7-920 is increased to 2.8 GHz. Thirdly, we verified the efficiency of triple-channel memory access as compared to the dual-channel access.
In our test setup, we used the following hardware:
| Test setup |
| Motherboard |
ASUS P5E64 WS Evolution (Intel X48)
ASUS P6T Deluxe (Intel X58) |
| Cooler |
Gigabyte G-Power |
| Video card |
ASUS 8800 GT (GeForce 8800 GT; PCI Express x16)
Driver version: 175.16 WHQL |
| Sound card |
- |
| HDD |
Samsung HD160JJ |
| Memory |
3x1024 MB Qimonda DDR3-1333; |
| Housing |
FSP 550 W |
| OS |
MS Vista |
Let's first take a look at the results of synthetic benchmarks.
Now on to the gaming benchmarks.
Tests of application software.
Video encoding (DivX, Xvid) was measured in seconds, i.e. the less the better.
Data compression (WinRAR) was measured in Kb/sec, i.e. the more, the better.
Judging by the results, the new Nehalem architecture shows the best results in applications optimized for multithreading. Due to the SMT technology, the user gets quite a substantial speed gain in such applications. The same performance gain is offered by applications whose speed depends on the memory bandwidth. Besides, if we launch quite an "ancient" program that does not make use of the latest processor technologies, the Nehalem architecture anyway proves a bit faster. The thing is, the computational core of the Core architecture has also undergone modifications and improvements.
As regards the Turbo mode, it gives a proportional (to the increase of the CPU multiplier by 1) speed gain in most applications. Finally, the difference in speed of the dual-channel and triple-channel memory access modes is quite negligible. But that is not a sign of the poor implementation of the 3-channel mode but of a superb implementation of the 2-channel. In particular, the memory latency in the 2-channel mode is much lower, which raises the overall system performance.
Final Words
As we have found out, the Nehalem architecture is an evolutionary move in the progress of the Core product line. The amount of changes and new technologies is so vast that it would be more appropriate to use the phrase "an evolutionary leap". However, from the practical viewpoint, the pure speed gain is not so significant as it was when the Core 2 Duo emerged. So, for the first time the new processors on the Bloomfield core may be interesting to no one else but enthusiasts and some professional users. Enthusiasts are usually interested in the most recent developments, and there are two news items for them. The good news is that the change of the platform (LGA 1366 + X58) will let use the NVIDIA SLI and AMD CrossFire technologies with Intel's most recent processors. The bad news is that judging by the test specimen of Intel Core i7-920 the overclocking capability of the Bloomfield core is relatively not high. In fact, we'll come back to these topics in the forthcoming materials. For professional users, there is only good news. First, Bloomfield processors are faster than their predecessors. And if the software is optimized for multithreading or if the operation speed depends on the memory bandwidth, or if there is optimization for the additional instruction set SSE 4.2, then the new processors are much faster.
Now a few words on the costs related to migration to the new platform. Besides the processor itself (whose cost is within reasonable ranges), the user will be a motherboard based on the Intel X58 chipset. To date, it is the only chipset that supports Intel's new processors. If the user wants to enjoy the advantages of the triple-channel memory access, he would either have to purchase a matching memory kit or (which is much cheaper) to buy the third module (preferably of the same type as the other two modules). And of course, a new cooler will be needed. In fact, the cooler is an issue only for overclocking fanciers who plan a substantial raise of voltage on the CPU. For the other users, the efficiency of Intel's boxed cooler is quite sufficient.
- Discuss the material in the conference
 |
Content: |
 |
|
|
Top Stories: |
|
 |
|
MoBo:
|
|
|
|
VGA Card:
|
|
|
|
CPU & Memory:
|
|
|
