Intel Core i7 processor families

Intel Core i7 processor families

The latest generation of high-performance Intel x86-compatible microprocessors, branded Core i7, was released on November 17, 2008. Intel Core i7 microprocessors are based on new Nehalem microarchitecture, which, like AMD K8 microarchitecture, replaces Front-Side Bus interface with on-die memory controller with its own dedicated memory bus, and a separate QuickPath Interconnect (QPI) controller that uses point-to-point protocol to communicate with I/O devices and other processors in multi-processor systems. Server-class Core i7 CPUs have two point-to-point links. Other major features of the Nehalem microarchitecture include:

• Simultaneous Multi-Threading feature adds Hyper-Threading technology to each microprocessor core, which allows any Core I7 quad-core CPU to execute 8 threads at the same time.
• Each core now includes very low latency non-shared 256 KB level 2 cache. All cores share large level 3 cache.
• Turbo Boost technology temporary improves CPU performance by increasing core frequency of active cores.
• Quad-core design on a single die. Previous generation of Intel quad-core processors, Core 2 Quad essentially packed two dual-core processors into one package.
• Future Core i7 CPUs may have up to 8 cores.

There are many other performance improvements in Core i7 processors, such as enhanced branch prediction, secondary 512-entry TLB buffer, new SSE4.2 instructions, and others.

Intel Core i7 microprocessors are packaged in 1366-land Land-Grid Array (LGA) package, and require socket 1366 motherboards. Future Core i7 processors may also be packaged into 1156-land LGA package.

Core i7

Picture of: Intel Core i7-920 - AT80601000741AA / BX80601920 / BXC80601920

Core I7 family of quad-core microprocessors incorporates all basic features of the Nehalem microarchitecture - integrated memory controller, Quick Path Interconnect running at 2400 MHz, HyperThreading, Intel 64 technology, 256 KB level 2 cache per core, 8 MB level 3 cache shared between all cores and SSE 4 support. Performance-wise these processors are faster than Core 2 Quad CPUs at the same frequency, and in some applications the difference in performance can be as big as 50%. The Core i7 processors are packaged in new 1366-land LGA package and are not compatible with older Core 2 Duo/Quad motherboards.

Core i7 Extreme Edition

Core i7 Extreme Edition family includes top-performance microprocessors based on Nehalem microarchitecture. Aimed at computer enthusiasts, these processors are always clocked higher than Core I7 CPUs released at about the same time, have higher bandwidth due to faster Quick Path Interconnect links, and always come at premium prices. The Extreme Edition processors also have unlocked clock multiplier. The processors are packaged in the same 1366-land LGA package as the Core i7 CPUs, and require socket 1366 motherboards.

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