The Intel I7 Core Monster

November 2008 saw one of the most important event in the history of Computing when Intel unveiled the fastest processor on earth aka The Intel I7 Core 965 - Extreme Edition. The fastest processor Intel Core 2 Quad QX9770 became just a predecessor and the computing world was redefined.

So what is that I7 Core Monster Offers making it the best processor ever made? This is the question I can hear from your side. Unfortunately the answer cannot be given in a single line. After you read the statistics below, you too will understand why. So let's start...

Intel I7 Core has two "younger brothers" in the category. The Intel I7 Core 920 and Intel I7 Core 940.

First of all, let us discuss the Architecture of Intel I7 Core 965 EE (Extreme Edition) and find out what changes have been made to it. One thing that we will keep in mind is that all the comparisons will be made between Intel I7 Core 965 EE and Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770. So this will help us better understand the differences between the two.

Now before getting to know the differences lets see what are similarities in them. Both I7 core and Core 2 Extreme QX9770 are built using the 45 nanometer wafer technology, they both are based on Penryn cores and share the same clock speed of 3.2 GHz. The similarities ends here and what we now have a Monster completely different from the former version.

Now here follows the technical stuff that gives the physical differences between the two and clearly votes out the Core 2 Extreme. Intel I7 Core Has 731 Million Transistor on board of 263 mm2. the I7 core does not have a 12MB L2 cache. It instead has a Third level L3 shared cache of 8MB. It has maximum 24 non-turbo unlocked multiplier both up an down. The cooling fan has a size increase too and it is apparent as the new I7 core will be needing a better cooling solution as compared to the former edition. The memory controller is integrated and so you can expect huge memory bandwidth. The Hyper Threading Technology introduced in the Intel Pentium 4 Prescott has made a return with the I7 core and so the I7 core can handle 8 thread simultaneously. It also features improved branch predictions resulting into "Intelligent" computing at higher speeds.

Now comes the benchmarks that you must be interested in if you are not a techy like me. So let us first define the system that will run this monster. Now the board that we will be using is Intel X58 knows more popularly as Intel X58- Smackover. Smackover supports a sizzling speed of 8.5 GB/s between the processor and the RAM and a QPI Speed of 25.6 GB/s. This platform supports a tri-channel DDR3 memory and so we will be using 1 GB modules supplied at 1066 MHz and with latencies of 7-7-7-20 at 1.5 volts.

FUTUREMARK 3DMark Vantage

When the Turbo Mode is disabled I7 core 965 gave a distinct 15 % increase in the speed. While enabling the Turbo Mode gave a performance higher by 19.5 % which is very impressive. This performance increase was achieved without overclocking the processor. In overclocked state the performance delivered by Intel I7 core 965 EE was 30% more as compared to Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 predecessor.

PCMark Vantage

While we tested the two cores for PCMark Vantage, the data we gathered impressed us showing clear signs of Performance shift on the higher side with the I7 core 965 EE overclocked.

Without Overclocking the processor the I7 core outperformed Core 2 Quad Q9650 by 53% and overclocking it gave a performance boost as high as 75%. This is a superb performance that you can expect.

SiSoftware Sandra

These are the tests that you are probably interested in as this will give the basic idea of how fast the system is in terms of Multi-Media support.

The performance boost that a general user can have is in terms of Memory Bandwidth, Processor Arithmetic (How fast is the processor), Multi-Media Support and the Multi-Core Efficiency. Have a look at those test individually and judge yourself!

Memory Bandwidth Performance Tests

The performance tests shows that Integrating the memory controller on the die has helped Intel I7 core squeeze out exceptional memory bandwidth of 18GB/s with just DDR3 RAM at 1066 MHz in normal state. When overclocked, an additional of 3.1 GB/s memory bandwidth is added making a total of 21.1 GB/s. This is impressive and it clearly knocks out the Core 2 Quad Q9650.

Processor Arithmetic Tests

Taking a look at the processor arithmetic, I7 core 965 EE shows a performance boost of 72% in overclocked state and a performance boost of 58% otherwise.

Multimedia Float Test

Multimedia Float Tests show a huge performance boost of 55% over the predecessor. It is impressive as this is the fastest in the Cutting Edge technology specs.

Multi-Core Efficiency

Now this benchmark is designed to test multi-core processors with different architecture. This test will show data related to the connection speed between the cores and not the speed of the cores. As Intel I7 core supports the new QPI technology and have brought back the days of Hyper Threading technology it is definitely going to have its stand above all the processors.

The Core 2 Quad Q9650 processor shows an impressive speed of 18 GB/s. In comparison I7 core fares almost double. But what impressed us most is the I7 core 965 EE overclocked where it registered a speed of 45 GB/s at 3.88 GHz.

CINEBENCH Tests

This benchmark specifically focuses on the Highly Graphics Intensive User Group. So if you are looking for a good solution in terms of Graphics Support and performance, these tests should help make a clear choice without any kind of confusion. These also includes the group of people related with the Video Editing Industry.

Multi-CPU Render

Hereto I7 core fared a good 21% margin over Core 2 Quad Q9650 in normal state and showed a performance boost of 35% in overclocked state. This was achieved due to the inclusion of on-board memory controller and use of Hyper Threading Technology that bypassed the limitations of FSB.

OpenGL Render

The same architecture has also helped I7 Core race ahead of its predecessor and show an impressive boost of 18% in terms of performance with OpenGL Rendering Test.

Adobe Premiere Pro

This superb piece of software is used extensively in the Video Editing Industry and is used widely for video editing. Premiere Pro heavily depends on the CPU configuration and the memory bandwidth available to it for video Rendering. So it is but natural that tests with Premiere Pro will show significant boosts.

The video file that was used in the test was rendered within 29 seconds by the predecessor of I7 core, Core 2 Quad Q9650 while what impressed us was the time taken by I7 core 965 EE. It was just 22 seconds without overclocking and it was 18 seconds with overclocking showing us a boot of little lower than double.

Adobe After Effects Tests

This software too seems to utilizes the benefits offered by the processing monsters in a smart way. Our tests showed us a performance boost of 60 % in rendering of a video file with Adobe After Effects.

Power Consumption

Now comes the tests that we are specifically interested in: Power Consumption. In terms of power consumption Intel I7 core is a "Powerful" Processor. The Intel I7 Core 965 EE consumed almost 337 Watts and 147 Watts in idle state when overclocked. This is definitely huge. The comparisons draws this fact: Though the power consumption of Intel I7 core at peak load is very high, it is very efficient under manageable load conditions or when it is idle.

Final Verdict

The I7 core 965 EE is undoubtedly the emperor and is not going to leave the throne of Fastest Processor on earth in near future. It has easily beaten Core 2 Quad Q9650 in all the tests which was once considered to the best Processor your money can buy and replaced it gracefully. The I7 cores were simply stunning and impressive in the tests specifically related to video editing and rendering showing us a bright future for itself in this industry. All the other processor looked old like the using Pentium II series in comparison with the I7 Cores. A matter of surprise is that the slowest processor in the I7 core series was easily able to beat the once fastest of all times Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650.

All these enhancements and performance boosts were possible due to two major changes that took place in the I7 Core. First i the inclusion of memory controller on the die itself and the use of the new QPI technology instead of the old fashioned FSB. And the Second is the use of Hyper Threading Technology to facilitate higher data transfer speeds between the cores.

Initially purchasing a Extreme PC may burn a hole in the pocket. The processor alone is priced at 1000 USD. And currently there is only one chipset supporting this monster, it is Intel X58. This too is priced heavily and may prove extremely expensive to get the benefits. Though Quality and Performance equals nothing, the ultimate decision is to be taken by you.

Overall, the processor fares well in all the conditions and for now has shown itself as the future of computing and you will not regret the money you spent after a Intel I7 Core 965 EE system.