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.
Author: gshv
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.
Author: gshv
Picture of: Intel Core i7 Mobile i7-720QM Mobile processor - BY80607002907AH / BX80607I7720QM
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Type:
64-bit microprocessor
Introduction:
Nov 17, 2008
Technology (micron):
0.022 - 0.045
The number of cores:
2 - 6
Frequency (GHz):
1.06 - 3.6
L3 cache size (MB):
4 - 15