Core i7 New Features

The headline new features of Intel's new Core i7 processor

LGA1366 – A BRAND NEW SOCKET

Core i7 CPUs are larger than Core 2 processors, a result of having to accommodate an integrated memory controller, rather than an external memory controller in the Northbridge. This means that Core i7 requires a new CPU socket design, with 1,366 contact pins rather than the 775 of the LGA775 socket.

Intel has imaginatively called the new socket LGA1366. As LGA1366 is much bigger than LGA775, the two sockets are completely incompatible, so you’ll need a new CPU cooler for your Core i7 system. Unfortunately, Intel hasn’t taken the opportunity to ditch the split-pin mounting leg mechanism of LGA775 coolers.

AN INTEGRATED MEMORY CONTROLLER

The memory controller of Nehalem has three channels, and Intel states that you’ll need three sticks of DDR3 for optimal memory performance. The main advantage of having three memory channels is the enormous memory bandwidth it provides. Core i7 only works with DDR3 memory.

INTEL X58 CHIPSET

Without a memory controller taking up space, the chipset of a Core i7 motherboard is much more streamlined than previous generations. The first Core i7 chipset will be Intel’s X58 Express, which provides 36 PCI-E 2.0 lanes for single 16-lane, dual 16-lane or quad 8-lane graphics setups. ATI’s CrossFire will work on all X58 motherboards, and most will also run Nvidia’s SLI.

SLI AND CROSSFIRE ON ONE MOTHERBOARD

SLI support on X58 is a touch controversial, however, as Nvidia has always insisted that SLI works best on Nvidia chipsets with nForce 100 or 200 chips. However, none of the initial X58 motherboards won’t have any on-board Nvidia hardware, and yet some can run two-card SLI.

If the motherboard doesn’t have an nForce 200 chip, the manufacturer can add code to the BIOS of the board and send the board to Nvidia for qualification. SLI certification is optional, although most manufacturers have chosen to add SLI support of some kind. However, you should read X58 motherboard reviews carefully to determine whether or not they support SLI.

Click here for the first review of a Core i7 motherboard

QUICKPATH - DITCHING THE FSB

Intel has ditched the ageing Front Side Bus standard in favour of the QuickPath Interconnect (QPI). This connects the processor to its memory and to the rest of the system and provides huge amounts of bandwidth to both.

For example, AMD uses the HyperTransport 3.0 standard on its Socket AM2+ motherboards to deliver up to 17.1GB/sec of bandwidth from CPU to its DDR2 memory, and up to 16GB/sec between the CPU and the rest of the system.

Intel’s QPI blows these ludicrously high figures out of the water though, with up to 32GB/sec bandwidth between the CPU and its DDR3 memory, and up to 25.6GB/sec of bandwidth between the CPU and the rest of the system.