Intel Core i7 review roundup

We've already seen a few benchmarks of Intel's new Core i7 processor, but if you're still craving some more details about Intel's latest and greatest you now have plenty more than that to chew on, with reviews, overviews, and yet more benchmarks pouring in left and right. As you might expect, most sites are describing the CPU as a very big deal for Intel, with the folks at Maximum PC even going so far as to call it the company's "most significant CPU launch in, well, ever." What's more, as those early benchmarks hinted at, it doesn't look like there's too many folks disappointed with the new processors, with even the "low end" Core i7 920 able to defeat the higher clock speed Core 2 Quad Q9650 "over and over" according to TechSpot, a feat due in large part to the CPU's on-die memory controller and Intel's new QPI technology. The first few systems shipping with the processor also look to have been fairly well received, with Slash Gear finding that Gateway's new Core i7 920-based FX6800-01e delivered a reasonable but not revolutionary upgrade over its Core 2 Quad-based predecessor, and Computer Shopper also finding plenty of things to like in new systems from Falcon Northwest and iBuypower, though the price of each of those systems is another matter. That, of course, is just skimming the surface, and if you've got a few hours to spare, you can find plenty more to keep you busy by diving into the links below.

Read - PC Perspective. "Nehalem Revolution: Intel's Core i7 Processor Complete Review"
Read - Techgage, "Intel Core i7 Performance Preview"
Read - Maximum PC, "Core i7 Dissected and Benchmarked"
Read - Computer Shopper, "Intel's Core i7 Debuts: Systems, CPUs, and Motherboards Reviewed"
Read - HotHardware, "Getting To Know Intel's New Core i7, Video Spotlight"
Read - HotHardware, "Intel Core i7 Processors: Nehalem and X58 Have Arrived"
Read - TechSpot, "Intel Core i7 920, 940 and 965 Extreme Edition review"
Read - Custom PC, "Intel Core i7 - all you need to know"
Read - SlashGear, "Gateway FX6800-01e Review"

[tbone @ Nov 3rd 2008 1:45PM]

this is good and all, i just don't like that i'd have to upgrade my mobo and ram along with the cpu all at the same time.

[Kamokazi @ Nov 3rd 2008 2:01PM]

With a few exceptions, even if the same socket type, to be able to get a worthwhile CPU upgrade, you generally have to upgrade at least the motherboard, and usually the ram too. A CPU that is advanced enough over what you currently have should require a new chipset to utilize it.

I've built dozens of systems, and only once have I upgraded the CPU in an existing board.

[nerdtalker @ Nov 3rd 2008 2:24PM]

So, no anandtech review: http://anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/intel/showdoc.aspx?i=3448 ?

Fail.

[sr @ Nov 3rd 2008 2:57PM]

Kamo, I agree. You have to upgrade the board anyway to make it worthwhile.


nerdtalker, seriously. They left out the one that counts.

[S @ Nov 3rd 2008 9:30PM]

I agree. You have been able to use the same motherboard and grandfather it along for the past 3 years or so. But such is progress, and at least it's for a good reason this time, the on-chip memory controller has been a long time coming for intel. To be honest, I'm more pissed about the ddr3 requirement than the motherboard one, as ddr2 is so dirt cheap while ddr3 is quite expensive still!

[BananaBoat @ Nov 4th 2008 9:11AM]

The only reason they are requiring DDR3 is because so many RAM producers are close to bankruptcy from the insanely low price of DDR2 ram.

Anyway, I've said my piece on why you shouldn't bother with Core i7 right now anyway, so I'll save it. All I'll say is that it would be smart to wait for the non-enthusiast motherboards (the successor to P45 instead of X58). You can get a great P45 mobo right now for 100 bucks, so if you give it a month or two, the P45's successor should be out, and around that price. You'll still pay out the ass for DDR3 ram, but atleast you'll save a bit on the mobo.

[steve @ Nov 3rd 2008 1:46PM]

Wouldn't want to have shares in AMD right now. Or shares in anything for that matter...

[Jash Sayani @ Nov 3rd 2008 1:48PM]

Great performance comes with great processors....!!

[Cubfan786 @ Nov 3rd 2008 1:49PM]

Are they out retail yet???
If so how are the prices??

[holycow @ Nov 3rd 2008 1:58PM]

Top of the line 3.8 GHz goes for $1075.95.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/02/intels-core-i7-purchased-overclocked-benchmarked/

[Kamokazi @ Nov 3rd 2008 2:03PM]

Yep.

The next step down (940) will probably MSRP for $500-$600, and the low end(920) should come in around $250-300.

I'd personally opt for the low-end....clock speed differences aren't worth the price premium....the new architecture is going to be the main performance increase.

[Kamokazi @ Nov 3rd 2008 2:04PM]

Err...not MSRP....street price. I don't think there is even a MSRP.

[mohammad7410 @ Nov 3rd 2008 2:28PM]

Price:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Core_i7#Processors

[ZaxCG2 @ Nov 3rd 2008 2:49PM]

I'll be waiting for a year from now when these are affordable thank you. With a new mobo, ram, etc. building something around this CPU would be tough on my wallet. I hate trying to build my first computer because I know if I wait I can either get something way better or way cheaper.

[MojoKid @ Nov 3rd 2008 1:58PM]

HotHardware's full print review is here too: http://hothardware.com/Articles/Intel-Core-i7-Processors-Nehalem-and-X58-Have-Arrived/

[Vexorg @ Nov 3rd 2008 1:58PM]

Of course, this comes just after I finish building a Core 2 Quad system (although I knew they were coming, and the early adopter tax probably would have put a Core i7 system well outside of my price range anyway.)

[Patriks7 @ Nov 3rd 2008 2:02PM]

There is this amazing thing they invented.. it's called "waiting"..

[ijyt @ Nov 3rd 2008 2:07PM]

No such thing as waiting in this hobby. If you keep saying "I'll wait for the next top-range hardware" you'll be waiting forever.

[Skyride @ Nov 3rd 2008 2:15PM]

But patriks, your not considering his circumstances. Buy a new PC when you need one or if something new is a month or so away, wait. You'd still be sitting with a 186 if you just kept waiting for new tech to come out. Its a never ending cycle so buy when you need to.

Example, im gonna be one of the people who give the first gen i7 a miss. The technology is fantastic but the price just isn't justified now. Im planning to take advantage of the price drop on everything 775 when they come out to build a new PC (except the case, HDD's and gfx card(s, plural in my case, not SLI)). I just bought a new PSU (currently in transit) and should be getting a new gfx and 2 shiny new 24" monitors to go with it.

My HDD's are fine (i have 4 of them, not really in need to upgrade).

[xcrunk @ Nov 3rd 2008 2:15PM]

I join you in your pain...

Given that I would have to get a new mobo, CPU and RAM....I'll hang onto my overclocked e8500. This sucker is screaming at 4.1Ghz on air cooling....36C, nice!

[why not the LS2LS7? @ Nov 3rd 2008 2:28PM]

I'd give the first i7 a miss too, but I'm currently running an Athlon A64 x2 4200+, and it just can't keep up with latest games or HD video playback. So it's time to jump in. Not at $1075 a chip though.

[Skyride @ Nov 3rd 2008 2:47PM]

LS2LS7,

Just join me in raking in all the cheap, but still fantastically awesome hardware which will be made "obsolete" by i7 :D

xcrunk,

Get that higher boy! E8400 can push 4.3GHz on air so i reckon you could hit 4.4ish with it (ive built plenty of E8400 rigs but never played about with an E8500).

[Nomi @ Nov 3rd 2008 2:42PM]

So it seems like these things are going to be desktops. Any chance the i7 will see its way into laptops? Isn't the Calpella platform going to come with Nehalem processors? I'm guessing there will be a low powered version of the i7...

[Ian @ Nov 3rd 2008 2:51PM]

ARe these intended as replacements for the existing Quad 6600 etc?
I was thinking of buying a new PC using the 6600 so I am wondering if this will push prices down?

[TostitoBandito @ Nov 3rd 2008 4:04PM]

The 6 series 65nm Core 2 Duos were already effectively replaced by the 45 nm 9 series (eg. Q9450, Q9550, etc...).

[Callum @ Nov 3rd 2008 2:51PM]

How did this all come out so quickly and quietly?

[takeme @ Nov 3rd 2008 3:06PM]

These new cpus are not as good as many thinks and you can also read about that in some of the reviews the problem is the high price for the motherboards and also a little more for the memory makes them alot worse then the core 2 quads money wise.

It depends alot on what you are going to use them for but the lowest priced Core i7 with motherboard and memory will cost about 50% then a Q9550 system, so for many system like gaming you are way better of useing that money another place in your system.

[takeme @ Nov 3rd 2008 3:09PM]

no they are not, they are only going to replace the Q9650 and the QX cpuer.

[inteller @ Nov 3rd 2008 3:39PM]

Come on AMD, bring back the glory days of Pentium whipping Athlons!

[nzo @ Nov 3rd 2008 3:42PM]

What no link to hardocp's excellent coverage?

[amdftw @ Nov 3rd 2008 3:49PM]

"I'd give the first i7 a miss too, but I'm currently running an Athlon A64 x2 4200+, and it just can't keep up with latest games or HD video playback. So it's time to jump in. Not at $1075 a chip though."

WHaaat? HD video playback is all fine with my AMD 64 3500+ ..surely not the CPU that is FAILing you.

[TostitoBandito @ Nov 3rd 2008 4:09PM]

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/Intel-Core-i7-Nehalem,2057.html

The best review is on Tom's. Note that the non-extreme Nehelem CPU's will have a power-cap (eg. 130 watts) to prevent what Intel would consider excessive overclocking. This is understandable from a business point of view considering that it isn't too hard to get a low-mid range quad core now and overclock it so it performs better than the top of the line extreme edition. The performance is definitely there though, with an average 25% gain over a 45nm Core 2 Quad CPU with the same clock speed.

[Vidikron @ Nov 3rd 2008 4:36PM]

A power cap? That's lame. Intel can shove their $1K+ extreme processors up their collective ass. Limiting OCing may not be a smart move for Intel since virtually everyone that OCs the non-extreme processors are doing so because they are unwilling to pay that much for the top end line. The end result will be fewer processors sold.

[bigz0r @ Nov 5th 2008 2:39PM]

They're talking rubbish - Intel senior performance analyst says otherwise. :)

http://www.xtremesystems.org/Forums/showpost.php?p=3404174&postcount=93

[G @ Nov 3rd 2008 6:14PM]

Are these available on newegg or tigerdirect or anyone else online? I don't see them.

[Paul B @ Nov 3rd 2008 6:34PM]

Bit-tech review (seems the best so far): http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2008/11/03/intel-core-i7-920-945-965-review/1

[Shinigami @ Nov 3rd 2008 8:28PM]

Notice how nobody says "gives nothing to gamers" in the name of the article...

[melvz @ Nov 4th 2008 6:55AM]

This is how a K10 should have been built!!! AMD will soon be trappled in the server market!!

[John B @ Nov 4th 2008 3:01PM]

Whatever. The only CPU that people should buy is the one that gives the best price/performance for what they need to do, regardless of what that processor happens to be. The people who don't want to save up and buy processors below their needs to impatient fools, and the people who buy the newest thing "just because" are narcissistic idiots.