Intel Core i7 and X58 Review
We got our hands on an Intel X58 motherboard and a Core i7 Extreme edition (3.2Ghz) processor. It has been a while since I had been even mildly excited about a new processor. Intel’s Conroe (in 2006) was probably the last one that got my attention. However, the Core i7 marks a new step in Intel’s line up for two main reasons: an emphasis on per-core performance and a push for “efficiency” that ultimately leads to performance gains.
The race to higher frequencies (Ghz) has been over since the Pentium 4 days. Frequencies will continue to increase at a slow page, but there’s definitely more “performance per clock” that can be squeezed out. For example, Hyper Threading (HT) returns with Core i7. It’s a technique (first introduced at Intel in 2005) that attempts to utilize all parts of the processor by making each CPU core appear to the operating system (OS) as two physical cores. The Core i7 shows up as an 8-core system to Windows. Hyper Threading can yield large performance gains, espcially in regards to the small cost that it generates in terms of number of transistors and power consumption (5%?).
Back to the Core i7 “per-core” performance: because many applications don’t process data in parallel, they don’t take advantage of multiple cores. They get executed on one core, while the others sit around almost idle. Core i7 is capable of adjusting its power consumption and frequency of a particular core to get a extra performance boost and this is good for virtually every application. When not much is going on, the CPU reduces its frequency to lower consumption and head dissipation.
Here’s our test configuration:
- Intel Core i7 Extreme 965 (“Bloomfield”), 3.2Ghz
- X58 Chipset
- Western Digital Raptor 10k rpm 300GB
- NVIDIA graphics card (no graphics tests involved)
Synthetic benchmarks have leaked a long time ago and they establish that the Nehalem architecture is significantly superior to its predecessors.
But here is some interesting information not always covered by benchmarking sites:
Core i7 is adjusting its clock all the time. Using CPU-Z we can see that the core clock goes from 1.6Ghz (underclock) up to 3.33Ghz (overclock) depending on the workload. In theory, it switches pretty often and by often we mean that in between key strokes, the CPU powers down. It would be interesting to compile an average clock frequency in a typical day of use.
Temperature
We set the CPU cooler so that it stays nearly silent. The fan on the cooler was spinning at 1300rpm, which is relatively low. The idle CPU temperature was about 35c, but during stress tests, it could reach: 68c (core0), 65c (Core1), 64c (Core2) and 61c (Core 3). It’s hot, but not unreasonnable. With a more aggressive cooling, the CPU should be able to reach 4.0Ghz in my opinion (try at your own risk!).
Pricing
- $999 Core i7-965 (3.2Ghz)
- $562 Core i7-940 (2.93Ghz)
- $284 Core i7-920 (2.
66Ghz)
Conclusion
If you are building/buying a new system, it would be foolish not to wait for the Core i7, especially the 920. It will outpace current processors by a good margin, within the same price range (Core 2 Extreme, Core Quad 9400), especially in compute or memory-bandwidth intensive applications (3D rendering, compression…). If you’re seeking for absolute CPU performance, it has always been easy: just get the most expensive one 😉
But if you have a decent processor today, should you upgrade? Not so fast. Take a good look at what you’re doing and try to figure out how much the CPU would actually help. Don’t forget that this new platform requires a new motherboard and new memory (expensive DDR3). You might even have to get a new cooling system and a good power supply with the latest power connectors. If you want to refresh an existing computer, adding up to 3GB of memory (6GB or 8GB if you have a 64-bit OS) and a very fast hard drive will go a long way.
Core i7 is a significant step forward for Intel, one that will put AMD in an even more difficult financial position. I can’t wait to see the laptop version of this architecture.
Links: if you must see pages upon pages of synthetic benchmarks, here are my recommendations:Techspot, HardOCP. Tom’s has an interesing article about the differences between Core i7 and older architectures.
Filed in Computers >Reviews >Top Stories. Read more about Hands-On.
ASUS Sabertooth X58 Motherboard Performance Review
ASUS Sabertooth X58 Motherboard Performance Review
When it comes to Motherboards based on Intel’s X58 chipset your choices are plentiful. Price to performance and features tend to weigh heavily on most consumer’s minds these days, and prices on Intel X58 motherboards range from as little as $164.99 all the way up to $599.99. Today we get to look at the ASUS Sabertooth X58 Heavy Duty Motherboard. Fortunately, the ASUS Sabertooth X58 motherboard falls closer to the budget end of the spectrum and sits at a low price point of $199.
99. While it may seem that this low price point means that quality will be lacking, ASUS has backed the Sabertooth X58 motherboard with an impressive five year warranty, while most of the ASUS motherboards are backed by a three year warranty. The ASUS Sabertooth X58 motherboard hails from the ASUS TUF series of motherboards. TUF is actually an acronym for The Ultimate Force. What does this mean for us? Well, according to ASUS:
“The TUF series delivers a tough image. With the unique design & high quality components (military-standard), TUF series is born for pursuing the preeminent stability, all-round compatibility, and extreme durability.”
The TUF components that make up the ASUS Sabertooth X58 motherboard have been certified by military standards.
Specifically which standards? I am currently awaiting a response from ASUS on that. If it’s on the web it must be true, right? Does it really matter, though? Like I stated above the ASUS Sabertooth X58 motherboard is backed by a five year warranty which is above and beyond the warranty on most ASUS motherboards.
This means they have enough confidence in this particular product to extend the typical warranty 66%. Makes one wonder, where is that confidence from ASUS in other ASUS motherboards? Well, that’s a whole different can of worms, isn’t it?
*Edit*
Well it seems that I stuck my foot in my mouth once again. In my rush to play with the ASUS Sabertooth X58 it seems that I had set the Certificate of Reliability off to the side. The Certificate of reliability includes all of the standards that the components of the ASUS Sabertooth X58 meets.
ASUS Sabertooth X58 Military Standard
- Capacitors
- Thermal Shock Test (MIL-STD-202G Test Method 107G)
- Moisture Resistance Test (MIL-STD-202G Test Method 106G)
- Salt Spray Test (MIL-STD-883G method 1009.8)
- Solderability Test (MIL-STD-202G 208H Test Method)
- Solder Bath Test (MIL-STD-202G-210F Test Method)
- Vibration Test (MIL-STD-202G Method 201A)
- Mechanical Shock Test (MIL-STD-202G Method 213B Condition D)
- Chokes
- Vibration Test (MIL-STD-810F Method 514)
- Temperature Cycling Test (MIL-STD-810F Method 501/502)
- Mosfets
- Thermal Shock Test (MIL-STD-883G 1011.
9) - Vibration Test (MIL-STD-883 Method 2007.2 Condition A
- Mechanical Shock Test (MIL-STD-883G2002.4)
- Thermal Shock Test (MIL-STD-883G 1011.
The TUF Capacitors are industry top grade Japanese capacitors which have been approved by ISO and IEC/IECQand certified by an independent laboratory to meet these stringent military standards. It is certainly worth noting that these TUF Capacitors are 2.5 times more durable than ordinary Japan branded conductive polymer aluminum Solid Caps. If we were to compare the durability of the TUF capacitors to even the top graded polymer tantalum capacitor (known as Hi-C Caps) we would find that the TUF capacitors are 1.67 times more durable!
The ASUS TUF Chokes are made from a compound of various metals instead of the standard iron. This enables the support of 40 Amps of which is 25% more current than the traditional chokes. Due to the fact that the TUF Chokes are packaged in a single piece, this will eliminate vibration and noise, as well as increasing durability under extreme conditions!
ASUS Sabertooth X58 Features and Specifications
| CPU |
|
| Chipset | Intel X58 /ICh20R |
| Memory |
|
| Expansion Slots |
|
| Multi-GPU Support |
|
| Storage |
|
| LAN | Realtek 8110SC Gigabit LAN controller featuring AI NET2 |
| Audio |
|
| USB | NEC USB 3. 0 controller
Intel ICh20R Southbridge
|
| ASUS Unique Features |
|
| Special Features |
|
| Form Factor |
|
24 GB, DDR3 1866/1800/1600/1333/1066 Non-ECC,Un-buffered Memory
0 supportNow that we have taken a look at the specifications for the ASUS Sabertooth X58 motherboard, let’s take a look at the retail packaging and bundle that accompanies the Sabertooth X58.
Questions or comments?
View this thread in our forums!
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