Review : Intel Core i7 Processor Extreme Edition
Product information
- 3.20 GHz core speed
- 8 processing threads with Intel® HT technology
- 8 MB of Intel® Smart Cache
- 3 Channels of DDR3 1066 MHz memory
The good: Fastest high-end desktop CPU; supporting motherboard supports both graphics card vendors’ multicard technologies.
The bad: Requires an expensive new motherboard; chipset needs three memory sticks for maximum efficiency.
The bottom line: Thanks to an expensive new motherboard requirement, Intel’s new Core i7 desktop processors will remain enthusiast and professional-level parts until more affordable complementary hardware comes out later next year. Speed never comes cheap, however, and if you’re willing to spend for it now, you’ll find yourself in possession of the fastest CPU on the market.
The Core i7 965 Extreme Edition runs at 3.20GHz and features a QPI (QuickPath Interface) throughput of 6.4GT/s, which is the key difference here. The mainstream versions of the processor include the Core i7 920 and 940, clocked at 2.66GHz and 2.93GHz, respectively. These more affordable processors feature a QPI throughput of just 4.8GT/s, so it will be interesting to discover what kind of impact this has on performance.
