Family "Extreme Edition"
Before Gulftown was launched, there are various speculations about the official name of this processor. One is a series of Core i9. In the end, just before its release, Intel announced a name for this processor is the Core i7 980X. From its name, is positioned above Gulftown Core i7 975 and this means a family member Gulftown Intel Extreme Edition series. Series Extreme Edition is the highest caste in the ranks of Intel's desktop processors. One of the advantages is the Extreme Edition series processor multiplier that are unlocked. However, since it is the highest caste, the Extreme Edition series processor has a relatively high selling price is around U.S. $ 999. Core i7 965, Core i7 975 and Core i7 980X is priced at such sale.
If at first glance, the Core i7 980X have almost similar specifications that Core i7 975. The most striking difference was only found in the number of cores, the L3 Chace, the fabrication process, transistor count, and AES-NI instruction set. AES-NI latest instruction is useful in speeding up the process of encrypting a file. These instructions are never used in the processor Clarkdale.
With the number of cores and the number of transistors increases, it did not make the TDP processors increases. The engineers managed to maintain a TDP of Intel Core i7 980X on the value of 130 Watt. This is worth a TDP TDP Core i7 975 which has a number of cores and fewer number of transistors. 32 nm fabrication process seems to have contributed greatly to this. Even die Gulftown processor has a size smaller than Bloomfield.
Similarities specification Core i7 975 and Core i7 980X motherboard used to make are no different. Core i7 980X is compatible with motherboards with Intel's X58 and ICH10R chipsets. All you need do is update the motherboard BIOS to a newer version. This means you already have the motherboard does not need to buy a new motherboard.
Overclocking
As discussed previously, the Core i7 980X which is the family series "Extreme Edition" processors have a multiplier that are unlocked. Multiplier unlocked processor is providing the ease of raising and lowering the clock speed of the processor.
At this time overclocking session, we have three kinds of overclocking conditions. The first condition we simply raise the clock and memory voltage to see how the performance of these processors if only memory are tampered with. The next condition we raise the clock speed of the processor and memory clock speed, but without changing the processor voltage settings (memory voltage is increased so that more memory remains stable). While the last condition, we raise the clock speed of up to a ceiling where the heatsink used is still able to tame the heat of the processor. Rely solely on the processor heatsink cooler with 12 cm fan that spins at 1500rpm range. The test results are overclocking you can see on the next page.
Sysmark 2007
Sysmark 2007 is a benchmark program that measures the performance of the computer in running everyday applications. Some of the applications contained in this program include Photoshop, 3DS Max, Office Word, Office Excel, and others.
Of the four test scenarios Sysmark 2007, only the scenario "VideoCreation" looks pretty big difference in scores between the Core i7 and Core i7 975 980X. While the three other scenarios score difference is small. Even in the scenario "Productivity" difference score very thin. Looks like scenario "VideoCreation" is a scenario that is more capable of utilizing multi-core processor performance compared to other scenarios. With the difference score of each scenario that is not too far away, the final score "Preview Rating" also does not show too much difference.
3DMark Vantage
Synthesis benchmark program for this graphics card, providing AI and physics tests that can burden the processor, especially multi-core processors. The results of testing the AI and physics can be seen the results on the acquisition of "CPU Score". Core i7 980X to capitalize 12 thread, was able to leave a lot of performance Core i7 975. Meanwhile, to overclock the processor, "CPU Score" can rise even higher to above 40 000 points.
MediaShow Espresso
Among the many types of applications, video transcoding application is an application that is optimized for multi-core processors. Espresso MediaShow application, it seems like the multi-core processors. Core i7 980X looks menungguli Core i7 975 at the second testing. Even the time required can be further shortened to overclock this six-core processors.
Multitasking
In the multitasking test will be seen how the performance of the processor while handling two applications run together. Tests conducted by executing gaming applications simultaneously Resident Evil 5 (1920 × 1080; High; DX9; No-AA) in benchmark mode and video transcoding applications EncodeHD. EncodeHD program will do the transcoding to the format of the Playstation 3 (PS3).
Gaming Performance
For this scenario to be measured how the performance of a game during the video transcoding process running in "background". Than if the only games that run, run the game along with the application EncodeHD able to degrade the performance of the game itself. However, the decline in performance on the Core i7 980X is not as far as performance degradation that occurs in Core i7 975. Fewer number of threads on a Core i7 975 seems to be the cause.
Transcoding Performance
If the above scenario measures the performance of the game, in this scenario EncodeHD measured performance of the application itself. Apparently the same thing also happened in this scenario. Performance at the Core i7 975 to transcode the video, down far enough compared to the Core i7 980X. Again, the Core i7 980X demonstrated its superiority in the number of threads.
Number of cores and the number of transistors gives more the assumption that the processor power consumption is higher. However, it turns out it did not happen. In full-load conditions, the power consumption of the Core i7 980X more efficient than the Core i7 975 which has a number of cores and fewer transistors. In idle condition, it does look the Core i7 980X consume higher power. However, the difference is only 3 watts, only a thin different than the Core i7 975.
Conclusion
Early months of the year 2010, is one of the busiest time terseru well for the development of computer hardware and also the hardware reviewer. A variety of computer hardware both new generation and new variants are present to fill the days and months month early. It seems, following months will be more interesting because there is still a new generation of hardware to be released.
Among the various emerging hardware, Intel 980X Core i7 codename "Gulftown" is one of them. The presence of "Gulftown" as well as making history as the first hexacore processors are present for the segment of desktop computers.
Indeed, Intel's Core i7 980X does not offer a new architecture in it. The architecture used is not much different than previous Intel processors codenamed "Bloomfield". However, these processors offer higher performance even better overclocking capability than the series "Bloomfield". Additionally, the Intel Core i7 980X which has a higher performance has a selling price of about U.S. $ 999. Yamg price equal to the processor "Bloomfield" before Intel Core i7 Intel Core i7 975 or 965.
Speaking of prices, the Intel Core i7 980X fix prices in the price range of U.S. $ 999. Some overseas online computer store put up the price of U.S. $ 999-1100 for this processor. While in Indonesia, we found a store will put the price between U.S. $ 1100-1200. Not unexpectedly offered a more affordable price than previously forecast prices to expect prices to reach U.S. Core i7 980X 1500. Meanwhile for the Core i7 975, we still find shops that sell them in the price range of U.S. $ 1000-1100.
With these prices, if the processor is worth buying? If you are looking for a today's fastest desktop processor or you need a processor to run the application you are thirsty thread processor, the processor includes hexacore worth to buy. Indeed, the Core i7 975 has a price more affordable, but the price difference is not too far only about U.S. $ 100. By adding a little of the price of the Core i7 975, you will get an additional processor with an extra two cores (or four threads) which means a faster processor performance, technology and latest features, and better overclocking capabilities (4.6 GHz with a "water-cooling") .
If there is no obstacle, no longer AMD will also follow the steps Intel is removing them hexacore processor codenamed "Thuban". Hexacore processors from AMD are expected fastest series will have a price range of U.S. $ 300. Indeed, if this processor will be launched hexacore processor with the most affordable prices today. But what about performance? From some pre-test eliminary circulating on the internet, this processor is still not able to pursue hexacore processor performance from Intel. If you are looking for a processor with a performance comparison and the price is comparable, the processor "Thuban" of AMD PROCESSORS can be selected. However, if you are looking for the fastest processors at this time to build a desktop computer the fastest, the choice would fall to the Intel Core i7 980X.
{ 0 comments... Views All / Send Comment! }
Post a Comment