Intel Core i7 920 Processor BX80601920 – 2.66GHz, LGA 1366, 4.8GT/s QPI, 8MB L3 Cache, Quad-Core, HyperThreading, Bloomfield, Retail
- Price: $289.99
- List Price: $321.99
- Manufacturer: Intel
- Item Model: BX80601920
- Weight: 2.5 pounds
- Box Size: 25 x 8.3 x 7.8 inches
- Warranty: 36 months parts; 36 months labor
- Categories: Computer Components
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Intel Core i7 920 Processor BX80601920
You have to see the most significant architectural change in the x86 personal computer processor architecture in 13 years, the Intel Core i7. Intel’s engineers have completely reinvented their CPU design, removing the antiquated Front Side Bus and replacing it with the new Intel QuickPath Interconnect, delivering up to 6.4 GT/s. Also new to the Core i7 line is the integrated memory controller, supporting Triple Channel DDR3 Memory allowing for more maximum memory capacity and performance, up to 24GB on some boards, and faster access times. Located directly on the CPU semiconductor die is 256KB per core of L2 cache and 8MB L3 cache shared across all four cores means the CPU can do more without having to access the main memory, further increasing performance.
The Intel Core i7 processor is the latest in cutting edge processor technology for the desktop PC. Based on the new Intel Nehalem microarchitecture, the Intel Core i7 processor delivers four complete execution cores within a single processor along with the rebirth of Intel HyperThreading Technology, delivering unprecedented performance and responsiveness in multi-threaded and multi-tasking business and home use environments and the ability to simultaneously process up to 8 separate threads.
The unprecedented performance of the Intel Core i7 processor is made possible by each of the four complete execution cores delivering the full power of Intel Nehalem microarchitecture. More instructions can be carried out per clock cycle, shorter and wider pipelines execute commands more quickly, and improved bus lanes move data throughout the system faster. This quad-core, eight-thread processor represents Intel’s continued leadership and drive of multi-core processing and more parallel computing.
Doing More with Intel Quad-Core
The Intel Core i7 processor is at the center of today’s most interactive and content rich software experiences. The evolving set of threaded multi-media applications, including digital content creation, will shine as users are able to complete tasks faster. Game play can achieve even greater visualization and realism as tasks such as artificial intelligence (AI), physics, and rendering can be distributed across each of the four complete execution cores and run in parallel.
Tags: Intel Core i7 920, LGA 1366
This thing is a monster if you know how to unleash it. Spend $45 on a third party cooler and push this thing to amazing levels of performance. I am not a gamer, I am using the 920 in a workstation environment with frequent heavy load. With a Xigmatek Dark Knight and a decent case I was able to EASILY overclock this to 4GHz (the most I was willing to go). With hyper threading, it can handle numerous simultaneous graphic programs, including parallel use of Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, Bridge, iTunes, and Firefox. It never skips a beat.
I should warn you, if you are planning on using the 920 at it’s full potential, these things run hotter than most past Intel chips. At 4Ghz, 70+ Celsius is normal at full burn (on third party air). Realistically, real world use will rarely be pushing 100% for long periods of time, and enabling Speed Stepping can help keep temperatures lower at idle. Also, don’t gimp your system with crappy RAM. You’ll need something that is stable at 1600 MHz without requiring ridiculous amounts of vDIMM. Do your homework and know what will run with what. It will save you a lot of headaches.
All in all this is a great chip that will last me quite a long time.
I got my second Core i7 920 here on Amazon in early November, and received the D0 stepping. You can tell by looking for a sSpec number of SLBEJ on the box. (SLBCH was the C0 stepping.) You don’t need to unseal the Intel box to know what you’re getting, so you could just return it if you didn’t get the D0. Not that that’s likely anymore. I initially wasn’t impressed by the D0, using the same overclock settings I’d zeroed in on for the C0. If anything, it seemed to run even hotter. Then I learned the secret. You can turn the core voltage WAY down, which is the key to heat. I was at 1.30 volts to run the C0 stable at 3.7ghz (air cooled with Coolermaster V10). I’ve been able to turn it down to just a hair over 1.20 volts with the D0. With the bclk at 194, multiplier at 21, I’m now running over 4.0 ghz. That’s running Prime95 all night on all eight threads, with max core temps at 73 C or below. To summarize, the big improvement with the D0 stepping is being able to run with much lower voltages, which in turn allows higher overclocks with safe temps.