A family of high-end, quad-core, 64-bit CPUs from Intel that were introduced in 2008 as the successor to Core 2. Core i7 CPUs use an enhanced Core microarchitecture, code named Nehalem. Initial models include the i7-920 (2.66 GHz), i7-940 (2.93 GHz) and i7-965 Extreme Edition (3.20 GHz). They require a Socket B on the motherboard rather than the various sockets used for Core 2 chips (see LGA 1366).
Enhanced Memory Control and QuickPath
Supporting three channels of DDR3 memory, the Core i7 chip contains its own memory controller that runs with a separate clock in the "uncore" area (a part of the chip that is not executing program instructions).
A major feature of Core i7 is the QuickPath system interconnect, which is a high-speed, packet-oriented, point-to-point pathway between the CPU cores and memory and between the cores and I/O hub. Depending on the multiprocessor capability supported by the chip model, an integrated crossbar router between the cores may be included.
Turbo Boost
Processor cores in i7 chips can be made to run faster if power usage and temperatures are within limits. For example, if one core would benefit by processing faster while the others are idling or running slower, the base frequency of that core can be increased on demand in increments of 133MHz. See Core i5.
A Core i7 Die
Core i7 CPUs pack four cores, a memory controller and the QuickPath Interconnect (QPI at bottom left and right) onto a single chip (die). (Image courtesy of Intel Corporation.)
Enhanced Memory Control and QuickPath
Supporting three channels of DDR3 memory, the Core i7 chip contains its own memory controller that runs with a separate clock in the "uncore" area (a part of the chip that is not executing program instructions).
A major feature of Core i7 is the QuickPath system interconnect, which is a high-speed, packet-oriented, point-to-point pathway between the CPU cores and memory and between the cores and I/O hub. Depending on the multiprocessor capability supported by the chip model, an integrated crossbar router between the cores may be included.
Turbo Boost
Processor cores in i7 chips can be made to run faster if power usage and temperatures are within limits. For example, if one core would benefit by processing faster while the others are idling or running slower, the base frequency of that core can be increased on demand in increments of 133MHz. See Core i5.
A Core i7 Die
Core i7 CPUs pack four cores, a memory controller and the QuickPath Interconnect (QPI at bottom left and right) onto a single chip (die). (Image courtesy of Intel Corporation.)
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
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