Intel Skylake / Kaby Lake

[shady28]

I'd be happy if reviewers did that.

A little hard to believe that 95% of "K" cpu users are running at stock CPU and ram speeds, though.

Not really. The vast majority of systems are major OEM machines (Dell, HP, Lenovo, HP), followed by medium sized shops like CyberPowerPC. And they all offer systems with K chips.

In that price range / specs people are buying the fastest desktop PC they can for whatever reason. So to those buyers, an i7-4790 non-K like in my sig is simply a slower 4790K (3.6 Ghz vs 4.0Ghz). They aren't really thinking about overclocking, they just want a box that is fast and has a warranty.

This doesn't mean that they're neophytes. I've built a ton of PCs, my first one being a 286-16Mhz, and my first PC was in the late 80s (a Corona luggable 8088 with dual floppies). You can't build a PC cheaper than you can buy one now, and saving a day of assembling parts and any warranty hassles from self-built PCs / multiple discrete parts and vendors pays for itself in terms of time.

So my guess is that the 95% number for K chips that don't get OC'd is about right, or if anything maybe too low of a percentage. Probably more like 98 or 99%.

 

[dooon]

Core i7-6700K (HD530) DDR4-3200 / DDR4-2133 / DDR3-1600
Core i7-4790K (HD4600) DDR3-1600

http://diy.pconline.com.cn/678/6785196_all.html

 

[LTC8K6]

I don't know, I looked around at prebuilt gaming desktop systems with a 4790K and many use faster ram than 1600, with 2133 being pretty common.

I couldn't find a Dell with a "K" processor. Alienware perhaps?

Cyberpower seems to rarely use the slower ram on the gaming systems at their site.

 

[LTC8K6]

Core i7-6700K (HD530) DDR4-3200 / DDR4-2133 / DDR3-1600
Core i7-4790K (HD4600) DDR3-1600

http://diy.pconline.com.cn/678/6785196_all.html

Well, I doubt anyone would have argued about the idea that faster ram benefits an igp.

But it was good to see HD530 get up near that AMD number.

It bodes well for GT4e, which should clean HD530's clock.

 

[Sweepr]

Interesting analysis.

One chipset for all?
A typical Intel desktop processor requires a second, external chip known as a "platform controller hub." With how Intel does things today, the "mainstream" desktop platforms have their own platform controller hubs (these are generally also used for Intel's high-performance laptop platforms), while the "high-end desktop" chips have a separate chip, which are essentially the same ones used with Intel's high-end Xeon processors.

However, it seems that this might be set to change.

Note that the successor to the one-socket Grantley platform is a platform known as Basin Falls. Note that the platform is expected to use the "Kaby Lake" platform controller hub rather than use the Lewisberg platform controller hub that the two-socket-and-above Purley server platform is expected to use.

Kaby Lake, as Intel officially announced on its most recent earnings call, is a third-generation 14-nanometer family of "mainstream" processors coming to PCs. The fact that the one-socket version of the Skylake-based Xeon processors (and, by extension, the Skylake-based high-end desktop processors) will use the same platform controller hub as the "mainstream" Kaby Lake processors is particularly interesting.

Is Intel laying the foundation for an enthusiast transition to high-end desktop platforms?
By making the high-end desktop platform use the same platform controller hub as the mainstream platforms, I suspect that Intel is planning to try to transition PC enthusiasts almost completely away from the mainstream platforms and toward the high-end desktop platforms.

https://trove.com/a/Intel-Corps-Sky...Line-for-Unlocked-Mainstream-Processors.ksxUO

Core i7 5820K's lower price relative to SB-E/IB-E hexa-cores is already an indication of this. Perhaps Intel will keep pushing the limits of 4C/8T mainstream chips (Kabylake, Cannonlake, etc.) with >4GHz clocks and IPC bumps but they might also bring Skylake-E closer to mainstream. It's also their chance to one up AMD in case Summit Ridge is more than smoke and mirrors.

Core i7-6700K (HD530) DDR4-3200 / DDR4-2133 / DDR3-1600
Core i7-4790K (HD4600) DDR3-1600

http://diy.pconline.com.cn/678/6785196_all.html

Don't understand the language but this looks like dGPU gaming, 2 out of 4 games tested are showing impressive scaling with faster DDR4 RAM:

http://img0.pconline.com.cn/pconline/1508/05/6785196_Fry4.jpg
17.2% gain from DDR3-1600 to DDR4-3200

http://img0.pconline.com.cn/pconline/1508/05/6785196_car.jpg
17.2% gain from DDR3-1600 to DDR4-3200

Metro 2033 a bit less (7.7% gain) and the other game not so much (GPU bound?).

 

[Deders]

Core i7-6700K (HD530) DDR4-3200 / DDR4-2133 / DDR3-1600
Core i7-4790K (HD4600) DDR3-1600

http://diy.pconline.com.cn/678/6785196_all.html

It should probably be pointed out that these are actually cloudgate results otherwise people may think integrated graphics can compete with an overclocked 780

 

[therealnickdanger]

On the one hand, we know that AMD APUs are very affected by RAM speeds, and historically, Intel not as much. If IGP is the primary recipient of this performance advantage, then it seems that the perf/$ of DDR4 is easily overcome by the perf/$ of dGPUs. For mobile, higher performance RAM isn't really worth it due to the added power consumption, so I just have to wonder if it really matters at all. Who will benefit other than extreme overclockers doing CPU-centric benchmarks? I'd like to know the truth about Skylake IPC, but beyond that... :/

 

[JoeRambo]

I am looking forward for Skylake gt4e variant with EDRAM. Seems like chip has plenty of cache hierarchy bandwidth ( built-in for AVX512 that is disabled in desktop?) and can actually make use of it. Chip with EDRAM could enable me to buy DDR3 board and use same 1866 DDR3 without loosing perf.

 

[richierich1212]

So now the same argument against AMD previously (must buy high speed DDR3 to take advantage of APU) is now being used for Skylake. Oh the irony.

 

[LTC8K6]

So now the same argument against AMD previously (must buy high speed DDR3 to take advantage of APU) is now being used for Skylake. Oh the irony.

Makes sense since AMD occupies the budget and "bang for buck" area. Having to buy more expensive ram is a mark against a budget APU.

Of course, developments may render the whole argument moot.

 

[SammichPG]

Any info on bclk overclocking? Is it unlocked like in the previous platforms or it's again a game for cool Kids?

 

[Tovarisc]

It will be such shame if OC requires delidding and replacing TIM, something I'm not confident in doing. Will be interesting to see what kind temps I get with Kelvin S24 as cooler, without and with OC applied to 6600K.

 

[therealnickdanger]

It will be such shame if OC requires delidding and replacing TIM, something I'm not confident in doing. Will be interesting to see what kind temps I get with Kelvin S24 as cooler, without and with OC applied to 6600K.

Seems like Intel needs to offer up an extreme lineup, like a 6800X SKU that is already best-o-the-bin and delidded. They have already taken away the HSF, why not take it one more step? Then we wouldn't have to take the risks of damaging the CPU and Intel could charge another $100 or something and still offer a warranty. I think a lot of people would jump on that.

 

[therealnickdanger]

Any info on bclk overclocking? Is it unlocked like in the previous platforms or it's again a game for cool Kids?

From AT review:

"What Skylake does is separate the clock domains altogether, so we get a full range of BCLK adjustments for the processor from 100 MHz to 200-300 MHz in 1 MHz increments. Some motherboard manufacturers have extra components on board to either boost that range to 650 MHz+, or add a finer BCLK adjustment system to allow for 0.0625 MHz steps instead."

 

[ShintaiDK]

http://techreport.com/news/28787/intel-says-skylake-broadwell-chips-may-be-easier-to-buy-soon

Selling global...cept Americas. Strong demand for Broadwell-C as well globally.

 

[cmdrdredd]

I don't really know to be honest. But the chip seems to work better with faster RAM. I was just wondering if it's worth upgrading soon, or waiting 3 or 4 months for faster/cheaper RAM? I'm coming from an i5 2500k at 4.3ghz.

On a side note does anyone know if the NH-U14S Noctua CPU cooler will fit on the z170 board?

Yes that cooler works.

 

[TheProgrammer]

http://techreport.com/news/28787/intel-says-skylake-broadwell-chips-may-be-easier-to-buy-soon

Selling global...cept Americas. Strong demand for Broadwell-C as well globally.

I've been waiting for Crystalwell to reach the desktop for a long time, so I can ditch both Nvidia and AMD. 5775C is pretty much my dream chip, will power all the games I play just fine while removing yet more 3rd party nonsense from my system.

Only thing making me pause is the Skylake 6775C. A i7-6700K with GT4e would be ideal. Don't really want another dGPU ever again unless it's for VR.

 

[cbn]

I really liked this news on E3 Xeon (Skylake) coming to notebooks:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/9507/intel-quietly-launches-mobile-xeons-skylake-e3-1500m-v5

But even more interesting is that these Skylake Mobile E3 Xeon will be bundled with Thunderbolt 3.

https://thunderbolttechnology.net/sites/default/files/Thunderbolt_3_Overview_Brief_FINAL.pdf

(PCIE 3.0 X 4 with power, usb 3.1 and display port, I am now very excited for external GPUs as well as other devices)

 

[Sweepr]

Core i7 6700K in stock @ Canada (Soho Diffusion). Costs the equivalent of $360 USD.

Tech Report's David Kanter podcast about Skylake and Broadwell-K here.

In this episode of the podcast, special guest David Kanter returns to dive deep into Intel's new Skylake CPUs with Scott. We discuss the results of our review, compare the performance of the Broadwell Core i7-5775C versus the Skylake Core i7-6700K, and answer a bundle of reader questions about the new chips.

 

[SAAA]

I've been waiting for Crystalwell to reach the desktop for a long time, so I can ditch both Nvidia and AMD. 5775C is pretty much my dream chip, will power all the games I play just fine while removing yet more 3rd party nonsense from my system.

Only thing making me pause is the Skylake 6775C. A i7-6700K with GT4e would be ideal. Don't really want another dGPU ever again unless it's for VR.

If you are really that much interested in integrated graphics I suggest to wait for Skylake GT4. Just take a look at current GT2 results, where gen.9 is sometimes 30% faster than Haswell, then multiply that by 3X (72 vs 24 units, +eDRAM too): that could easily be 50% to 100% faster than top Broadwells.

If these CPUs are released as overclokable parts too then they might be a better choice than a 6700K now thanks to the eDRAM...

 

[cytg111]

Nah, he's gonna need dgpu's for that VR xp anyway. I wouldnt fret over igp's if I were you .. VR is coming

 

[MrTeal]

Core i7 6700K in stock @ Canada (Soho Diffusion). Costs the equivalent of $360 USD.

Tech Report's David Kanter podcast about Skylake and Broadwell-K here.

Unless you're using it as a price match, good luck with that.

http://www.resellerratings.com/store/Soho_Diffusion

 

[Sweepr]

The first Skylake laptops are Lenovo's Thinkpad P50 and P70 graphics workstations (Xeon E3-1500M v5)

Your chance to get a laptop with Intel’s newest Skylake CPU is almost here. On Monday at the Siggraph show in Los Angeles, Calif., Lenovo announced two new mobile workstations stocked with the 6th-gen mobile chip and a dream checklist of advanced features.

How next-gen? Think up to 64GB of DDR4 RAM, true PCIe SSD performance, Thunderbolt 3 and true USB 3.1 too. There’s even a new Nvidia GPU.

Of course, the new ThinkPad P50 and ThinkPad P70 both pack Intel’s Xeon E3-1500M v5 CPUs, based on the Skylake microarchitecture. We reviewed the desktop Skylake chips last week, or if you’re into the brevity thing, you can just read this short FAQ. For mobile users, beyond saying unlocked, overclockable versions would be available, Intel has been mum.

Lenovo’s 17-inch P70 is the latest in a line of big old ThinkPads aimed at workstation users. The first was the giant ThinkPad W700, as well as the over-the-top ThinkPad W700ds with two monitors. Yes, a laptop with two monitors.

The 7.6-pound P70 doesn’t get that crazy, but its specs will make its predecessors green with envy. Besides the quad-core Skylake Xeon, the P70 and P50 feature a new Nvidia Quadro GPU too.

...Of the two, the giant 17-inch P70 stuffs in the most hardware. Besides the Skylake Xeon and Quadro chip, Lenovo also used Intel’s new Alpine Ridge controller. Alpine Ridge supports the fastest Thunderbolt 3 spec as well as full-speed USB 3.1 across its USB-C ports. By full speed, I mean up to 10Gbps transfer speeds using USB 3.1. The first laptop with USB-C, Apple’s 12-inch MacBook, is a bit of a sleight of hand. It has USB-C, but its ports run standard USB 3.0 speeds. Google’s updated Pixel Chromebook also is limited to USB 3.0 speeds on its USB-C ports. Running Thunderbolt 3 mode, Lenovo’s ports should crank it all way up to 40Gbps speeds.

Lenovo says the big P70 will also support up to four storage devices and up to 1TB of SSD storage. That means one M.2 slot and two SATA trays, along with the option to remove the optical drive and install a drive caddy for a fourth drive. Even better, the storage options now support booting to PCIe-based M.2 devices, which offers a huge improvement in performance. In fact, Lenovo claims up to five times the performance of an M.2 SATA or standard SATA-based device.

...Amazingly, Lenovo has shoehorned most of the same features into the P50, including the Thunderbolt 3, shared cooling, color calibrator, 64GB of ECC DDR4/2133, and up to three storage devices. It’s basically a tinier version of the P70. You just have to give up one of those Thunderbolt 3 ports.

www.pcworld.com/article/2960799/lap...ers?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

 

[myocardia]

Unless you're using it as a price match, good luck with that.

http://www.resellerratings.com/store/Soho_Diffusion

Ouch! I wouldn't order from that company, using your credit card.

 

[DrMrLordX]

It does look a bit risky, but I believe I could learn to do it. I've watched a few videos on it, but would be nice to hear from someone with experience.

I have experience with delidding an AMD CPU. The AMD IHS is a little different - it doesn't have the two-level terrace look to it. It's just a flat slug of copper glued to the IHS. Also, with AMD CPUs, you have to worry about bending pins. On Intel CPUs, all you have to worry about are the contact pads. For that reason, it is often considered to be "safer" to secure Intel CPUs in a table vise and then bash on the IHS until it falls away from the CPU. I would hesitate to do that with an AMD CPU (easy way to bend the pins).

If you use a razor, there's the risk of scoring the PCB or damaging other bits underneath the IHS (of course, that risk also exists when delidding an AMD CPU). It's important to get a good die screenshot of the CPU if possible before trying to do it with a razor, so you can get an idea of how far into the epoxy seal you can cut before damaging anything important.

So now the same argument against AMD previously (must buy high speed DDR3 to take advantage of APU) is now being used for Skylake. Oh the irony.

Budget CPUs can't have nice things. Didn't you get the memo?