Intel's 6-core EE i7-980X out and reviewed

[Anubis]

Bullsh*t

its not really the stock coolers on the C2 Quads and Duals were pieces of shit

 

[jvroig]

probably because the stock cooler isn't even adequate to run these CPUs @ 100% load in the first place

Also wasn't aware of this. Really? Anybody else stuck with the stock Intel coolers for Core i7 975 and below can confirm this?

 

[AdamK47]

When will be see 32nm quads?

 

[Insomniator]

Also wasn't aware of this. Really? Anybody else stuck with the stock Intel coolers for Core i7 975 and below can confirm this?

I don't have either, but I can tell you he pulled that out of his ass. Just look at Anand's 975 review.

 

[jvroig]

Are these i7 980Xs, that the reviewers have, engineering samples? I am surprised that a higher OC could not be attained ... I have seen elsewhere that an OC of 4.05 GHz was squeezed out.

Anand was embarassed with their weak OC, and made a better one in a new article.

When will be see 32nm quads?

I have to go back to confirm this, but last I remember, that would be around 2011 still.
EDIT: From page 1 of the 980X review, Anand says this: "Currently Intel doesn't have any plans to introduce 4-core versions of Gulftown on the desktop, although we will see some 32nm quad-core Xeons later this year." So I guess no luck if you wanted desktop variants, but if you are actually looking for Xeons, then you'll have one this year.

I don't have either, but I can tell you he pulled that out of his ass. Just look at Anand's 975 review.

Thanks, Insomniator, I guess I should take a look at that review.
EDIT 2: Checked out the 975 review. Under the section "Overclocking", Anand states: "Boosting core voltage by 16% I was able to hit 4.13GHz with the retail air cooler, but I could not get the system fully stable at any higher frequencies:" I guess the stock cooler isn't so bad when it can cope with a voltage increase and 800MHZoverclock on the top i7 quad-core chip.

 

[aigomorla]

if ur buying a 1000 dollar processor, it absolutely makes no sense in using the stock retail cooler.

Im sorry... your trying to save money in the wrong area.

 

[jvroig]

if ur buying a 1000 dollar processor, it absolutely makes no sense in using the stock retail cooler.

I'm sure very few people actually do that, but there are still people with more money than technical knowledge (Richie Rich, if you will) who will buy one and who wouldn't even realize there is such a thing as a cooler.

Anyway, I don't think anyone here actually advocated using the stock cooler.

For me, I was merely wondering why the seemingly huge improvement in stock coolers courtesy of the 980X, when it is still the same TDP and uses slightly less power under load than the 975.

 

[Ben90]

Also wasn't aware of this. Really? Anybody else stuck with the stock Intel coolers for Core i7 975 and below can confirm this?

My 920 is being cooled under the stock cooler and it only starts having problems around 4ghz with HT on. 4.2Ghz/HT off is warm, but not a big deal unless the only thing your going to be doing is running Linpack 24/7.

These processors are rated to run at 100C for three years strait. People freak out about the temps too much, when in reality voltage is a much much much larger problem. Once I get a new system (in a couple of years) I'll pull the cooler off my 920 and see how long it runs for so people can stop making false accusations that the Intel cooler is inadequate because temps go up to 80*C in IBT.

 

[Rubycon]

Those are going to cost $1300 on March 16th.
Microcenter has the 975 for $799 now!

 

[DrMrLordX]

When will be see 32nm quads?

Should be March 16th . . .

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_future_Intel_microprocessors#.22Gulftown.22_.2832_nm.29_3

That is, if you don't mind buying an LGA1366 Xeon.

 

[jvroig]

Summary of stock i7 975 vs 980X, courtesy of AT Bench: 975 vs 980X

Out of 43 benchmarks there, the 980X only loses 4 times (SysMark E-Learning, Fallout 3, Far Cry 2, and Batman: Arkham Asylum), and all these losses are extremely small percentage, ranging from half a percent (Batman AA) up to around 4% (Fallout 3).

 

[Ben90]

Summary of stock i7 975 vs 980X, courtesy of AT Bench: 975 vs 980X

Out of 43 benchmarks there, the 980X only loses 4 times (SysMark E-Learning, Fallout 3, Far Cry 2, and Batman: Arkham Asylum), and all these losses are extremely small percentage, ranging from half a percent (Batman AA) up to around 4% (Fallout 3).

Using my counting skills learned in college.

Out of 43 benchmarks there, the 980x only loses 6 times:
Dawn of War II
Batman: Arkham Asylum
7-Zip Real World Compression
Far Cry 2 Action Scene
Fallout 3
SYSmark 2007 - E-Learning

 

[jvroig]

7-Zip Real World Compression
Dawn of War II

You are right, the changing "lower is better" and "higher is better" graphs must have thrown me off; I stand corrected, it is indeed 6 instead of 4. The 7-Zip Real World Compression is the most notable, at a 9% disadvantage for the 980X.

 

[IntelUser2000]

On a side note, the increased cache latency suggests that the clock speed potential will be somewhat bound by architecture limits. Westmere reminds me of mini-Presler, the extra cores are nice, but it looks like they took all the engineers off this project onto the next one.

 

[jvroig]

On a side note, the increased cache latency suggests that the clock speed potential will be somewhat bound by architecture limits. Westmere reminds me of mini-Presler, the extra cores are nice, but it looks like they took all the engineers off this project onto the next one.

That would make sense. They seemed to have milked the Core ix series for what it is worth already (what has it been... 2 years already?) and the series is still solid, thanks to no threat from AMD.

If their next series is to Core i7 what Core i7 was to Core2Quad... then hats off to their engineers.

With AMD taking their sweet time with Bulldozer, I hope it at least becomes a good fight between Bulldozer and whatever Intel has by then, not fighting a generation lower as what is the case with Phenom II.

 

[Rubycon]

LOL the Core name is just a baby compared to the Pentium name. That should've been retired YEARS ago!

I miss the numbers - i.e. 8080/8088/286/386/486 etc.

 

[solofly]

Summary of stock i7 975 vs 980X, courtesy of AT Bench: 975 vs 980X

Out of 43 benchmarks there, the 980X only loses 4 times (SysMark E-Learning, Fallout 3, Far Cry 2, and Batman: Arkham Asylum), and all these losses are extremely small percentage, ranging from half a percent (Batman AA) up to around 4% (Fallout 3).

I don't think there would be a point of releasing a slower chip but the question is can your brain (not benchmarks) tell the difference between those two chips and I'll bet you 99% of the time it can't...

 

[aigomorla]

I don't think there would be a point of releasing a slower chip but the question is can your brain (not benchmarks) tell the difference between those two chips and I'll bet you 99% of the time it can't...

Why not ask someone who has both at 4.4ghz?

To be honest, you wont see much visually.
The extra cores goes unused most of the time unless im benching.

Not even some of the more recient multi threaded games will use all 6 cores. :\

As you go higher then 4, the Vtt component plays more into overclocking.

But when you do throw things that are multi threaded, they tear up whatever is in its path.

 

[solofly]

It will be a while before software catches up and by then there will be more than 6 core CPUs...

 

[PsiStar]

Why not ask someone who has both at 4.4ghz?

To be honest, you wont see much visually.
The extra cores goes unused most of the time unless im benching.

Not even some of the more recient multi threaded games will use all 6 cores. :\

As you go higher then 4, the Vtt component plays more into overclocking.

But when you do throw things that are multi threaded, they tear up whatever is in its path.

I think you said something about current going up dramatically at some 4+ GHz OC ... really? I searched for that & couldn't find the reference. What is your experience?

Actually, all I want is to be able to beat Rubycon's dual w5580s with *1* of these!! LOL Note that they are not stable with Linx.

LOL the Core name is just a baby compared to the Pentium name. That should've been retired YEARS ago!

I miss the numbers - i.e. 8080/8088/286/386/486 etc.

Numbers are best IMHO. At least they haven't started using Pinto, Mustang, Cobra, AMG ... .. .

 

[KamiXkaze]

Those are going to cost $1300 on March 16th.
Microcenter has the 975 for $799 now!

That's kind of fast, and the chip is not officially out yet.

kXk

 

[efficacyman]

Now on sale at Microcenter for $999 (limit one instore only). I guess the real question is, is it worth it. Debating between i930 and the 980x for bragging rights.
http://f.microcentermail.com//asbs/...&K=BSav&BrCs=498&BrCg=16186839&BrRc=110046327

 

[Shmee]

if you can afford it no prob, I would get the gulftown because of the extra cache, die shrink, and +2 cores. However, if not, just get the 930, there is no point in spending more IMO unless it has 6 cores or dual QPI.

 

[aigomorla]

Actually, all I want is to be able to beat Rubycon's dual w5580s with *1* of these!! LOL Note that they are not stable with Linx.

i have already.

She moved onto other things to slaughter me at.

 

[Rubycon]

i have already.

She moved onto other things to slaughter me at.

Yes the Dells don't overclock yet the CPUs all did make it into Windows at 4.5GHz at 1.3 volts. I cannot be responsible? for hacking up $13,000 computers though.

Which reminds me I got an email this AM that six 980Xs are waiting for me in Miami. Honestly I have no idea what to do with those since I have only ONE 1366 socket board free. (P6T7) I suppose if they o/c to 4.4+ with a VX I can give the 3520s the boot. :biggrin:

Don't these come with a new four heatpipe cooler from Intel? I asked and they said they were not supplied with any cooler. Dammit! I always NEVER want the stock cooler (although I did get to keep the one from my QX9650!) and now I just wanted one to check out. Even worse is if I want the cooler they tell me I will have to wait another two weeks which means 25+ days for me. I think I will pass.