The Ivy Bridge Preview: Core i7 3770K Tested
by Anand Lal Shimpi on March 6, 2012 8:16 PM EST- Posted in
- CPUs
- Intel
- Core i7
- Ivy Bridge
Ivy Bridge Architecture Recap
At IDF Intel disclosed much of Ivy's CPU architecture, but below is a quick summary:
- 4-wide front end with µOp cache from Sandy Bridge
- OoO execution engine from Sandy Bridge
- Data structures previously statically shared between threads can now be dynamically shared (e.g. DSB queue), improves single threaded performance
- FP/integer divider delivers 2x throughput compared to Sandy Bridge
- MOV instructions no longer occupy an execution port, potential for improved ILP when MOVs are present
- Power gated DDR3 interface
- DDR3L support
- Max supported DDR3 frequency is now 2800MHz (up from 2133MHz), memory speed can be moved in 200MHz increments
- Lower system agent voltage options, lower voltages at intermediate turbo frequencies, power aware interrupt routing
- Power efficiency improvements related to 22nm
- Configurable TDP
I've highlighted the three big items from a CPU performance standpoint. Much of the gains you'll see will come from those areas coupled with more aggressive turbo frequencies.
On the GPU, the improvements are more significant. Some of the major changes are below:
- DirectX 11 Support
- More execution units (16 vs 12) for GT2 graphics (Intel HD 4000)
- 2x MADs per clock
- EUs can now co-issue more operations
- GPU specific on-die L3 cache
- Faster QuickSync performance
- Lower power consumption due to 22nm
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Mithan - Wednesday, March 7, 2012 - link
Most gamers don't spend money on the I7 lineup, prefering to buy the Core i5 series and invest the extra money into more GPU.just4U - Thursday, March 8, 2012 - link
It's not only the extra money.. Apparently the 2500K does better in a fair number of games over the 2600K (in part.. i think due to Hyper Threading) and the graphs seem to support that (altho maybe not for the reason I mentioned)Looking at the 3700 series though it beats out both the 2500K and 2600K so I think that one is going to be of special interest to gamers.. moving forward.
auvrea - Monday, November 19, 2012 - link
bumpnuha_te10 - Tuesday, March 6, 2012 - link
I'm afraid the next Haswell will be Tock-Arnulf - Wednesday, March 7, 2012 - link
Why ?If the statement "the significant gains we're seeing here with Ivy will pale in comparison to what Haswell provides" is true then I'm looking forward to Haswell very much. I'll finally be able to dump discrete GPU as I only use relatively mdoest dislay resolutions, and instead pour the money into even quieter cooling solution. Silence, sweet silence :)
Articuno - Tuesday, March 6, 2012 - link
Nice to see AMD winning where it actually matters for most consumer applications.Exodite - Wednesday, March 7, 2012 - link
Browsing?Fujikoma - Wednesday, March 7, 2012 - link
You crack me up... that was truly a funny response.Seriously though, Llano isn't that bad for a generic/cheap build. I did pick one up to build a machine for my mom. The mobo and the proc. were justified by the price. I knew it wouldn't be powerful, but it's fairly energy efficient, has decent graphics and the money I saved went toward the ssd. Most people I build/fix computers for, don't come close to using them to their potential, so price becomes the biggest factor. Would I buy one for myself? No, I'll stick with the i7 I currently have and when I build my next machine, it looks like it'll be an Intel also.
Exodite - Wednesday, March 7, 2012 - link
Thanks. :)I quite agree, Llano is awesome for what it does and provides an excellent platform for most users.
I'm just tired of the assumption that GPU grunt is more powerful than CPU.
It's true that most of my friends and family would be perfectly happy with the GPU muscle in a Llano chip. That said, they'd also be perfectly happy with the iGPU in something like a i3 2100.
As for myself I'm using an i7 2600K, running at stock, but then I have somewhat different requirements.
I'd not hesitate to recommend either Llano or Intel chips with iGPU solutions, it all depends on the person really.
Exodite - Wednesday, March 7, 2012 - link
...'GPU grunt is more important that CPU'... would probably read better, looking back.Ah well, you get the point I'm sure.