Intel Brands Core i3, i5 and i7 Series!
Hey guys, Icarus here again! Today, I will be talking about Intel’s new branding of the Core series, the i3, i5 and i7 series of processors.
In one of my previous posts, I talked about the new features and some of the enormous capabilities of the i7. In this post, I’m going to be talking about the other two in the series also:
1. The meaning of the brand names(i3, i5 and i7)
2. Some of the new, future processors in the line-up
3. Why is Intel doing this?
The Meaning Behind the Name
Well, Core i7 sounds pretty “tech-y” and sleek right? Well, now Intel came up with two more similar names, just with different numbers.
Basically, what the series name now means is entry-level(i3), mid-level(i5) and high-level(i7). These are all pointing at the power and some features of each level of this new Core series.
The Future Processors in the Line-Up
We have the Lynnfield chip for the i5 and i7 series for desktops, Clarksfield for the i7 series mobile processor, Arrandale for all 3 levels, and the Clarksdale under the i3 and i5 brands.
I am sure that Intel has more and more processors in the making, and we have yet to see any benchmarks or leaks on these processors. Hopefully, some of them will start selling late this year and we will have more affordable, powerful processors.
So Why is Intel Doing this?
I was thinking, and many of you may be thinking, why would Intel split the new Core series into levels of power/use?
Well, my first guess is that Intel is trying to concentrate its efforts solely on this new Intel Core series. If you look back maybe for a few years, we have the Core 2 Duo, the Core 2 Quad, the Core 2 Extreme, Pentium, Pentium II, Petium III… the list goes on.
I am guessing that Intel, by concentrating its efforts and organizing the Intel Core iX series right now, is trying to “get rid” of some of these other names to simplify the Intel processor family name. The Pentium’s will die out soon, then the Core 2 series, then all that will be left is the Core iX series.
Another reason could be that Intel is making more powerful chipsets affordable early on. In this marketing strategy, the name will be known to all levels of computer builders(low-end, mid-level, and high-end budget builders). Basically, this plan kills two birds with one stone:
1. People are happy with the prices and the power the Core i3, i5, and i7 processors provide
2. The brand name Core i3, i5, and i7 will be more well known by many other people.
So, that’s it for today. Hope you enjoyed my post!
And please, please comment! I love comments, and I’ll take any suggestions.
Also, don’t forget to comment about what you want reviewed! I am holding back until I get more suggestions!
Have a great day, and see you tomorrow!
Cheers,
~| Icarus
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The History of CPU’s and GPU’s
Have you ever thought of a day when only a CPU or GPU controlled the whole system, and the other option was not there anymore? Recently, I have. It’s Icarus here again, and I’m just going to start this out by talking about the two: CPU’s and GPU’s.
This thought came to mind when I was thinking about the recent court case between Intel and NVidia, fighting over licensing rights for developing chipsets that supported the Core i7 Nehalem processors. Intel is the processor powerhouse, and NVidia is a large GPU competitor against ATI.
Now, years and years ago, when computers were still at lower levels, and Intel was competing against stronghold AMD with its new Pentium processors, not much was integrated; memory controllers were in a separate location on the motherboard, memory was still controlled via the memory controller, there was only DDR memory, and the GPU was at its separate location, receiving commands from the CPU. Initially, a computer could not work without a CPU or a GPU; the computer had to have both. You’d definitely need a CPU to send commands to other components through the motherboard for the computer to even function, and you’d need a GPU to have a display to look at.
As developers and manufacturers created new and better computer hardware at an alarming rate, things started to become integrated; AMD went on to be the first to include the on-die memory controller in its CPU’s, NVidia was established and began to create its own GPU’s, Intel began the development of the Core2 series, and motherboard chipsets became more and more advanced for CPUs to be able to process and send commands and data to components of the computers more quickly. CPU’s and GPU’s developed at a neck-to-neck rate, and both were progressively becoming much more powerful and efficient.
And now, here we are today, with the Core i7 Nehalmen processors, ATI’s popular 4870 X2 and NVidia’s GTX 295 GPU’s, one with 2 GPU’s on one graphics card and the latter with one powerful GPU. Intel now includes its on-die memory controller in the CPU itself, and now there’re motherboards with integrated GPU’s powerful enough to produce a good display on monitors. Everything is becoming INTEGRATED.
So, what’s next on the menu? Well, I’m going to talk about the hypothetical situations I thought of when either the CPU or GPU completely takes control of a computer, meaning that one can live without the other(CPU won’t even need on-board integrated GPU).
Don’t forget to comment!! Comments are always welcome; criticisms, compliments, suggestions, whatever you want covered in my blogs. And please, when you put criticisms, put it in a mannered fashion. It’s a blog, not a flame war zone Xp
And don’t forget to subscribe! I’m going to be writing at least one good blog post a day, and that’s a promise!
Well, that’s all I got for tonight! See you all later! Come back tomorrow!
~| Icarus
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Issue between Intel and NVidia
Hey guys, Icarus here. I’ve recently been reading up on the issue between Intel and NVidia more, and since they’ve gone to court on Thursday, I thought I’d shed light on what the issue is here.
So basically, this all started when NVidia released plans of the future about developing motherboard chipsets that will support Intel’s new Core i7 Nehalem architecture. Intel tried to talk NVidia out of going with this plan, but NVidia kept its plan and began the development of a new motherboard chipset that would let NVidia fans use Core i7 processors on NVidia chipsets, allowing the fans to hold the power of the Core i7 and Tri-SLI GPU’s.
However, Intel didn’t want NVidia to go on with the plans, and took this case to court, saying that NVidia does not have the license to create chipsets that support Intel’s new QPI(QuickPath Interconnect) system and integrated memory-controller technology. But NVidia says that they have a few-years old license that allows them to do the exact thing.
But what’s really the issue here? It’s really just Intel trying to hold its advantage, among other things. Currently, ONLY Intel’s X58 motherboard chipset supports Intel’s incredibly powerful Corei7 Nehalem processors. Basically, Intel has a sort of a monopoly going on in the Core i7 industry, because they develop and manufacture both the processors and the motherboards that work together.
Now, NVidia wants a piece of the cake. In the previous years, NVidia has successfully developed chipsets that supported the Core2 series of processors(680i, 780i, 790i Ultra, among others), and they have been extremely popular, competing well against Intel’s own chipsets(P35, X48, P45, etc.). And now, Intel has unleashed a processor that outperforms many of the Core 2 processors that cost a lot more than the Core i7 processors. NVidia is definitely hungry for a large piece of this new series of processors, and is now trying to do the same thing it succeeded in doing during the reign of the Core2 processors.
So, here’s the summary of what Intel would lose if NVidia succeeds in developing their new chipset:
1. Intel would lose the advantage of saying that their X58 motherboards are the only motherboards that support Core i7 processors
2. Intel will no longer be able to have an edge over NVidia with the Core i7 and X58 motherboard, because NVidia will be able to create chipsets that allow both Core i7 and Tri-SLI graphics cards to work in unison. X58 motherboards only support up to SLI.
Well, that’s all for tonight. Tomorrow, I’m going to be talking about a bigger issue arising: processors vs graphics cards.
And don’t forget to comment, all comments are appreciated!
Also, subscribe to my blogs, I’m going to be posting at least one quality post a day!
See you all later!
~| Icarus
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Overall Value of Intel’s X58 Motherboard
Hey guys, Icarus here. I’ve been talking a lot about the new features of the X58 motherboard lately, but tonight, I”m going to finish the series up and tie up some loose ends by talking about the overall value of the Intel X58 motherboard.
Some of the new features of the Intel X58 motherboard include Triple-channel memory, the addition of the LGA 1366 platform for the new Core i7 Nehalem processors, and Intel’s QPI(QuickPath Interconnect) system. All of these new features add flare to this new motherboard, and it also makes it a fantastic investment if you have the money.
However, this motherboard is not for everyone. There are three factors for this:
1. Money
2. Needs
3. The Future
I’m going to start off by talking about money. Now, just the motherboard and processor costs a minimum of 500 dollars(that’s if you get the cheapest X58 motherboard and the 920, the lowest Core i7 processor). Now, that’s just two components, meaning that if you have a low budget(anywhere under 1000 dollars), you’ve already spent half or more than half of your budget. And that’s just the beginning; you also need some memory(which is still somewhat expensive), and that takes you up to 600 dollars. Now, most people are in the low-budget and mid-budget range, and spending 600 dollars on just three components of their new computer is somewhat ridiculous. Now, if you’re one of the people in the high-budget range… go ahead, buy the combination. You will all watch us drool as we watch you put the computer together and watch how quickly and efficiently the computer carries out your wishes and commands.
Now, the second factor is needs. Right now, the X58 motherboard in combination with the Core i7 and triple-channel enabled memory will absolutely rip apart any competition it has in its way. Now, if you’re out for the best of the best and you have no concern about money, then that’s no problem. However, we also have to think about over-performance. Over-performance is basically where your computer is too good for whatever you throw at it(programs, multitasking, etc.), having more power than you need. Now, if you’re going to play some games and do some Internet-surfing, then you would obviously not need the combination; the processor itself can handle up to 8 threads, and you’ll probably just use one, two threads max. Now, if you’re constantly video-editing, Photoshop-ing, high-quality gaming, and many things at once, then you may want to invest in this combination.
Now, the future. When I talk about “future” I mean in terms of what Intel will be releasing, and when Intel releases new things. I also include things like price and performance. How much longer until Intel releases a new, better processor and motherboard(reformed version)? How much will this new technology cost? Will it fit in your budget? How will these new releases perform compared to the current Core i7 Nehalem processors and X58 motherboards? Well, that’s in store in the future, we will not know until Intel tells us.
Well that’s all for now, and that’s the end of the Intel X58 Motherboard blog series! Hope you guys thoroughly enjoyed it. For my next post, I am thinking about researching some press releases on rumors and new technology. I’m sure you guys will all enjoy a breath of fresh air.
And don’t forget to comment about my blog posts, and what you want covered! And also, subscribe to my blog, I will be writing at least one quality article every single day.
Well, that’s all for tonight. See you all later!
~| Icarus
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Intel’s Triple-Channel Memory
Hey guys, Icarus here. A bit off topic, but a few minutes ago, it was just hailing LIKE CRAZY. I wish I could’ve taken a video of it, the rattling from the windows and the whole house was so loud! So much for Sunny San Diego huh? 
Today, I will be talking about another feature of the Intel X58 Motherboard: Triple-channel memory. But to completely comprehend the concept of this new system, first I’m going to explain the basics of dual-channel memory.
The dual-channel memory technology was created based on its predecessor, the single-channel memory. This memory technology began by addressing the relationship between the memory controller and the processor; the processor would process data and create commands, and the memory controller would regulate this flow of data and commands, and sends them into other components such as the actual memory(RAM) and other smaller components(IDE, USB, etc.). Simply put, under the single-channel memory, a processor with a bus speed greater than that of the RAM would cause a “traffic jam” of data and commands in the memory and, consequently, they would not reach all of the components; if all of these commands and data files do not reach the other components, they would not operate, and the processor would have nothing to process.
The dual-channel memory technology was created in order to cope with the higher demands of processors. Now, instead of having a single channel through the memory controller, there are now two, and because of this, RAM can now keep up with the demands of the processors.
Now, because there are processors like INtel’s Core i7 with quad core technology and ridiculous processing speeds, Intel had to create triple-channel memory technology. Simply put, instead of having two channels like dual-channel memory, there are now three; you can install a set of three memory modules into the motherboard, and the motherboard will have more channels to push data and commands to other components.
So there you have it, the explanation of Triple-Channel Memory! But how will this effect us? Well, it won’t effect us at this moment; because DDR3 dual-channel enabled memory can still keep up with Core i7’s processing speeds, having triple-channel enabled memory would just create one more channel that the processor will have when it needs more room to push data and commands. This technology, however, will definitely effect us in the future; as processing manufacturers release more and more high-speed and high-quality processors, dual-channel memory will be unable to keep up with the demands of the new processors, and we will eventually move on to triple-channel memory and maybe abandon dual-channel memory as ancient technology.
Well, that’s all I have tonight. Please, PLEASE leave some comments, I would love to hear what you think about my blogs, and maybe even have a casual conversation going! And don’t forget to subscribe to my blog, I will be writing at least one quality article a day!
See you all later(in my blog ;D ) and good night!
~| Icarus
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