Overview of the Intel Core i7-870: description, features and reviews

The flagship central processing unit "Kor i7 870" from Intel Corporation of 2009, which even now can solve even the most difficult problems without special difficulties, will be considered in detail in this material. Also, the strengths and weaknesses of this semiconductor crystal will be indicated.

What is this chip capable of? Its market segment

Specifications of the technical plan for "Kor i7 870" continue to remain still relevant and without any problems to solve any problems, including the most complex ones. In this case, there is no special need to increase its clock frequency (that is, to "disperse" this silicon crystal). Its four computational modules initially function at a very solid clock frequency, and the subsystem of fast volatile memory by its organization practically does not differ from current processors. As a result, we get one of the most productive chips in 2009, which after 7 years from the beginning of sales continues to be relevant.

Complete with CPU

Intel Core i7 870 was sold in two different versions of the bundle. More simplified and accessible of them was designated as "Treil". In this case, the user received the instruction for use together with the warranty card, the company label of the family of semiconductor chips and the chip itself. The second version of the bundle was called "Box", and it was a boxed version of the central processing unit. It included, in addition to the previously mentioned components for the previous version of the bundle, also a standard cooler, a proprietary box and thermal grease.

The first version of the bundle was better suited for computer enthusiasts and overclockers who could afford to buy an advanced cooling system and thereby increase the final performance of the computer system. But the boxed version of the bundle was better suited for ordinary users, who, with the basic performance of this solution, was quite enough.

Socket

Intel Core i7 870 was aimed at installing the most advanced socket in 2009, Intel Corporation for computer-based entry-level solutions - LGA1156. And it was one of the most productive processors of this platform. The basic set of logic in this case consisted of only one south bridge - P55. And the north bridge was moved to the chip body. A little later, there were other chipsets for this platform - the H57 Express and the H55 Express. In fact, it was the same P55, but supplemented with a graphic subsystem. The most optimal in conjunction with this CPU was to use P55, whose capabilities were quite enough for the disclosure of this high-performance semiconductor solution.

Technological process

The central processing unit Core i7 870 was manufactured according to the standards of the technological process (45 nm), which in 2009 was advanced. Since then, it has been 7 years already, and already in the production of advanced computing solutions, a technological process (14 nm) is used. Despite such a big difference, this high-performance chip continues to be relevant and without any problems can solve any task even for today.

Cache

The high-performance CPU Core i7 870 should have been equipped with a three-level cache without fail. Otherwise, he could not solve the tasks of increased complexity even in 2009. At the same time, memory capacity should also be good.

As a result, the engineers-developers have equipped it as follows:

• The first level for each core was represented by two-part modules of 32 kb each. One of them specialized in storing the instructions of the CPU, and the second - in the storage of data. That is, one computational module could use 64 kb in total. Well, since the total number of cores was 4, we get 4 * 64 = 256 KB.

• The second level no longer had such a strict specialization regarding the type of stored information, but it was divided between individual kernels. The capacity for each computational block was 256kb. Well, in sum, its overall size was 1 MB (4 cores at 256 kb).

• The third level of the cache was shared by the entire CPU. Its size was 8 MB.

Random Access Memory

The i7 870 processor was focused on the use of the most advanced type of RAM at that time - DDR3. The manufacturer recommended using the DRA3-1066 or DDR3-1333 straps in combination with this CPU. In practice, it was possible to install faster modules of this type of RAM, but they could not function faster than DDR3-1333. The maximum amount of RAM that the processor could address in this case is 16 GB.

Another important technological nuance is the integration of a dual-channel RAM controller into a semiconductor chip of the CPU. This engineering solution significantly improved the performance of the final computer system.

Operating temperature of a semiconductor crystal. Thermal package

The maximum permissible temperature for "Kor i7 870" was equal to 72.7 degrees. As a rule, in practice this meant that the cooling system for some reason was out of order. In normal operating mode, the temperature of this chip is in the range of 40-55 degrees. If you overclock this flagship processor, then the temperature mode will change. In this situation, it will be within the limits of 50 to 60 degrees. Overcome the symbolic value of 60 degrees is possible only when you run the most demanding software. But even in this situation, the temperature is unlikely to exceed the permissible limits and will not exceed 70 degrees. The thermal packet of this chip was equal to 95 W.

Frequency formula

This chip was equipped with technology such as "Turbo Bust". Therefore, its clock frequency changed depending on the degree of complexity of the task being solved, the number of computing resources involved and the thermal state of the CPU. The reference clock with increased heat in the Core i7 870 is 2.93 GHz. The next value is 3.2 GHz.

At the same time, all 4 modules work in both modes at once. Only in the first case there is a decrease due to chip overheating or because of the simplicity of the problem being solved, and in the second case, in all other situations, when 4 cores are needed in operation. The next value is 3.47 GHz. When switching to this mode, the processor disconnects 2 computational modules. The maximum frequency in this case is 3.6 GHz. The computer system only works in 1 thread.

Architecture

The code name for the computational units of this chip is Nehalem. This central processor included 4 cores at once. In addition, the distinctive feature of the "Kor Ai7" series of semiconductor solutions is the support of the proprietary technology, codenamed "Hyper Trending", which allowed to get 2 logical ones (that is, at the program level) on the basis of one physical core. This semiconductor crystal in this case was no exception. As a result, at the program level, he showed 8 computational flows at once.

All this allows him even now, without much difficulty, to cope with any application software (both with optimized for multi-threaded hardware, and no).

Overclocking

Theoretically, it was possible to implement the Intel i7 870 overclocking, determined with the help of the system bus. But in practice, the manufacturer recommended using Kor Ai7 9xx chips for these purposes, which also had a Black Edichon prefix.

In the case of "Kor Ai7 8XX", the performance level was initially redundant, and creating additional significant workload on the computer system was completely inappropriate. Now the performance of this CPU can be estimated as sufficient. It allows you to run any software that is currently available.

User reviews. Cost of CPU

The only drawback that a premium processor can have is a high cost. The manufacturer's recommended price was $ 305. But we must understand that a quality thing can not cost a penny. So in this case - the chip, which is still in place for more than one year, should be expensive. Otherwise, this CPU has only advantages. These include performance, heat and functionality.

Even the minimum frequency of Intel i7 870 2, 93 GHz allows you to use most of the existing software. Well, it's not worth talking about higher-speed modes - they increase productivity even more.

Results

Technical parameters of "Kor i7 870" still continue to be relevant for today. It makes no sense to buy such a system unit (there are more profitable new solutions). But the upgrade of such a PC is also inexpedient. Its resources are still sufficient for the realization of almost any task.