Core i7 processors race ahead

Early tests on processors using Intel’s Nehalem architecture, due to launch later this month, show unprecedented performance increases over the previous generation.

Nehalem is the codename for the new platform, which encompasses the new Core i7 processors, the x58 chipset and a new socket called Socket B, or the LGA-1366.

There are three quad-core Nehalem processors in the first release: the 3.2GHz Core i7-965 Extreme Edition, the 2.93GHz Core i7-940, and the 2.66GHz Core-i7 920.

Respective bulk prices are $999, $562, and $284 – the sterling price is likely to fluctuate in current market conditions.

A major break with previous generations is the fact that the memory controller is on the central processor, avoiding the bottleneck of the old front side bus (FSB). The FSB is superseded by a new fast interconnect called Quickpath.

The new arrangement is similar to one that gave AMD the edge over Intel when it first launched the Athlon. Core i7 also introduces the SSE4.4 extension to the instruction set to boost multimedia processing.

As soon as Intel lifted reporting restrictions on the new processors, UK-based system builder Yoyotech immediately announced a 965-based machine, overclocked to 3.73GHz, that it claimed was the fastest single-processor system ever.

The Fi7power Mlk1610 uses 9GB of Corsair DDR5 memory, an Asus P67 motherboard and a super-fast 80GB Intel solid-state drive.

PCW Labs test results will be posted shortly.