What is better Intel Core i3 or Core i5? Why is Core i7 so expensive? And where did the Pentium go? Intel Pentium and Core i3: 3rd Gen Core i3 dual-core optimality

After the announcement of the LGA1155 platform, Intel has been methodically updating its processor lines. Starting with top-end CPUs, the manufacturer is moving to Sandy Bridge and more affordable solutions - Core i3 and Pentium. The latter are intended for systems of initial and intermediate levels. Models costing "about $ 100" have always been the objects of close attention from users who are used to looking for the best options when completing a system. Often people who choose a processor from this price category approach this issue even more responsibly than those who are willing to pay any price for maximum performance. Let's see what the new Intel products are capable of in comparison with their predecessors and alternative solutions from the main competitor.

From a technical point of view, the most important difference between Core i3 and Core i5 / i7 chips is that they are based on an initially dual-core crystal, and not a quad-core one with deactivated computing units. That is, no tricky tricks with unlocking will work here, however, Intel chips did not provide such an opportunity before. The area has decreased from 216 to 131 mm2, therefore, there are much more blanks from one silicon wafer, and the cost of their production is lower. Accordingly, Intel has a chance to offer interesting retail prices, continuing to make money even on budget processors.

What changes have occurred in terms of functional equipment? The amount of L1 and L2 cache is identical for all Sandy Bridge models (64 KB and 256 KB per core), but the L3 buffer in Core i3 has decreased in proportion to the number of cores - from 6 to 3 MB. The compact die, made using 32-nanometer technology, allows you to count on good power consumption. The TDP for the second generation Core i3 is 65W, while the predecessors from the Clarkdale family had this parameter in the range of 73W.

3DMark 06 CPU benchmark scores

System power consumption, W

PCMark 7 Computation Scenario Scores

Fritz chess Benchmark 4.2, thousand nodes/s

x264 HD Benchmark 4.0 fps

WinRAR 4.0, KB/s

CineBench 11.5 points

Resident Evil 5, 1920x1080, DX9, medium quality, fps

Colin McRae: DiRT 3, 1920x1080, medium quality, fps

Far Cry 2, 1920×1080, medium quality, fps

On-chip integrated graphics Intel HD Graphics 2000 with 6 computing units. The nominal frequency of the video core is 850 MHz, while during operation it can dynamically increase up to 1.1 GHz. Support for Quick Sync, a powerful video transcoding tool, has been retained. The advantage of the Core i3 is also the Hyper Threading technology, which adds a couple more virtual ones to the two physical cores. In multi-threaded applications, this function sometimes plays a very important role, allowing you to use CPU resources more efficiently. We also note the ability of the processor to execute instructions from the AVX (Advanced Vector Extensions) set, which, with the proper degree of optimization, will help speed up floating point calculations, which are actively used in multimedia software.

Alas, the Core i3 does not support Turbo Boost technology for dynamically increasing the frequency of processor cores, which is to some extent offset by high nominal values. Given the positioning of the CPU of this family, there are also no AES encryption instructions here.

The current line of processors consists of four models. The younger Core i3-2100 with a clock speed of 3.1 GHz is offered for $117. The Core i3-2120 runs at 3.3GHz and costs $20 more. Intel also provided an economical version of the i3-2100T with a TDP of 35W. As a rule, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the CPU by reducing the operating clock frequency and supply voltage. Motherboards that allow the user to downclock themselves and lower the voltage below the recommended values ​​often achieve similar results. But in the event that this is not possible, the purchase of energy-efficient models will be justified. Core i3-2100T operates at 2.5 GHz, and the frequency of the graphics unit is reduced from 850 to 650 MHz, while it can dynamically increase to 1.1 GHz.

Chips with reduced power consumption will be in demand for systems with compact packages that have a small volume and, accordingly, limited options for choosing a cooling system.

The Core i3-2105 stands apart in the series. This model has identical clock speeds with the i3-2100, but differs from other devices in the family by using more powerful graphics Intel HD Graphics 3000. Returning to the topology of the crystal, we note that the graphics component occupies a significant part of it - about a quarter. In turn, the lion's share of space is given to computing units. Therefore, taking into account the fact that most budget models will have HD Graphics 2000 with 6 blocks, not 12, Intel developers rightly considered that the banal deactivation of half of the computers is not a very rational solution. Therefore, from a technological point of view, it turned out to be more profitable to have two designs of dual-core crystals. The version with more powerful graphics has a slightly larger area (149 mm2), but in terms of power consumption it also fits into 65 watts. As we saw earlier, the performance of HD Graphics 2000 and 3000 is noticeably different: depending on the tasks, the latter turns out to be 1.5-2 times faster, while seriously competing with budget discrete video cards. Paying $14 extra for the faster graphics upgrade makes sense if you're determined to use integrated video and the HD Graphics 2000's capabilities seem inadequate for the intended tasks.

Unlike mobile solutions, where even dual-core processors can be offered under the Core i7 brand, among desktop Core models with the Sandy Bridge architecture, there is currently a fairly clear segmentation by the number of computing units (physical and virtual): Core i7 - 4 cores and Hyper Threading , Core i5 - 4 cores without HT, Core i3 - 2 cores and Hyper Threading.

Pentium

If we move down the conditional scale of differentiation of current Intel processors, Pentium chips follow Core i3. With the advent of the Core architecture, it's no exaggeration to say that the legendary brand has been used to denote fairly affordable CPUs with a traditionally good price/performance ratio. The modernization of this line has been asking for a long time. Recently, models for the still current LGA775 platform have not been easy to resist the onslaught of inexpensive solutions from AMD, especially to compete on equal terms with the tri-core Athlon II X3, which at a similar price often offered higher performance. Pentiums on the Clarkdale core for the LGA1156 connector have not received significant distribution. The market situation at the time of the release of this platform was such that it was primarily positioned by Intel as a solution for mid-range and high-end systems. Therefore, even after expanding the initial range of processors, the minimum cost of an entrance ticket here remained quite high. The retail price of the most affordable Pentium G6950 is about $100, which is a little expensive for an entry-level PC. It is easy to assume that Pentium for LGA1156, combining two crystals (CPU and GPU), has a higher cost. Therefore, it is quite difficult to seriously reduce the price of these processors. In addition, in this case we are talking about budget chips of mass production. And boards cheaper than $80-90 for LGA1156 actually appeared only after Sandy Bridge was announced.

The updated Pentium modifications are the result of a simple simplification of the dual-core chips used for the Core i3. First of all, Pentiums lost Hyper Threading technology, as well as the ability to execute AVX instructions. However, the amount of cache memory is identical to those for the Core i3. The new chips of the Pentium family also use Intel HD Graphics 2000 graphics, although with a number of restrictions regarding the support of proprietary technologies. In particular, Quick Sync, Intel Clear Video HD visual enhancement and stereoscopic image output (Intel InTru 3D) do not work here.

At the initial stage, the line includes four models: Pentium G850 (2.9 GHz), G840 (2.8), G620 (2.6 GHz) and G620T (2.2 GHz). As you might guess, the latter refers to economical modifications, the power consumption level of which does not exceed 35 watts. In addition to the clock frequency reduced to 2.2 GHz, like the energy-efficient Core i3-2100T model, it also has the nominal frequency of the graphics core reduced to 650 MHz with a limit value of 1.1 GHz.

As you can see, the new Pentium processors, compared to the Core i3, are mostly lightweight in terms of functionality, while the basic characteristics should provide a decent level of performance. The Sandy Bridge microarchitecture used promises a good increase in performance, which we will try to verify during practical tests. As for the price, in wholesale lots the cost of the CPU family lies in the range of $64-86. The retail price will be somewhat higher, but it is obvious that Pentiums will cost less than not only the Core i3, but also their predecessors with the Clarkdale core.

The updated Pentium models were presented quite recently - at the end of May. And almost immediately appeared in retail sales in Ukraine. Intel has a good practice of bringing its products to market when they become available to customers either at the same time as the global launch or as soon as possible after.

Processor Specifications

Model	Core i3-2120	Core i3-530	Pentium G620/G850	Pentium G6950	Athlon II X3 455	Phenom II X4 955
codename	Sandy Bridge	Clarkdale	Sandy Bridge	Clarkdale	Rana	Deneb
Number of cores (threads), pcs.	2 (4)	2 (4)	2	2	3	4
Clock frequency, GHz	3,3	2,93	2,6/2,9	2,8	3,3	3,2
L3 cache size	3	4	3	3	–	6
Integrated graphics (core frequency)	Intel HD Graphics 2000 (850/1100)	Intel HD Graphics (733)	Intel HD Graphics 2000 (850/1100)	Intel HD Graphics (533)	–	–
Technology production, nm	32	32 + 45	32	32 + 45	45	45
Processor socket	LGA 1155	LGA 1156	LGA 1155	LGA 1156	AM3	AM3
Power consumption (TDP), W	65	73	65	73	95	125
Recommended price, $	138	~105*	64	87	76	117
* According to the catalog Hotline.ua

Overclocking

Overclocking is a fairly popular pastime for many enthusiasts. Someone in this way is trying to increase the performance of the system in the hope of delaying the next upgrade. For some, this is a hobby, a sport, or a way to satisfy idle curiosity by exploring the possibilities and hidden potential of the CPU.

Unfortunately, those who like to experiment with overclocking will be slightly disappointed this time. Taking into account the specifics of the clock generator operation in the new platform and the blocked processor multiplier in the considered chips, it is obvious that the room for maneuver is seriously limited here. Even despite the relatively high multipliers (+100–150 MHz), this is all that can be squeezed out after increasing the carrier bus to 103–106 MHz, at which current motherboards remain stable. Of course, these are not the indicators that we would like to get, especially considering that the older Sandy Bridge models, even in air, often take frequencies of 4500 MHz and higher. Alas, the new Pentium and Core i3 are absolutely not designed for overclocking. You will have to come to terms with this fact and take it into account when buying. At the same time, it is also important not to forget that these chips are noticeably more productive than their predecessors even in normal mode, which can offset the difference in frequencies.

Modifications with unlocked multipliers among Core i3 and Pentium, in our opinion, can not be expected. Models with the K index so beloved by overclockers will be available only in the lines of more expensive Core i5/i7.

Results

As the test results show, the new Intel processors in the middle price category in terms of performance have a noticeable superiority over their predecessors. Under conditions of good multi-threaded optimization of programs, AMD chips with a large number of physical computing units can sometimes show serious resistance. For example, if you look at the performance of the Athlon II X3 455 and Pentium G620, which are now offered at about the same price, then a three-core CPU has a certain advantage in applications where calculations can be performed in parallel. Even despite the fact that the core performance in terms of megahertz in AMD products with the K10.5 architecture is noticeably lower than in Intel chips based on Sandy Bridge, brute force is often quite effective in such software, although this is achieved by increasing energy costs by a factor of 1.5. However, we must admit that this is an ideal case when all processor cores are used as efficiently as possible. In real applications, this is, alas, not often. In games, the unconditional superiority of the new Intel solutions. As we could see earlier, the Sandy Bridge microarchitecture perfectly copes with such loads, and the gap between both its predecessors and competitor models is maximum here.

The new Pentiums are on average 20% more productive than the LGA1156 CPUs of the same name and compete almost equally with the Core i3 based on the Clarkdale core, which are noticeably more expensive. The simplification of the functional part of these chips did not affect their performance too much. Therefore, these models can be recommended for creating universal systems and entry-level gaming platforms. In turn, the second-generation Core i3 also noticeably accelerated. Of course, it is difficult to compete with the quad-core Core i5, but high clock speeds and support for Hyper Threading technology allow them to demonstrate very good results, including in applications with multi-threaded optimization. Well, in games, they sometimes look preferable to the quad-core AMD Phenom II X4. Given that these processors have retained the functionality of older models, they may be of interest for creating both mid-range gaming PCs and powerful multimedia systems.

This time, Intel has done everything to make the LGA1155 platform truly universal. The existing infrastructure allows you to create both a top-end system and an inexpensive entry-level PC. For powerful configurations, motherboards based on Intel Z68 and P67 chipsets are enough on the market, and for the most affordable solutions, models based on Intel H61 can be used. The Intel processor line now looks very even. There are no distortions or obvious competition between solutions of different families. So far, one brick is missing - the most affordable CPU models. Celeron is also scheduled to move to 32nm process rails and progressive microarchitecture soon. Presumably, these chips will appear in the third quarter of this year, at the same time the range of other lines on Sandy Bridge will be expanded.

Test stand configuration

Intel, www.intel.ua

IntroductionThe outgoing year turned out to be very rich in events in the world of central processors. But the main event that happened is, of course, the release of AMD Ryzen processors, which were able to radically change the landscape in the personal computer market. With the new Zen microarchitecture, AMD has competitive offerings in all price ranges, from $100 chips to high-end HEDT solutions. And as a result, an unprecedented thing happened: Intel had to play the role of catching up this year.

The main idea that AMD began to promote with its Ryzen family of processors is to offer solutions with more advanced multithreading capabilities than everyone is used to. As a result, it turned out that in any price segment, AMD processors with a superior number of cores or threads began to play against Intel processors. Of course, this didn't always translate into superior performance, but from a marketing standpoint, Ryzen's advantage was undeniable. Therefore, Intel had to quickly look for a response to such a daring demarche of a competitor. And this answer was the Coffee Lake family, the release of which Intel even had to speed up somewhat.

The main noteworthy feature of Coffee Lake processors, classified by Intel as the eighth generation of Core processors, is the increased number of cores compared to its predecessors. For the past seven years, the Core i7, Core i5, and Core i3 processor families have had perfectly stable base specs. Core i7 offered four processing cores with support for Hyper-Threading technology and an 8 MB L3 cache; Core i5 had four cores without Hyper-Threading support and a 6 MB L3 cache; and Core i3 were processors with two cores and support for Hyper-Threading, equipped with an L3 cache of 3 or 4 MB. But now everything has changed dramatically. Core i7 became six-core with Hyper-Threading support and 12 MB L3 cache, Core i5 received six cores without Hyper-Threading and 9 MB L3 cache, and Core i3 became quad-core without Hyper-Threading, but with cache. 6 or 8 MB memory.

At the same time, the Coffee Lake microarchitecture itself did not receive any fundamental improvements compared to Kaby Lake or Skylake. For the last two generations of their processor designs, Intel engineers have focused all their efforts on optimizing the 14nm process technology. The newer 10nm process is still out of reach for high-area chips, so Intel is squeezing out higher frequencies and improved power consumption by improving its 14nm transistors and reducing their leakage currents. The current process technology has already become the third version of this technology, which is called 14++ nm in the Intel classification. According to the company, compared to the original technology, all other things being equal, it can achieve either a 26 percent increase in frequency or a 52 percent reduction in power consumption.

Unfortunately, the hasty release of Coffee Lake did not allow the microprocessor giant to form a full-fledged lineup. Today, each Core i7, Core i5, and Core i3 family has only two processor models. Moreover, their supplies are somewhat limited, which results in shortages and inflated prices. That is why we are not yet able to offer you a detailed review of the full eighth generation Core line. In this article, we will look only at two junior new items - processors that belong to the Core i3 class.

However, do not treat them with disdain. These are by no means the compromise solutions that the Core i3 used to be. Today's proposals of this class are full-fledged quad-core heirs of the Core i5 family. And this is an excellent illustration of the effectiveness of the power of competition: today Intel is ready to sell quad-core processors for $120-170, while quite recently such processors cost from $180 to $250. And even more than that, there are even overclocker models in the Core i3 series, which makes this kind of Coffee Lake at least a promising choice for relatively inexpensive builds.

Core i3-8350K and Core i3-8100 in detail

Previous processors in the Core i3 series were hardly impressive chips. The older Core i3-7350K, although it allowed overclocking, was clearly overpriced and required the purchase of expensive motherboards based on the Intel Z270 chipset for full use. At the same time, the younger representatives in the Core i3 series were of little interest against the background of cheaper Pentium processors, in which support for Hyper-Threading technology appeared in the Kaby Lake generation.

With Coffee Lake, the situation is quite different. This new generation Core i3 processors are similar to the Kaby Lake generation Core i5 processors, and their only weak point compared to their higher-end predecessors is the lack of automatic overclocking technology Turbo Boost. However, this weak point is only nominal, because the new Core i3 have sufficiently high clock speeds without that. The Core i3-8350K runs at 4.0 GHz, while the Core i5-7600K had a passport frequency of 3.8 GHz, and the Core i3-8100 is rated at 3.6 GHz, while even the Core i5-7500 the nominal frequency is set to 3.4 GHz.

As a result, the characteristics of the Core i3 of the Coffee Lake generation against the background of past CPUs are as follows:

The Core i3-8350K is interesting not only because of the additional cores. In addition, it has an L3 cache increased to 8 MB, which was previously characteristic only of the Core i7 series processors. Even representatives of the Core i5 lineup used to be limited to a 6 MB cache in the third level, not to mention the Core i3, in which the L3 cache had a capacity of 3 or 4 MB.

In addition, the Core i3-8350K is also the first processor in this series with a 91-watt TDP, while earlier this series could be classified as an energy-efficient solution. However, the Core i3-8350K is an overclocking CPU, and the formally installed thermal package is not so important for it. The younger Core i3-8100 fits into a more modest 65-watt frame, despite the fact that its frequency is not much lower and is 3.6 GHz. True, this processor lags behind the flagship of the series in terms of the volume of the L3 cache, which in this case has a volume of 6 MB.

Both the Core i3-8350K and Core i3-8100 have an integrated UHD Graphics 630 graphics core, which can be relevant when using these processors in office or multimedia systems. In terms of its capabilities and performance, the integrated GPU is completely similar to what was previously offered in Kaby Lake, so this solution is unlikely to be of interest to those users who are interested in computer games.

The recommended price for the Core i3-8350K is set at $168, which is the same price as the dual-core Core i3-7350K. On the contrary, the Core i3-8100 in the Intel price list is worth $117, which is ridiculous for a quad-core.

However, two points must be kept in mind here. Firstly, it is currently impossible to buy Coffee Lake at the price recommended by the manufacturer. Intel has not yet been able to meet the demand for new processors with improved performance, and as a result, when buying a Core i3-8350K and Core i3-8100, you will have to overpay $ 20 or more. Secondly, for the new Core i3, you will have to buy an expensive motherboard. Coffee Lake processors work exclusively in new motherboards based on 300-series chipsets. At the moment and until March next year, the only available chipset in this series will be the overclocker Z370. The cheapest boards based on it will cost $115-120, which is about two and a half times more expensive than budget boards based on the H110 chipset for Kaby Lake. Thus, it is unlikely that today it will be possible to assemble a really cheap system based on the Core i3 of the Coffee Lake generation, even despite the formally budgetary positioning of these processors.

To the above, we must add that the attractiveness of the older Core i3-8350K is also undermined by internal competition with the updated representatives of the Core i5 series. The fact is that attractive Coffee Lake is not only in the Core i3 series. For example, the six-core Core i5-8400 costs only $14 more than the Core i3-8350K, but it offers one and a half times more processing cores. And for those who are not interested in overclocking, the Core i5-8400 may be a better choice, especially in light of the fact that an increasing number of programs and games are starting to effectively parallelize the load.

Coffee Lake Processor Design Features

Before proceeding directly to getting acquainted with the performance of the main characters of this material, the quad-core processors Core i3-8350K and Core i3-8100, a few words need to be said about what their fundamental difference from the proposals of the previous generation lies in.

However, this section is unlikely to be long and informative. In short, at a low level, there is almost nothing in the new processors that would deserve any kind of detailed story: most of the structural blocks of Coffee Lake were transferred from past designs without any changes. That is, the main thing that is implemented in the new mass Intel processors is a high-level change in the general structure, which consists in increasing the maximum number of computing cores from four to six. If we talk about the IPC indicator (the number of instructions executed per cycle) and the specific performance per core, then no changes have occurred in these parameters. The computing cores of Coffee Lake are completely similar to the cores of Kaby Lake.

The possibility of the appearance of low-cost multi-core processors in the Intel assortment is largely due to the improvement of the 14-nm process technology launched by Intel back in 2014 (this process technology was first used for Broadwell processors). To date, this technology makes it possible to produce six-core solutions with a relatively low heat release and a good yield of suitable crystals. In the case of Coffee Lake, the production of processors uses a new modification of the 14-nm process technology, which Intel refers to the third generation of this production technology, conventionally designated 14 ++ nm.

The basic semiconductor chip of Coffee Lake looks very unusual. It's all about two additional cores, which are located along the ring bus stretched through the center of the crystal. The area of ​​such a crystal with six computing cores is about 150 mm2.

In addition to six full-fledged cores, each of which has its own 256 KB L2 cache, there is a shared L3 cache on the chip with a total capacity of 12 MB (based on 2 MB per core). Depending on which processor family the chip is used in, two computing cores can be deactivated on it at the production stage, as well as some segments of the L3 cache can be turned off, allowing it to be cut at the rate of 1.5 MB per core.

Another full-fledged component of the Coffee Lake core is the integrated graphics accelerator, which belongs to the 9.5 generation and the GT2 class (which means there are 24 execution units). This means that the integrated graphics in Coffee Lake are practically the same as Kabu Lake graphics, although they have received the more promising name "Intel UHD Graphics 630". The only real differences are slightly higher clock speeds and an improved software driver. The appearance of the UHD abbreviation in the name of the graphics core symbolizes the ability to connect 4K displays to it via DP 1.4 or HDMI 2.0 interfaces and its ability to play 4K video with 10-bit color depth with support for HDR10 / Dolby Vision standards.

All components of the Coffee Lake core, as before, are switched by a single ring bus. In other words, no network mesh interconnects, as in Skylake-X, are implemented in the new mainstream Intel processors.

The northbridge built into the Coffee Lake core continues to support dual-channel DDR4 memory. Here, compared to Kaby Lake, there are certain changes: in the new processors, Intel engineers have added formal support for faster memory types, for example, DDR4-2666, but abandoned backward compatibility with DDR3 memory. In overclocking mode, the new memory controller has become more pliable, and now memory module manufacturers for radical enthusiasts in all seriousness offer Coffee Lake compatible DDR4-4266 and DDR4-4333 kits. True, in the Core i3 processors that are discussed in this article, the specifications indicate not even DDR4-2666, but DDR4-2400 as the maximum memory mode. But this limitation will only make sense when low-cost motherboards with blocked overclocking appear on the market.

It should also be noted that the built-in Coffee Lake north bridge supports 16 PCI Express 3.0 lanes, which can be divided into two slots. As well as the use of the DMI 3.0 bus with a bandwidth of 32 Gb / s in each direction to connect with a set of system logic.

As for the microarchitecture, it is completely inherited in Coffee Lake from Kaby Lake and Skylake. That is, the last increase in IPC (the number of instructions executed per clock) in mainstream Intel processors occurred when the transition from the Haswell/Broadwell design to Skylake was made. Then, we recall, the increase in performance at the same clock speeds amounted to about 5-10 percent. A contribution to this was made by an increase in the width of the input part of the pipeline from four to five micro-ops, a one and a half-fold increase in the depth of the queue of decoded commands, an improved branch prediction unit, as well as an increase in the volume of buffers associated with the execution of micro-ops. In addition, some cache subsystem optimizations were performed in Skylake, which increased its throughput.

Intel Z370 platform

Together with the Coffee Lake desktop processors, Intel also offered a new set of logic - the Intel Z370. Despite the fact that the microprocessor giant has retained the familiar LGA1151 design for the eighth generation Core desktop processors, they can only work in new motherboards. This restriction is artificial, and it is implemented at the level of motherboard firmware, but this does not make it any easier for us: for any processors of the Coffee Lake family, you will need to purchase a new platform.

The Intel Z370 is the only chipset currently supporting the new processors. At the same time, it almost does not differ from the older chipset of the previous generation, the Z270. In fact, only those properties that are directly related to the processor differ: the Z370 supports new Coffee Lake processors and faster dual-channel DDR4-2666 SDRAM. At the same time, support for DDR3 (DDR3L) memory, which remained in Skylake and Kaby Lake for compatibility purposes, is no longer in the new platform. Otherwise, the Intel Z370 completely inherits all the functions incorporated in the Z270.

Such a strange platform update, within which only one chipset from a large family was cosmetically updated, is due to the fact that Intel developers simply did not have time to prepare a full-fledged set of system hubs for the release of Coffee Lake. Therefore, the release of the bulk of chipsets compatible with Coffee Lake has been pushed back to March 2018, and the Z370 is a kind of temporary and transitional option. The full set of chipsets of the 300th series, in addition to the Z370, will include a traditional set of solutions of various levels, which will include Q370, H370, Q360, B360 and H310. These "second wave" chips will bring long-awaited innovations: an integrated USB 3.1 Gen 2 bus controller with support for up to six ports of this type, support for SDXC memory cards, and an integrated 802.11ac Wi-Fi link layer controller. However, boards based on such chipsets, unlike platforms based on the Z370, will not allow processor overclocking.

As a result, today's Coffee Lake-compatible boards are frustratingly expensive. The Z370 does not allow motherboard manufacturers to create affordable solutions, so it turns out that the cheapest Coffee Lake motherboards cost about the same as the lowest processor in this series. For example: the official price of the Z370 is set at $47, while Intel was ready to supply partners with the mid-range chipset B250, which was popular in the past, for $28.

But on the other hand, the available motherboards based on the Z370, for the most part, have quite advanced characteristics. For example, all of them, without exception, support processor overclocking, and most support multi-GPU configurations. The Z370 can also offer 24 additional PCI Express 3.0 lanes in addition to the PCI Express processor lanes, which allows the boards to have a very rich set of expansion slots (both PCIe and M.2) and additional controllers. In addition, the Z370 supports 14 USB ports (USB 3.0 - up to 10) and 6 SATA 3.0 ports.

How We Tested

Based on the official pricing that Intel has set for its Core i3-8350K and Core i3-8100 processors, they should be considered as competitors for the quad-core Ryzen 3 and Ryzen 5 processors. But not everything is so simple. The described situation with compatible motherboards somewhat distorts the positioning: an assembly based on the Core i3-8350K will obviously cost more than an assembly on the Ryzen 5 1400 or Ryzen 5 1500X. Therefore, it is quite legitimate to compare with the older quad-core Coffee Lake and the significantly more expensive six-core Ryzen 5 1600X.

Therefore, in joint testing with the Core i3-8350K and Core i3-8100 processors, we had to include eleven different CPUs from the Ryzen, Kaby Lake and Coffee Lake families at once. In the end, the list of components involved in testing turned out to be as follows:

Processors:

AMD Ryzen 5 1600 (Summit Ridge, 6 cores + SMT, 3.2-3.6 GHz, 16MB L3);
AMD Ryzen 5 1500X (Summit Ridge, 4 cores + SMT, 3.5-3.7 GHz, 16MB L3);
AMD Ryzen 5 1400 (Summit Ridge, 4 cores + SMT, 3.2-3.4GHz, 8MB L3);
AMD Ryxen 3 1300X (Summit Ridge, 4 cores, 3.5-3.7GHz, 8MB L3);
AMD Ryzen 3 1200 (Summit Ridge, 4 cores, 3.1-3.4GHz, 8MB L3);
Intel Core i5-8400 (Coffee Lake, 6 cores, 2.8-4.0 GHz, 9 MB L3);
Intel Core i3-8350K (Coffee Lake, 4 cores, 4.0 GHz, 8 MB L3);
Intel Core i3-8100 (Coffee Lake, 4 cores, 3.6 GHz, 6 MB L3);
Intel Core i5-7600K (Kaby Lake, 4 cores, 3.8-4.2 GHz, 6 MB L3);
Intel Core i5-7400 (Kaby Lake, 4 cores, 3.0-3.5 GHz, 6 MB L3);
Intel Core i3-7350K (Kaby Lake, 2 cores + HT, 4.2 GHz, 4 MB L3).

CPU cooler: Noctua NH-U14S.
Motherboards:

ASRock Fata1ity AB350 Gaming K4 (Socket AM4, AMD B350);
ASUS Maximus IX Hero (LGA 1151 v1, Intel Z270);
ASUS ROG Strix Z370-F Gaming (LGA 1151 v2, Intel Z370).

Memory:

2 x 8 GB DDR4-2666 SDRAM, 15-15-15-35 (Corsair Vengeance LPX CMK16GX4M2B2666C16R).

Video Card: NVIDIA Titan X (GP102, 12 GB/384-bit GDDR5X, 1417-1531/10000 MHz)
Disk subsystem: Samsung 960 PRO 2TB (MZ-V6P2T0BW).
Power supply: Corsair RM850i ​​(80 Plus Gold, 850 W).

Testing was performed on the Microsoft Windows 10 Enterprise (v1709) Build 16299 operating system using the following set of drivers:

AMD Chipset Driver 17.30;
Intel Chipset Driver 10.1.1.44;
Intel Management Engine Interface Driver 11.6.0.1030;
Intel Turbo Boost Max 3.0 Technology Driver 1.0.0.1031;
NVIDIA GeForce 388.59 Driver.

Performance

Integrated Performance

To evaluate the performance of processors in common tasks, we used the Futuremark PCMark 10 1.0.1275 test package, which simulates the user's work in real common modern office programs and applications for creating and processing digital content. The latest version of this benchmark operates in three scenarios: Essentials (launching typical office applications and opening files, browsing websites, broadcasting video conferences), Productivity (working with a text editor and spreadsheets) and Digital Content Creation (photo editing, video editing, rendering and rendering).

To evaluate the complex performance in gaming 3D, we used the Futuremark 3DMark Professional Edition 2.4.3819 test, in which we used the Time Spy 1.0 scene.

Application Tests

The task that reacts most sensitively to the increase in processor parallelism is traditionally the final rendering in 3D design and simulation packages. We tested rendering speed in two popular renderers: in Corona 1.3, where we measured the time spent on rendering the standard BTR scene, widely used to measure performance; and in Blender 2.79 where the duration of building the final model from Blender Cycles Benchmark rev4 was checked.

The next test task is image processing. This uses Adobe Lightroom CC 2015.12 and Adobe Photoshop CC 2017.1.1. In the first case, performance is tested when batch processing a series of images in RAW format. The test scenario includes post-processing and export to JPEG at 1920 × 1080 resolution and maximum quality of two hundred 16-megapixel RAW images taken with a Fujifilm X-T1 digital camera. In the second - performance in the processing of individual graphic images. To do this, the average execution time of a test script, which is a creatively reworked Retouch Artists Photoshop Speed ​​Test, is measured, which includes a typical processing of four 24-megapixel images taken by a digital camera.

To test the speed of video processing, we used two modern encoders. In x264 r2851, the speed of video transcoding to H.264/AVC format was tested. To evaluate performance, we use the original 1080p@50FPS AVC video file with a bitrate of about 30 Mbps. Similarly, in x265 2.4+17 8bpp, we tested the video transcoding speed into the promising H.265/HEVC format. For performance evaluation, the same video file is used as in the x264 encoder transcoding speed test.

The study of speed in non-linear video editing was carried out in the popular package Adobe Premiere Pro CC 2017.1.2. In it, we measured the rendering time to H.264 Blu-Ray format of a project containing HDV 1080p25 footage with various effects applied.

To measure the speed of processors during information compression, we chose the WinRAR 5.50 archiver. The time taken to compress directories with various files with a total volume of 1.7 GB was measured with the maximum degree of compression.

Gaming Performance

Until recently, the performance of platforms equipped with modern processors in the vast majority of current games was determined by the capabilities of the graphics subsystem. However, the rapid growth in the performance of gaming video cards over the past few years has led to the fact that now performance is often limited not so much by the video card as by the central processor. And if earlier, in order to understand the gaming potential of a particular CPU, we had to use reduced resolutions, then with modern video cards this is not at all necessary.

To complete our processor test system, NVIDIA provided us with its latest GeForce GTX Titan (Pascal) accelerator, which, due to its unprecedented high power, is well suited for testing processors, since when using FullHD resolution, it hardly restrains processor power. As a result, we were able to abandon gaming tests at a resolution of 1280 × 800, which often did not meet with understanding from our readers. Now the dependence of the frame rate on the CPU power can be perfectly traced in absolutely real, and not artificially created conditions: in FullHD resolution of 1920 × 1080 and with maximum image quality settings. We have adopted this approach.

Energy consumption

Coffee Lake processors have gained a reputation for being hot and power-hungry despite Intel touting the new 14++nm process technology as an approach to making progress in power efficiency. The TDP values ​​declared for new products remained at the usual values ​​for quad-core processors. The older overclockable processor belongs to the 91-watt thermal package and, by the way, comes without a cooler in the kit. For the younger Core i3-8100, the estimated heat dissipation is 65 W, and in the boxed version it comes with a traditional Intel low-profile cooler, which is even devoid of a copper core.

The Corsair RM850i ​​digital power supply we use in the test system allows us to control the consumed and output electrical power, which is what we use for measurements. The graph below shows the total consumption of systems (without a monitor), measured immediately "after" the power supply, which is the sum of the power consumption of all components involved in the system. The efficiency of the power supply itself in this case is not taken into account.

When idle, Coffee Lake processors are more economical than all other modern alternatives. This generation of desktop chips finally has support for the C8 power-saving state, in which most Uncore circuits are powered off.

Under load in the form of 3D rendering, the situation is twofold. On the one hand, the Core i3-8100 turns out to be slightly more economical than the Core i5-7400, which is in good agreement with Intel's promises regarding the 14++ nm process technology. However, the Core i3-8350K no longer fits into this theory. This processor consumes more than the similar Core i5-7600K, and by a lot.

The marginal consumption under load with or without AVX instructions, which we model using the Prime95 utility, again indicates that Coffee Lakes are considered hot for a reason. But this applies primarily to models operating at high clock frequencies. As a result, a system based on the Core i3-8350K processor not only outperforms the same configuration with the Core i5-7600K, but also the assembly on AMD Ryzen quad-core processors.

Overclocking

One of the two processors that this review is dedicated to, the Core i3-8350K, is one of the overclocking models. This means that the multipliers in it are not locked, and it can be overclocked on motherboards based on the Intel Z370 chipset (and there are no other options compatible with Coffee Lake yet). This makes the Core i3-8350K very close to the Core i5-7600K, at least in theory. In practice, it all depends on how high-quality a copy of the processor gets in a particular case.

The Core i3-8350K sample we received for testing was not particularly successful. The high consumption of this processor turns into high heat dissipation, and temperatures during its operation even in normal mode reach 70-80 degrees. Naturally, the notorious Intel thermal paste under the lid is to blame for everything, replacing which with something more effective, as Coffee Lake scalping results show, allows you to win back 15-20 degrees in the temperature of processor cores in one fell swoop. But we did the testing without scalping, which voids the warranty, so the overclocking results were very far from the 5 GHz mark.

To squeeze a little more out of Coffee Lake is the function of forced multiplier reduction supported by these processors when AVX instructions are enabled. It is vector commands of this type that warm up the processor to maximum values, so overclocking using the AVX-offset function has become the standard for Coffee Lake processors.

In our case, when the supply voltage was increased to 1.3 V, the Core i3-8350K instance selected for testing freely passed any non-AVX tests at a frequency of 4.8 GHz.

However, in the case of an AVX load, this combination of frequency and voltage was not applicable: the processor instantly overheated and went into throttling. The situation was saved only by lowering the CPU frequency if 256-bit vector instructions were enabled up to 4.0 GHz via the UEFI BIOS parameter of the AVX Instruction Core Ratio Negative Offset motherboard. And this means that this mode is overclocking only for applications that do not use AVX, otherwise the frequency will be reset to the nominal state of the Core i3-8350K. But fortunately, AVX commands are used by only a few programs for creating or processing content. And, for example, 3D games in the vast majority do not use AVX.

Thus, the overclocking potential of Coffee Lake should not be overestimated. These processors are capable of operating at approximately the same frequencies as similar Kaby Lake processors. The improved technological process has changed almost nothing. And it is likely that the reason for the lack of noticeable progress lies in the very internal thermal interface that Intel continues to use under the processor cover, despite serious criticism from the community. Frequencies during overclocking are held back not by the potential of the semiconductor crystal, but by overshooting temperatures.

conclusions

All in all, Coffee Lake processors are a pretty interesting offering from the microprocessor giant. However, you need to understand that their attractiveness is fueled not by some microarchitectural solutions and unimproved frequency potential. It's all about the computing cores: Intel has generously increased their number, without changing the price positioning of the CPU, and as a result, the performance level within each processor family has increased by double-digit percentages at once. For example, in the Core i3 lineup, the performance increase of Coffee Lake compared to Kaby Lake was about 40 percent, which, against the background of the usual slow progress of Intel's offerings, looks like a giant step forward. However, even this does not make the considered Core i3-8350K and Core i3-8100 unambiguously advantageous solutions in modern conditions.

Over the past year, the landscape in the processor market has changed dramatically. Intel's quad-core Core i3 can now be competed with by quad-core and hexa-core AMD Ryzen 5 processors. Formally, they have a higher price, but in reality, a full configuration on the Socket AM4 platform may be even cheaper. This is explained by two factors. Firstly, Coffee Lake is now in short supply, and therefore they are sold much more expensive than their official cost. Secondly, the necessary motherboards with the new version of the LGA 1151 processor socket are currently produced only on the basis of a single top-level Z370 logic set, which is why the most affordable of them are about twice as expensive as cheap Socket AM4 motherboards.

Another problem for the market position of the Core i3 is created by the lower processor in the more expensive series, the Core i5-8400. In terms of price, it almost overlaps with the Core i3-8350K, but the performance of the six-core Core i5 is noticeably higher. Yes, while the Core i3-8350K has a trump card in the form of overclocking, but the frequency potential of the representatives of the Coffee Lake series is seriously constrained by a problematic internal thermal interface and high heat generation generated by the execution of AVX instructions. As a result, the increase that can be added to the performance of the Core i3-8350K due to overclocking is likely to be not so significant. In addition, six-core processors are simply more promising.

The youngest novelty in the considered pair of chips, the Core i3-8100, looks more interesting in terms of the combination of consumer qualities. It is estimated by the manufacturer at only $120, but its performance level corresponds to the Core i5-7500. And this means that the Core i3-8100 can be a very attractive option, surpassing not only the old Core i3 and younger Core i5, but also brilliantly performing against competitor processors belonging to the Ryzen 3 family. But this thesis can be considered completely fair only after the availability of low-cost Coffee Lake-compatible motherboards, and this event, according to the latest data, will occur no earlier than March 2018.

Ultimately, in the considered pair of Core i3-8350K and Core i3-8100, a cheap processor may be of real interest, which, thanks to four full-fledged computing cores, will become a good basis for an affordable mid-range personal computer. The Core i3-8100 is quite productive in games and when processing digital content, heats up a little and looks decent against the background of the quad-core Ryzen 3 and Ryzen 5 processors. But you need to wait for cheap motherboards with a new version of the LGA 1151 connector.

Part two: "The most important features of each Intel Core i3/i5/i7 processor family. Which of these chips are of particular interest"

Introduction

First, we will highlight the most important features of each Intel Core i3/i5/i7 processor family, and then we will talk about which of these chips are of particular interest. For the convenience of readers, we considered it appropriate to present the information in the form of a kind of reference book, and to bring all the data on the current models of the model into small tables. The prices given by us are Russian retail prices, fixed at the time of publication of this material, for processors in a "boxed" configuration (that is, with a branded cooler).

Core i3

Core i3 (Clarkdale) is the latest generation dual-core processor designed for entry-level desktops. First introduced January 7, 2010. It is installed in the LGA1156 connector. Produced using 32nm technology.

Equipped with an integrated PCI Express 2.0 x16 controller, thanks to which the graphics accelerator can be connected directly to the processor. To connect to the system logic set, a DMI (Digital Media Interface) bus with a bandwidth of 2 GB/s is used.

The Core i3 processors have a 12-pipeline GMA HD graphics core clocked at 733MHz.

The base clock frequency for all Core i3 models is 133 MHz, the nominal frequencies are achieved using multipliers.

Compatible chipsets: Intel H55 Express, H57 Express, P55 Express, Q57 Express

Main technical parameters of Core i3

• Nehalem microarchitecture
• Two cores
• L3 cache - 4 MB, shared by all cores
• Integrated PCI Express 2.0 x16 controller
• Integrated 733 MHz graphics adapter
• SSE 4.2 instruction set
• AES-NIS instruction set

Core i5

Core i5 (Clarkdale or Lynnfield) is the latest generation dual or quad-core processor designed for mid-range desktops. First introduced September 8, 2009. It is installed in the LGA1156 connector. The dual-core Clarkdale is manufactured using 32nm technology, the quad-core Lynnfield is manufactured using 45nm technology.

Equipped with a built-in dual-channel DDR3-1066 / 1333 RAM controller with a voltage of up to 1.6 V. Modules designed for higher voltage will not work with this chip and may even damage it.

Equipped with an integrated PCI Express 2.0 x16 controller, thanks to which the graphics accelerator can be connected directly to the processor. In models with an integrated GMA HD graphics core, one video card in x16 mode can be connected to the chip, in models without integrated graphics, two video cards in x8 mode each.

To connect to the system logic set, a DMI (Digital Media Interface) bus with a bandwidth of 2 GB/s is used.

The dual-core models (6xx series) have a built-in GMA HD graphics adapter and Hyper-Threading technology, the quad-core models (7xx series) do not have graphics and Hyper-Threading. Models ending in 1 have a graphics clock speed of 900 MHz, models ending in 0 have a graphics core clocked at 733 MHz.

All Core i5s feature Turbo Boost technology for automatic overclocking in resource-intensive tasks.

The base clock frequency for all Core i5 models is 133 MHz, the nominal frequencies are achieved using multipliers.

Compatible chipsets: Intel H55 Express, H57 Express, P55 Express, Q57 Express.

Main technical parameters of Core i5

• Nehalem microarchitecture
• two or four cores
• L1 cache - 64 KB (32 KB data and 32 KB instructions) for each core
• L2 cache - 256 KB per core
• L3 cache - 4 or 8 MB, shared by all cores
• Built-in dual-channel DDR3-1066/1333 MHz RAM controller
• Integrated PCI Express 2.0 controller (one x16 lane or two x8 lanes on non-integrated graphics models)
• Integrated 733 or 900 MHz graphics adapter
• Support for VT virtualization technology
• Support for 64-bit Intel EM64T instructions
• Support for Hyper-Threading technology in dual-core models
• SSE 4.2 instruction set
• AES-NIS instruction set
• Antivirus Technology Execute Disable Bit
• Enhanced SpeedStep Dynamic Frequency Technology

Core i7

Core i7 (Bloomfield, Lynnfield, or Gulftown) is the latest generation of four or six-core processors designed for high-end desktops. First introduced in November 2008. Quad-core Bloomfield and Lynnfield are manufactured using 45nm technology, six-core Lynnfield - using 32nm technology.

Available in two versions: 9xx series (for LGA1366 connector) with built-in three-channel memory controller and QPI bus and 8xx series (for LGA1156 connector) with dual-channel memory controller, built-in PCI Express 2.0 controller and DMI bus) DDR3-1066/1333 RAM is supported with voltages up to 1.6 V. Modules rated for higher voltages will not work with this chip and may even damage it.

Processors for the LGA1366 socket are equipped with a high-speed QPI bus operating at a frequency of 2.4 GHz (up to 4.8 GB / s) in regular i7 and at a frequency of 3.2 GHz (6.4 GB / s) in Extreme modifications (these include i7-965, i7-975 and i7-980X.

Chips for the LGA1156 connector are equipped with an integrated PCI Express 2.0 x16 controller, thanks to which the graphics accelerator can be connected directly to the processor. To connect with a set of system logic, a DMI (Digital Media Interface) bus with a bandwidth of 2 GB / s is used here.

All Core i7s feature Turbo Boost automatic overclocking technology for resource-intensive tasks, as well as Hyper-Threading technology.

The base clock frequency for all Core i7 models is 133 MHz, the nominal frequencies are achieved using multipliers. In modifications of Core i7 Extreme, the multiplier is unlocked, which allows you to freely increase the clock speed of the processor.

Compatible chipsets: 8xx series - Intel H55 Express, H57 Express, P55 Express, Q57 Express, 9xx series - Intel X58 Express.

Main technical parameters of Core i7

• Nehalem microarchitecture
• Four or six cores
• L1 cache - 64 KB (32 KB data and 32 KB instructions) for each core
• L2 cache - 256 KB per core
• L3 Cache - 8 or 12 MB shared between all cores
• Built-in dual-channel (LGA1156) or triple-channel (LGA1366) DDR3-1066/1333 MHz RAM controller
• QPI bus running at 2.4 GHz (4.8 GB/s) or 3.2 GHz (6.4 GB/s) on LGA1366 models
• DMI bus (2 GB/s) on models for LGA1156
• Integrated PCI Express 2.0 controller (one x16 lane or two x8 lanes on non-integrated graphics models) on LGA1156 models
• Support for VT virtualization technology
• Support for 64-bit Intel EM64T instructions
• Support for Hyper-Threading Technology
• Support for Turbo Boost Technology
• SSE 4.2 instruction set
• AES-NIS instruction set for the i7-980X model
• Antivirus Technology Execute Disable Bit
• Enhanced SpeedStep Dynamic Frequency Technology

What to choose?

The Core i3-530 and 540 processors are quite powerful and inexpensive chips, and the difference in price between them is negligible, so there is no point in getting a 530 unless you are on a tight budget.

The Core i3 series chips are direct competitors to the previous generation Core 2 Duo Exxx processors: they cost about the same and provide a comparable level of performance, although somewhat faster. However, while LGA1156 motherboards are more expensive than LGA775 motherboards, buying an i3 chip is a smarter long-term investment than a Core 2 Duo because these processors are not only fast enough today, but can be swapped out for any LGA1156 chip in the future. - even on the super powerful Core i7. If the i3-530 is too expensive for you, you can pay attention to the Pentium G6950 ("boxed" version complete with a standard cooler will cost about 3200 rubles), which is slower than both "three" cards, but practically does not concede to most Core 2 Duo.

As for the quad-core Core 2 Quad, which are slightly more expensive than the dual-core Core i3 (for example, the "boxed" Core 2 Quad Q8300 costs about 5,000 rubles), then buying them today only makes sense to upgrade an existing system to an LGA775 socket - in this case it is very reasonable choice.

All 600-series Core i5 processors are high performance, but if you do not need a chip with integrated graphics, there is not much point in buying a model in this family. These models are rather focused on the corporate market - an office computer does not need powerful graphics, and the simpler it is, the more convenient it is to maintain.

For the same money that they ask for chips of the 600th family, it is better to purchase a quad-core i5-750 - this is an ideal choice for building a powerful home PC for a reasonable price. If you make a choice within the 600 series, you should know that the 661 differs from the 660 only in slightly faster integrated graphics, but at the same time with increased power consumption and the lack of hardware support for VT-d I / O virtualization, which is relevant only for corporate users. In other words, if you are buying a CPU for a home computer, it makes sense to prefer the Core i5-661.

For building a powerful gaming PC, the best choice in terms of price / performance is the Core i7-860, all other options will cost significantly more, since you will need a more expensive motherboard based on the X58 Express chipset for the LGA1366 socket.

The six-core "extreme" Core i7-980X is an unsurpassed leader in performance not only for the entire modern line of Intel desktop processors, but also for competing AMD models. Therefore, do not be surprised that a system based on it will cost a rather impressive amount. Fans of the very best can prepare their wallets - this chip is about to appear on the shelves of Russian stores, replacing the previous flagship Core i7-975

Intel was founded in 1968 by chemist Gordon Moore. He was assisted in his endeavors by his colleague Robert Noyce, who was engaged in applied physics. The head office of the company is located in California, USA. The first developments of "Intel" concerned the production of microcircuits. Already in 1969, they managed to release a prototype 3101. This microcircuit had insignificant indicators of RAM. However, the new 3301 series was soon released, which had a good amount of memory.

The advent of processors

The Intel processor was first seen in 1971. It just cost a lot of money. Starting in 1975, Robert Noyce began developing microprocessors of the 4004 series. Intel made a serious step in 1989. The new model was distinguished by a large memory and frequency. The whole secret was in an additional math coprocessor. The first dual-conveyor device for personal computers was invented in 1993. Processors "Pentium" began to be produced only in 2000. Their clock frequency was at the level of 2 GHz. In turn, the Intel Core series went on sale in 2006. She had two physical cores.

What are the benefits of Intel processors?

First of all, it should be noted a large number of contacts. Additionally, Intel processors are famous for their high internal frequency. At the same time, data buses have an indicator of 5 GE / s. The L1 cache is 64 KB on average. The TDP power is also high. Anti-virus protection technology is installed in almost all models. There is an energy saving system. The possibility of work on EM64T is provided. HD Graphics 4400 series integrated graphics.

Cons of processors

Among the minuses, many note the poor performance of the cooler. Thus, cooling does not take place properly. As a result, the processor quickly overheats and may fail. Also, many owners complain about the small functional part. Not all memory types are supported. It all depends on the dual-channel controller built into the processor. There are also some problems with RAM. In some models, it is extremely small, and this is felt when the device is fully loaded.

Model Intel Core i3-4130

This Intel Core i3-4130 processor has 1150 pins. Moreover, the connector type is "Socket". The internal clock frequency is at around 3700 MHz. The data bus parameter is 5 GT/s. Additionally, it should be noted that this dual-core processor has a good amount of cache memory. At the first level - 32 Kb. Integrated graphics in this model is provided by the manufacturer. The power of the TDP device is 54W. Energy saving system installed. Among other things, it should be noted good anti-virus protection. The cost of this model is 12,000 rubles.

What is the difference between the Intel Core i3-2120?

Compared with the previous model, the Intel Core i3-2120 processor features a large number of pins. The connector type, in turn, is also available and also "Socket". Among the shortcomings, the lack of an unlocked multiplier can be noted. The internal clock frequency is at around 3300 MHz. The data bus frequency is 5 GT/s.

The amount of cache memory is the same as in the previous model. Integrated graphics are provided by the manufacturer. Core type - "Sandy" series. The TDP power is higher than the previous model, and is at the level of 65W. 64-bit technology is available. Antivirus system - "Disable". The cost of this processor model is 7000 rubles.

Intel Core i3-4160: specifications and reviews

This Intel Core i3 processor has good reviews. Many buyers liked this model for supporting the Graphics HD 4400 graphics system. At the same time, the characteristics of this processor are very good. The number of contacts is 1150. The frequency parameter is at around 3600 MHz. There is no unlocked multiplier. It should also be taken into account that the processor has a good cache memory. At the third level, it is equal to as much as 3 MB. Integrated graphics in this model is provided. The core in this processor is of the Haswell type. Among other things, it should be noted a good energy saving system. This model will cost about 9,000 rubles on the market.

Specifications Intel Core i3-3250

These Intel Core i3 processors differ in good performance from others. In many ways, this was achieved by specialists by lowering the heat release rate. The number of processor contacts is 1155. The connector type in the model is "Socket". The clock frequency of the device is at around 3500 MHz. The amount of cache memory does not differ from other models. Support for integrated graphics is available. The TDP power in this model is 55W. The core in the processor is installed in the Bridge series. The technology to ensure 64-bit operation is provided. The price for this processor is 9000 rubles.

What is the difference between the Intel Core i3-3220?

This Intel Core i3-3220 processor is capable of supporting multiple graphics cards. At the same time, it works absolutely silently and at high speed. Anti-virus protection - "Disable" class. At the same time, there is a technology for 64-bit operation. Separately, mention should be made of the new energy-saving system. The cores are installed in the "Bridge" series. At the same time, the TDP power is at around 55 watts. Integrated graphics in this model is provided. The amount of cache memory at the third level is 3 MB. The data bus frequency is at around 5 GT/s. Clock update rate - 3300 MTsg. The total number of contacts is 1155. This model will cost about 9000 rubles on the market.

Reviews about Intel Core i3-4150

Many people fell in love with this Intel Core i3 CPU 4150 processor for its high clock speed. All this allows owners to play many modern games. In this case, fps will be very small. Additionally, this makes it possible to work with different programs. The quality of this model will be appreciated by people who work, for example, with video editors. Among other things, a good TDP power should be noted. The core in the processor is used by the Nasvel class. The amount of cache memory at the second level is 256 KB. The data bus frequency is 5 GT/s. There is no unlocked multiplier in this model. The connector in the processor is provided by "Socket". The cost of this device on the market is approximately 9600 rubles.

Model Intel Core i3-3240

This Intel Core i3-3240 processor is an excellent choice in terms of price / quality. The temperature in the system is maintained within normal limits. The number of contacts is 1155. At the same time, the internal clock frequency is at around 3400 MHz. The data bus rate, in turn, is 5 GT/s. Among other things, we should highlight the good memory of the device. Integrated graphics in this model is provided by the manufacturer. There is also a 64-bit technology. In general, it is more expedient to install these processors on office personal computers. The cost of this model in the market is 7200 rubles.

What are the specifications of the Intel Core i3-4330?

This Intel Core i3 processor has good characteristics. The TDP power in this model is 54W. The core in the processor is installed in the class "Haswell". Energy-saving technology in the device is available. It should also be noted a reliable system of protection. Integrated graphics are provided and support many formats. The first level cache is 32 KB. The data bus frequency is standard 5 Gt/s. In this case, the clock frequency parameter is 3500 MHz. In general, this model can be described as simple and economical. It will cost the buyer an average of about 10,000 rubles.

Comparison of the Intel Core i3-4340 model with analogues

These Intel Core i3 processors are more suitable for gamers. To do this, manufacturers have provided a high clock rate. The graphics system is powerful. As a result, the picture on the screen is very clear and high quality. For office programs, this processor is also ideal. A wide variety of memory standards are supported. The number of contacts is 11,500.

There is no unlocked multiplier. The type of connector in this model is "Socket". The bus parameter is 5 GT/s and the amount of cache memory is quite impressive. Among other things, we should highlight the good performance of the system. The DPI power limit is 54W. Also, do not forget about the technology of 64-bit operation. The cost of this processor on the market is 10,200 rubles.

Model Intel Core i3-4130T

The power consumption of these Intel Core i3 processors is 35 watts. At the same time, the technical process takes place over 22 nm. The number of threads in the processor is 4. The maximum amount of memory in this case is 32 GB. However, this setting can vary greatly. Much in this situation depends on the configuration of the device. The memory type, in turn, is provided by DDR3.

The base frequency of the graphics core is at around 200 MHz. In this case, the maximum values ​​sometimes reach 1.15 GHz. The ability to support three displays is available. The critical temperature for this processor is 72 ° C. In general, the device can be described as productive. It will work most effectively in conjunction with the Zalman cooler. You can also consider some models of "Dipkul". The cost of this processor on the market is 9300 rubles.

Review Intel Core i3-4350

This Intel Core i3 processor has good characteristics. This model is designed to work with office applications. There is a special visualization system for this. In general, this processor is fast and silent. Electricity consumption, in turn, is quite low. Data protection is set to secure. Thanks to this processor, you can also surf the Internet with confidence. If we talk about the characteristics, then the number of contacts is 1150.

The internal clock frequency is at 3600 MHz. Among other things, a good data bus should be highlighted. The amount of cache memory at the third level is a record 4 MB. Integrated graphics installed Intel 4000. At the same time, the cores are of the Haswell class. This model will cost about 9900 rubles on the market.

Summarizing

Summing up, for office computers, we can advise the Intel Core i3-4330 processor. At the same time, each core of the device is capable of performing two tasks simultaneously. The graphics system "Intel 400" is supported, so working with applications is quite comfortable. All tasks will be calculated as soon as possible. There is also an opportunity to work on the Internet. To do this, manufacturers have provided a good indicator of DPI power. At the same time, different video cards can be installed on a personal computer.

For home use, it is better to choose an Intel Core i3-4130 processor. This model has a data visualization system. With this in mind, you can watch movies in high resolution. Also, this model allows you to play many computer games. At the same time, the quality of the graphics will be quite high. Processing all the data will not take much time. The amount of memory in the processor is also impressive. With a small load on the system, the temperature is able to stay at a normal level. If there are any problems, you can always purchase an additional cooler.

For real gamers, Intel Core i3-4340 processors are most suitable. The maximum power in this model is quite high. Also, manufacturers took care of the cooling system. All computer data is protected. There is a high frequency for the graphic component. Integrated graphics installed "Intel 4000". In general, the processor may be of interest to many designers. This modification allows you to work with editors at very high speeds.

Modern central processors are not easy to understand even for a specialist: many different models are produced, and their names seem to be specially designed to confuse the buyer.

And if a lot has been written about the Core and Core 2 series for almost five years since their appearance, then there is practically no systematized information about the chips of the three latest families Core i3, i5 and i7, addressed to the consumer, not to the expert.

What are the features of the architecture of new processors, differences from their predecessors?
Finally, why are they better than the still quite relevant Core 2 Duo and Quad?

All processors of the "i" family are based on the latest Nehalem microarchitecture, which replaced the Core at the end of 2008.
The architecture, named after one of the Indian tribes, is an evolutionary development of the Core and differs from it in several fundamental innovations: the placement of all cores on a single chip, an integrated two- or three-channel DDR3 RAM controller, QPI or DMI system buses that replaced the FSB, a cache -memory of the third level, common for all cores, as well as the possibility of embedding a graphics core in a chip.

Nehalem is the first to implement the SSE 4.2 instruction set, their power consumption is 30% less than Core counterparts with comparable performance.
In addition, Hyper-Threading technology has returned to the new chips, which makes it possible to present one physical core as two virtual ones.
The first Nehalem was produced using 45nm technology, and in 2010 a gradual transition to the 32nm process began.
To install processors, a motherboard with LGA1156 or LGA1366 connectors is required.

There are currently four types of desktop processors based on the Nehalem architecture, codenamed Bloomfield, Clarkdale, Gulftown, and Lynnfield.
Of these, Clarkdale are dual-core and manufactured using 32nm technology, Bloomfield and Lynnfield are quad-core and manufactured using 45nm process technology, and Gulftown are 32nm six-core chips.

The bulk of the dual-core i3 and i5 are Clarkdale, the quad-core i5s are Lynnfield, the quad-core i7s are Bloomfield and Lynnfield, and the six-core i7 (there's only one so far, that's the 980X) is Gulftown.

Block diagram of the Lynnfield processor

What is the difference between quad-core Bloomfield and Lynnfield?
First of all, Bloomfield has a built-in three-channel memory controller, and Lynnfield has a dual-channel one, which significantly affects the price.
Bloomfield implements a high-speed QPI system bus (25.6 Gb / s), which is used to communicate with the north bridge, which provides the PCI Express 2.0 interface, to which graphics accelerators are connected.