Product Description

Intel Core i7 Processor i7-920 2.66GHz 8MB LGA1366 CPU

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Product Details

• Brand: Intel
• Model: BX80601920
• Platform: Windows
• Format: CD
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: 7.75" h x 8.26" w x 25.00" l, 2.48 pounds
• Processors: 1

Features

• Intel Core i7-920
• 4.8 Intel QuickPath Interconnect
• 3 Channel Memory
• 8MB L3 Cache
• LGA-1366 package

From the Manufacturer
The Intel Core i7-920 processor combines the power of four 3.06 GHz computing cores into a single processor, guaranteeing enough processing power for the most demanding applications. With 8 MB of smart cache, the Core i7-920 processor ensures that you get maximum responsiveness from your system, even when several intensive programs run simultaneously. Compatible with motherboards based on the Intel X58 Express chipset, the Core i7-920 processor takes your computing and gaming experience to the next level.

Intel Core i7-920 Processor features: Four 2.66 GHz cores for better multitasking and multithreaded performance. 8 MB of smart cache. Integrated memory controller delivers higher memory bandwidth. Quick Path Interconnect provides fast data transfer between the processor and chipset.

With four cores in one processor, users will experience better multitasking and multithreaded performance.

The Intel Core i7-920 processor delivers unmatched performance for demanding tasks. View larger.

Powerful New Microarchitecture Eliminates Slowdown
The i7 family is Intel's flagship processor, and for good reason. With the i7 family, Intel engineers invented a revolutionary new style of microarchitecture. They replaced the front side bus -- a longtime staple of processor design -- with a new technology called QuickPath Interconnect (QPI). Using QPI, the i7-920 achieves unprecedented levels of bandwidth, and can use its four computing cores to their maximum potential.

To put it simply, users will enjoy faster and more streamlined processing than ever before. Your computer will handle multiple projects and applications without the slowdown you'd experience with a lesser processor.

Extremely intensive programs like high-definition media editors will run more smoothly and responsively. And you'll be able to experience next-generation games without frame-rate hiccups and slowdowns.

New Technologies Boost Performance
The Intel Core i7-920 processor also makes use of several other cutting-edge technologies:

• Turbo Boost Technology allows the processor to run up to 133 MHz faster when it's operating below power/thermal limits.
• Hyper-threading Technology enables more efficient use of processor resources, making the most of highly threaded software like media players and next-generation games.
• Smart Cache Memory increases available RAM resources, leading to less lag while multi-tasking.

Media Editing and Sharing Easier than Ever
Whether editing high-definition videos, touching up family photos, or splicing up music, the Intel Core i7-920 processor provides the processing power needed. The processor's four cores are optimized to keep up with the most advanced digital editing software. It also accelerates DVD encoding and compression, allowing you to easily share your HD home videos with everyone.

Unparalleled Gaming Performance
With the advent of next-generation games, PC gaming is more immersive than ever. The latest games take advantage of multi-threaded programming, allowing for more realistic graphics, physics, and artificial intelligence (AI). But you'll need more than just a good graphics card with high GPU output to fully experience all these effects. Underlying the visual realism and advanced AI scripts are thousands of high-speed calculations that your CPU must process.

Fortunately, Intel Core i7-920 processor is specifically designed to handle these calculations. Using multi-thread architecture, it has the ability to process thousands of graphical characteristics at once, resulting in a smooth and lag-free experience. Intel worked closely with CryTek -- the developers of the advanced game engine behind such games as Crysis and Far Cry -- to guarantee that gamers have an immersive and lifelike experience.

The Intel Core i7-920 processor is backed by a three-year limited warranty.

Intel Core i7-900 Processor Series
	Intel Core i7-975 Processor Extreme Edition	Intel Core i7-950 Processor	Intel Core i7-920 Processor
Processor Frequency	3.33 GHz	3.06 GHz	2.66 GHz
Intel Smart Cache	8 MB	8 MB	8 MB
Intel Turbo Boost Technology	Single-core performance up to 3.6 GHz	Single-core performance up to 3.33 GHz	Single-core performance up to 2.93 GHz
Number of Simultaneous Threads	8 (With Intel HT Technology)	8 (With Intel HT Technology)	8 (With Intel HT Technology)
Processor Integrated Memory Controller	Yes	Yes	Yes
Number of Memory Channels	3 (DDR3 1066 MHz)	3 (DDR3 1066 MHz)	3 (DDR3 1066 MHz)
Intel X58 Chipset Motherboard	DX58SO	DX58SO	DX58SO
Socket	LGA1366	LGA1366	LGA1366

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Customer Reviews

8-cores at a 4-core price: another fantastic CPU from Intel
I upgraded to the i7 from an Intel Core 2 Duo E8400. The main reasons I made the upgrade were:

1. Low power consumption (significantly lower than a Q6600 which is about $100 cheaper than the i7)
2. 8 logical cores available (quad core + hyper threading)
3. The ability to play cutting edge games that take advantage of all 8 cores.
4. The potential ability to load share between CPU & GPU once Windows 7 is released.

The upgrade might have been a bit premature, as the primary reason to buy an I7 processor won't be possible until Windows 7 is released. Windows 7 will allow load sharing between GPU (graphics card) and CPU. This will enable some really nice performance gains in games, or other graphic intensive applications like video editing software. Allegedly, games like Crysis will get a 20-30 percent performance increase. However, I heard that before when Windows stated that Vista would provide significant performance gains for DirectX10 games, which has not proved to be the case.

Regardless, the i7 920 is truly an amazing CPU. I've yet to experiment with overclocking much, but I do have it running at 3.12ghz stable and with a core temperature of 41C at idle and around 60C under load. I'll likely push things further in the coming weeks, and I'll give updates on temperatures and performance when I do.

Combining this card with two 4870hd 512mb graphics cards in Crossfire mode produced a 3DMark06 score of just over 19,000! That is a 5,000 point gain from my previous rig, and is in about the top 4% of all systems out there. That is pretty phenomenal performance. In Crysis with all settings at very high and DX10, I average over 50 frames at 1980x1200. This CPU is a gaming beast.

If you plan to overclock this card even a little, invest in an aftermarket heat sink and some Arctic Silver thermal compound. The heatsink provided with the retail package is small and ineffective at cooling an overclocked card. I recommend this Zalman Cpu Cooler for moderate overclocking. It is a very quite and very effective fan.

If your in the market for a 'future-proof' processor, this is a great option at a reasonable price point. The ceiling speed of processors is growing increasingly unimportant as multi-thread programing become the norm in both games and applications. You could spend a lot more for a higher GHZ CPU, but you're not really gaining as much performance as the jump from 2 to 4 cores, and then quad core to octo core. This processor will eat anything you throw at it and come back for more. Just make sure your mother board supports i7 chips before you buy one.

Very Satisfying
Pros:
It's my first build and coming from a Pentium 4 3.4 ghz in my Dell to this processor is simply amazing. I can now play Oblivion and L4D in the settings I want! Everything else it pretty much cuts through it like butter. It get a Windows 7 WEI of 7.6 3dmark Vantage CPU score P42500+ and I have it overclocked to 3.67 with blck of 184 vcore 1.225 with vdroop. Coupled with a Cooler Master V8 it's prime 95 stable (small ffts - 2 hours, large - 2 hours, blend - 9 hours) and LinX stable (max memory 10 runs) 75 degrees C max. Ambient 80 F

Cons:
None

Other thoughts:
If you are new to overclocking like I was here are some simple steps for a modest overclock:
WARNING: It is entirely possible to burn your CPU! Don't go crazy and set a high base clock from the start. Follow the steps!

1) download Realtemp.exe, cpu-z, prime 95, and LinX (google em)
2) go into your bios and increase the base clock by 5 (or 10 if impatient but remember my warning)
3) Load Windows and breath a sigh of relief if it does. But thats only 1/5 of the battle.
4) Run CPU-z to verify your overclock, close it then run realtemp.
5) Run LinX max memory, 3 runs. If it blue screens, restarts or errors then you've gone too far and you need to dial it down to keep your machine stable. Your last setting is your max overclock without adding vcore (cpu voltage).
6) If it passes with no errors and your max temps aren't above 85 C (some people use 80) then you're good, and you can add more base clock.
7) Go back to step 2 rinse and repeat.

8)Once you get to a speed you're happy with and it passes LinX, and is below 85 C, run prime 95 stress test for at least 6 hours of blend, 2 hours of small ffts, and 2 hours of large ffts. If it survives that then you're good for gaming and most everyday apps. If it survives p95 blend for 24 hours (no errors, < 85 C) then you're rock stable ready for mission critical or server work.

You can run Linx for more passes or folding@home SMP for further stability testing.

Finally don't expect much if you're using the heatsink that came with the processor.

Good luck. If I made a mistake somewhere please correct me in the comments.

BTW my motherboard is the EVGA X58 vanilla. The folks at the forums in their website are the most helpful and supportive folks you can find. Really thats the stuff that money can't buy, I strongly recommend their motherboards just for that. They have guides for more serious overclocks and guides explaining voltages, guides on optimizing Vista etc.

All the info about overclocking and stability testing comes from the stickied threads on the EVGA forums

It's a beast
Excellent performance; you will not be disappointed. The processor is highly overclockable - with a decent aftermarket cooling solution, it can easily be clocked over 4ghz. Even with the stock cooler, I was able to reach 3.3ghz with safe temperatures (fan at 100%) under normal usage (but prime95 stress test would push the temps a little too high at this speed). Even without overclocking, I noticed an improvement in speed and multitasking ability over my core 2 duo system. Highly recommended, particularly for those building a new rig. I use the core i7 primarily for gaming and general computing.

Cons - stock fan is somewhat loud to me even at low speeds, though I strive for silent computing. Invest in a quality aftermarket heatsink/fan (plus it will enable you to push performance well beyond the stock 940 at less expense).