Monday, June 15th 2009
Intel to Introduce Core i7 960 in Q4
A lot of controversy and uncertainty is surrounding the future of lower end Core i7 models. Recently surfaced information suggested that the company would phase out lower models of Core i7 to make room for higher Core i5 ones. The recently introduced Core i7 950, is already staring at its successor, which will displace it from its price point, and put in in line for being phased out, as early as in Q4 2009.
The Core i7 960 inherits a part of its specifications from the Core i7 965 Extreme Edition, which is now replaced by the 975 Extreme Edition. The i7 960 comes with a clock speed of 3.20 GHz, with a bus multiplier of 24 (24 x 133 MHz). Unlike the 965 Extreme Edition chip, the multiplier will be capped at 24x, and it will use a 4.8 GT/s QPI interface, unlike 6.4 GT/s for the 965. The rest of its specs remain standard. It comes with a triple-channel DDR3 memory interface, and 8 MB of L3 cache. It is expected to be priced at US $562, displacing the Core i7 950 from its range.
Source:
TechConnect Magazine
The Core i7 960 inherits a part of its specifications from the Core i7 965 Extreme Edition, which is now replaced by the 975 Extreme Edition. The i7 960 comes with a clock speed of 3.20 GHz, with a bus multiplier of 24 (24 x 133 MHz). Unlike the 965 Extreme Edition chip, the multiplier will be capped at 24x, and it will use a 4.8 GT/s QPI interface, unlike 6.4 GT/s for the 965. The rest of its specs remain standard. It comes with a triple-channel DDR3 memory interface, and 8 MB of L3 cache. It is expected to be priced at US $562, displacing the Core i7 950 from its range.
15 Comments on Intel to Introduce Core i7 960 in Q4
I wanna see benchies!!
So, I can't see the rationale for i7 anymore. It might be EOL'd sooner than we think. While the i7 is clearly better than the i5 for extreme OC'ing, as a market segment, it is too small to warrant an entire product line. Unless they get i7 to 6 or 8 core PLUS HTT, it hasn't got a consumer in 2010.
Honestly, if i7 is so expensive then how can i5 be cutting into the price range of it unless it is also expensive? Intel wants i5 to be the mass market CPU, so it really should not be touching the i7 market in terms of price or performance.
heartbrain, and isn't scrapping its lower end i7 lineup, an i7 930 (2.80 GHz) sounds very plausible.This new Intel move, just will create competition against its i7 brothers. I image everyone will just buy the not crippled i7 950 (or whatever it was) in the same price range and OC it. This will end up be the like the 920 and 940 relationship all over again.
I only hope they are planning on continuing this trend. Go Intel stupidity!
You only have AMD to blame because they are not offering an alternative to any i7 CPU. Everyone is buying the relatively speaking inexpensive 920, ignoring slightly faster but way more expensive alternatives, because the 920 will still outperform any AMD. So they aren't making so much money of the i7 lineup.
They realized that some high end i5's and some low end i7's might cross swords, and that's not good for business, so they will eliminate these gray areas.
While overclocked i5's will knock on the performance door of the i7, the rest of the platform might not satisfy you (only up to 2 way SLI/CF). So there is where the actual separation will happen. If all you want is a powerful CPU, the i5 will be the way to go. But if you want a powerful platform (3/4 way SLI/CF) then you'll have to get the i7.
Intel is only trying to get rid of the old Core 2 FSB based architecture. It actually makes a lot of sense. You just have to think about it taking into consideration a larger time frame. You are stuck at now, Intel is thinking about it's (and our) future.