Intel Core "Kaby Lake" Desktop Processors First Wave Detailed

[btarunr]

Intel is reportedly planning launch its 7th generation Core "Kaby Lake" processors by Q4-2016. Its desktop variants, built in the existing LGA1151 package, will be the third Intel micro-architecture built on the 14 nm process (after "Skylake" and "Broadwell" architectures). With this generation, Intel is planning to sub-classify LGA1151 into three categories, to ensure people don't try to install higher-powered CPUs on low-power machines.

These are LGA1151-Standard Power; LGA1151-Low Power; and LGA1151-Ultra Low Power. These are defined by the TDP of the packages. Standard Power chips run at 95W TDP, Low Power at 65W TDP, and Ultra Low Power at 35W TDP. There could be motherboards and machines that, depending on their VRM setup, completely shut out Standard Power or even Low Power chips.

Among the Standard Power Core "Kaby Lake" chips are the Core i7-7700K and the Core i5-7600K. The two feature unlocked base-clock multipliers, and are targeted at PC enthusiasts. The i7-7700K leads the pack with 4.20 GHz clock-speed, a staggering 4.50 GHz Turbo Boost frequency, 8 MB of L3 cache, and HyperThreading enabling 8 logical CPUs. The i5-7600K features 3.80 GHz clocks with 4.00 GHz Turbo Boost, 6 MB of L3 cache, but as characteristic of Core i5 quad-core chips, it lacks HyperThreading.

The 65-Watt "Low Power" LGA1151 is made up of four SKUs, all of which are quad-core. Leading the pack is the i7-7700 (non-K). This chip features lower clock speeds than the i7-7700K, with 3.60 GHz and an unknown Turbo Boost frequency; HyperThreading, and 8 MB of L3 cache. It's the same story with the i5-7600, which features 3.50 GHz clocks, and 6 MB of L3 cache. The i5-7500 is clocked at 3.40 GHz, and the i5-7400 at 3.30 GHz. Thankfully, Intel isn't designing a sub-3 GHz part like the i5-6400 in this sub-category.

The 35-Watt "Ultra Low Power" lineup includes the quad-core Core i7-7700T, featuring 2.90 GHz clocks, 8 MB of L3 cache, and HyperThreading; Core i5-7600T with 2.60 GHz clocks and 6 MB L3 cache; and the Core i5-7500T, with 2.40 GHz clocks.



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[Nokiron]

Oh man, that's a surprisingly high frequency for the 7700K!

 

[hojnikb]

i5 6400 wasn't really that bad. Yeah, it had a low base clock, but unless you rammed the igpu and cpu full tilt, the core clock never drops below 3.1Ghz. Which is pretty decent for a budget quadcore.

 

[The Quim Reaper]

targeted at PC enthusiasts

..they'd come with more than 4 cores if they were targeted at enthusiasts you monopoly operating, price gouging douchebags.

 

[hojnikb]

..they'd come with more than 4 cores if they were targeted at enthusiasts you monopoly operating, price gouging douchebags.

Hello, 2011-3

 

[TheLostSwede]

Let's see if we get Nvidia grade price gauging on these ones...

 

[Caring1]

"Intel is planning to sub-classify LGA1151 into three categories, to ensure people don't try to install higher-powered CPUs on low-power machines."
That sounds like some top marketing bullshit right there!
More like they are going to have a three tiered price structure to maximize profits.

 

[RejZoR]

Hello, 2011-3

More like "Hello, LGA1366"

Also the 7700K is disappointing. It's basically 6700K. Probably few extra instructions and the turbo is now its baseclock. Wow, such evolution...

 

[hojnikb]

More like "Hello, LGA1366"

Also the 7700K is disappointing. It's basically 6700K. Probably few extra instructions and the turbo is now its baseclock. Wow, such evolution...

It's like that every generation though. A slight clock bump and a few % ipc increase. I really don't know what people expected.

 

[buggalugs]

These might be good, third CPU at 14 nm, better yields, might be a better overclocker

 

[Assimilator]

With this generation, Intel is planning to sub-classify LGA1151 into three categories, to ensure people don't try to install higher-powered CPUs on low-power machines.

...

There could be motherboards and machines that, depending on their VRM setup, completely shut out Standard Power or even Low Power chips.

These two statements contradict each other, I am hoping the first one is correct because the reverse doesn't make much sense.

 

[chaosmassive]

Let's see if we get Nvidia grade price gauging on these ones...

we get price gouging grade now?

Oh man, that's a surprisingly high frequency for the 7700K!

is that sarcasm ?

 

[Deeveo]

Nothing huge, but they definitely have done some optimizations to get those clockspeeds up. Especially if that is without bumping up the voltages. This is just a improved Skylake so can't really expect miracles.

 

[TheLostSwede]

we get price gouging grade now?

Yes, Nvidia took it to the extreme this time around. Intel has been quite good at it, so let's see if they follow Nvidia and let the 7700K retail for $500++

 

[Caring1]

I was almost impressed, until I realized they aren't Laptop CPU's, but Desktop.

 

[$ReaPeR$]

where are the i3's? also the TDP tiering is BS. Intel is just trying to maximize profit. hope AMD comes up with zen asap because this is getting crazier by the day..

 

[chaosmassive]

where are the i3's? also the TDP tiering is BS. Intel is just trying to maximize profit. hope AMD comes up with zen asap because this is getting crazier by the day..

If Zen able to output 90% performance of Skylake Haswell with 50% price of 6-8 cores CPU Intel, AMD is win.

 

[Nokiron]

is that sarcasm ?

No? Why would it be?

4.5Ghz turbo is pretty impressive considering the process.

 

[chaosmassive]

No? Why would it be?

4.5Ghz turbo is pretty impressive considering the process.

because, IMO +300 Mhz Turbo Clock compared to previous gen is hardly impressive.

 

[Nokiron]

because, IMO +300 Mhz Turbo Clock compared to previous gen is hardly impressive.

That's not the point though. It's the overall frequency that's impressive on a 14nm process.

It really shows how optimized the process has become. I only expected minor changes from Skylake.

 

[Basard]

Oh man, that's a surprisingly high frequency for the 7700K!

It is and it isn't, seeing as they've been (over)clocking that high for years now. If they overclock easily to at least 5.5Ghz I'll be impressed.

 

[noname00]

..they'd come with more than 4 cores if they were targeted at enthusiasts you monopoly operating, price gouging douchebags.

If you want 8 cores from Intel, you can always buy a FX-51/53/55/57 priced Core i7 6900K.

 

[Nokiron]

It is and it isn't, seeing as they've been (over)clocking that high for years now. If they overclock easily to at least 5.5Ghz I'll be impressed.

It is, but again that is not the point.
4Ghz has been and still is a huge barrier where frequency does not scale well unless you really push the voltages. Intel could not do that on the other processors because it raised the thermal requirements extremely high.

Now they are releasing processors with a stock frequency of 4,5Ghz and still fit it within that 95W TDP. That's impressive.

 

[qubit]

95W on the latest process and architecture sounds good. Performance is gonna be good to great and let's hope they overclock well.

If they can manage all this, then they may well make a worthwhile successor to Sandy Bridge.

 

[RejZoR]

It's like that every generation though. A slight clock bump and a few % ipc increase. I really don't know what people expected.

To be honest, nothing. Skylake was a huge disappointment by itself. First there were mentions of L4 eDRAM and then it turned out only few versions had it and even that only for graphics. Boooooring.