Processors in order. Development of AMD processor models

• 1. A little history
• 2. Pricing policy
• 3. Overclocking options
• 4. Processor for computer games
• 5. Final instructions

Every computer, no matter how it is used, is made up of identical basic components. The main element in any PC is the processor, which performs all computing operations, and the performance of this small part determines the performance of the system as a whole. Only two companies are fighting for leadership in the processor market, which we will talk about today and try to answer the age-old question - AMD or Intel, which is better?

A little history

Both companies began their journey in an era when computing machines took up entire rooms, and the concept personal computer just starting to come into fashion. The first in this field was Intel company, created in 1968 and became almost the only developer and manufacturer of processes. The brand's initial products were integrated circuits, but pretty soon the manufacturer focused only on processors. AMD was founded in 1969 and was initially aimed at the process market.

At that time, AMD processors became a product that appeared through active cooperation between two manufacturers. Intel's technical department supported the young competitor in every possible way and shared technologies and patents. After the company firmly found its feet, the manufacturers' paths diverged in different directions, and today the two global manufacturers collide with each other in every generation of processors.

Pricing policy

There are many solutions on the market, both from one manufacturer and from another. Taking the side of one company and completely abandoning the other is not so easy, because when choosing a processor you need to take into account many factors. To begin with, it is worth noting that both companies produce processors for all applications and for any budget:

• Office. Such processors have minimal technical characteristics and low cost, are designed to run office applications and are not designed for programs with high computing needs.
• Homemade. This type of process is usually more powerful than the office version, since it provides a performance reserve for casual gaming, but the cost of such an element is much higher.
• Gaming or professional. Computer games place certain demands on CPU power, and such a processor will cost a pretty penny.

If you are selecting a processor for work, then AMD offers inexpensive options for “stones” with good technical performance. The budget line from the manufacturer is characterized by low cost, excellent performance and reasonable energy consumption. However, Intel products, according to all experts, have a much higher power reserve. Thus, an AMD processor is excellent for a budget computer, but for work in resource-intensive applications, gaming and stable system operation in general, it is better to opt for Intel.

Overclocking options

Overclocking is a fairly popular way to increase the performance of a computer without the need to purchase additional hardware. However, for full overclocking, the processor must have a certain architecture and meet specific requirements.

If an Intel processor is better for gaming, then it is recommended to purchase an AMD processor for overclocking. Unlike its competitor, AMD has created processors that can operate at different clock speeds, which provides ample overclocking options. At the same time, you can overclock any processor from the line, but Intel allows you to experiment only with some models with the K index in the name. Other processors simply do not support overclocking and cannot change the clock speed.

For those who plan to overclock a PC platform, it is better to purchase AMD, which operates stably at any frequency. At the same time, this effect is supported by both expensive eight-core processors and budget options.

Processor for computer games

Fans of clear graphics definitely choose Intel Core i5 and i7. The latest models from this manufacturer have shown high performance in the most “heavy” games and do an excellent job of visualizing any picture. Such processors belong to the gaming category.

However, AMD is not giving up its position so easily. Not long ago, a solution appeared that is perfect for a budget gaming computer - six-core Ryzen 5 chipsets. The result is an inexpensive and quite productive working platform. Although the verdict still adheres to Intel products, which are recognized as the best solution for a gaming computer.

One of the main factors when choosing a processor for gaming is its energy efficiency. Traditionally, Intel processors are better optimized both in terms of power consumption and operating temperatures. Therefore, if you do not want your computer to “heat like a stove,” it is better to join the blue camp, or save on the processor and take AMD, but additionally buy a powerful cooling system.

Final instructions

In 2019, both companies will introduce a new generation of processors that will have more advanced characteristics. On at the moment, the best choice for home computer In terms of price/quality ratio, there are two processors - Intel Core i5 and AMD Ryzen 5 1600.

Both stones have approximately the same parameters, but there are several very obvious differences:

• Both stones have the same number of cores, but in the case of AMD there is the notorious possibility of fairly simple overclocking. Therefore, it will be better suited for the future, and Intel will work more stable.
• Specific RAM format. An AMD processor reaches its full potential if it has a certain RAM frequency, which can create some difficulties. The Intel processor is much more interesting in this regard, because it does not create such strict restrictions.
• An Intel processor heats up much less, meaning you don’t have to spend additional money on organizing a cooling system. AMD gets quite hot and you will have to purchase a powerful cooler for it.

In any case, offers from all manufacturers have their own advantages and are tailored to meet specific tasks. If you are forced to stick to a strict budget, AMD offers an excellent line of inexpensive processors. In the case when you want to build a computer that can cope with any task, then Intel products have not yet been developed better for this purpose.

The question of which processor is better than AMD or Intel does not have a clear answer, because each component has a number of specific parameters and the choice of one or another option should be based on the purpose of the PC itself. An effective platform will demonstrate high performance only with the correct selection of all components that will enhance each other's performance.

One day, a great sage in captain's uniform said that a computer would not be able to work without a processor. Since then, everyone has considered it their duty to find the very processor that will make their system fly like a fighter.

From this article you will learn:

Since we simply cannot cover all the chips known to science, we want to focus on one interesting family of the Intelovich family - Core i5. They have very interesting characteristics and good performance.

Why this series and not i3 or i7? It's simple: excellent potential without overpaying for unnecessary instructions, which the seventh line suffers from. And there are more cores than in the Core i3. It’s quite natural for you to start arguing about support and find yourself partially right, but 4 physical cores can do much more than 2+2 virtual ones.

History of the series

Today on our agenda is a comparison of Intel Core i5 processors of different generations. Here I would like to touch upon such pressing topics as the thermal package and the presence of solder under the lid. And if we’re in the mood, we’ll also push particularly interesting stones together. So, let's go.

I would like to start with the fact that only desktop processors will be considered, and not options for a laptop. There will be a comparison of mobile chips, but another time.

The release frequency table looks like this:

2009

The first representatives of the series were released back in 2009. They were created on 2 different architectures: Nehalem (45 nm) and Westmere (32 nm). The most striking representatives of the line are the i5-750 (4x2.8 GHz) and i5-655K (3.2 GHz). The latter additionally had an unlocked multiplier and the ability to overclock, which indicated its high performance in games and more.

The differences between the architectures lie in the fact that Westmare are built according to 32 nm process standards and have 2nd generation gates. And they have less energy consumption.

2011

This year saw the release of the second generation of processors – Sandy Bridge. Their distinctive feature became the presence of a built-in Intel HD 2000 video core.

Among the abundance of i5-2xxx models, I would especially like to highlight the CPU with the 2500K index. At one time, it created a real sensation among gamers and enthusiasts, combining a high frequency of 3.2 GHz with support Turbo Boost and low cost. And yes, under the cover there was solder, not thermal paste, which additionally contributed to the high-quality acceleration of the stone without consequences.

2012

Ivy Bridge debuts with 22nm process technology, more high frequencies, new DDR3, DDR3L and PCI-E 3.0 controllers, as well as USB 3.0 support (but only for i7).

Integrated graphics have evolved to Intel HD 4000.

The most interesting solution on this platform was the Core i5-3570K with an unlocked multiplier and a frequency of up to 3.8 GHz in boost.

2013

The Haswell generation did not bring anything supernatural except for the new LGA 1150 socket, the AVX 2.0 instruction set and the new HD 4600 graphics. In fact, the entire emphasis was placed on energy saving, which the company managed to achieve.

But the fly in the ointment is the replacement of solder with a thermal interface, which greatly reduced the overclocking potential of the top-end i5-4670K (and its updated version 4690K from the Haswell Refresh line).

2015

Essentially this is the same Haswell, transferred to 14 nm architecture.

2016

The sixth iteration, under the name Skylake, introduced an updated LGA 1151 socket, support for DDR4 RAM, 9th generation IGP, AVX 3.2 and SATA Express instructions.

Among the processors, it is worth highlighting the i5-6600K and 6400T. The first was loved for its high frequencies and unlocked multiplier, and the second for its low cost and extremely low heat dissipation of 35 W despite Turbo Boost support.

2017

The Kaby Lake era is the most controversial because it brought absolutely nothing new to the desktop processor segment except native support for USB 3.1. Also, these stones completely refuse to run on Windows 7, 8 and 8.1, not to mention older versions.

The socket remains the same - LGA 1151. And the set of interesting processors has not changed - 7600K and 7400T. The reasons for people's love are the same as for Skylake.

2018

Goffee Lake processors are fundamentally different from their predecessors. Four cores have been replaced by 6, which previously only the top versions of the i7 X series could afford. The L3 cache size was increased to 9 MB, and the thermal package in most cases does not exceed 65 W.

Of the entire collection, the i5-8600K model is considered the most interesting for its ability to overclock up to 4.3 GHz (though only 1 core). However, the public prefers the i5-8400 as the cheapest entry ticket.

Instead of results

If we were asked what we would offer to the lion's share of gamers, we would say without hesitation that the i5-8400. The advantages are obvious:

• cost below 190$
• 6 full physical cores;
• frequency up to 4 GHz in Turbo Boost
• heat package 65 W
• complete fan.

Additionally, you don’t have to select a “specific” RAM, as for the Ryzen 1600 (the main competitor, by the way), and even the cores themselves in Intel. You lose additional virtual streams, but practice shows that in games they only reduce FPS without introducing certain adjustments to the gameplay.

By the way, if you don’t know where to buy, I recommend paying attention to some very popular and serious online store– at the same time you can find your way around the prices for i5 8400, periodically I buy various gadgets here myself.

In any case, it's up to you. Until next time, don't forget to subscribe to the blog.

And another piece of news for those keeping track (solid state drives) is that this rarely happens.

Intel is one of the two most popular companies developing processors for laptops and computers. Many gamers and other users consider this company to be the best and prefer its products. But Intel has a fairly wide range of models. So, figuring out which processor is best for which computer is sometimes not so easy. To make it easier for customers to navigate the wide range of offers from the manufacturer, we have created a rating of Intel processors. With it you can easily choose the processor to suit your taste.

No. 10 – Intel Pentium G4400

Price: 5745 rubles

And our top chipset begins, called Intel Pentium The G4400 is an excellent option for budget personal computers.

This processor is based on the Skylake architecture and consists of two cores clocked at 3.3 GHz. Additional performance of the device is provided by cache memory, the volume of which here is 3072 KB.

The Pentium G4400 is also capable of image processing. There is a built-in SkylakeIntel HD Graphics 510 graphics processor. Of course, it cannot completely replace a full-fledged video card, but it is enough to perform simple tasks.

This model has a special controller that supports two-way data transfer between the processor and RAM.

This controller is capable of working with memory modules up to 64 GB. So there shouldn’t be any problems installing the required amount of RAM.

Intel Pentium G4400

No. 9 – Intel Pentium G4620

Price: 7085 rubles

The Intel Pentium G4620 is a dual-core processor with a clock frequency of 3700 MHz. It is developed using 14nm process technology. The basis of this device is the Kaby Lake architecture.

This model has the same cache memory - 3 MB, but the graphics processor here is slightly more powerful than the HD Graphics 630. Of course, if we compare the Pentium G4400 and G4620, then the latter option is better, but not much. It is unlikely that you will notice a significant difference in performance.

Nevertheless, the G4620 is an excellent processor, which, of course, is not suitable for professional gamers, but may well satisfy the needs of the average user or lover of playing old games.

In general, it will cope with new games, but there will be slowdowns, and it won’t be possible to set the settings to maximum. If this is not a problem for you, then the G4620 is worth taking. Otherwise, it’s better to take a closer look at more expensive models.

Intel Pentium G4620

No. 8 – Intel Core i3-8300

Price: 12955 rubles

Having finished with the budget segment, let's move on to entry-level processors. Intel Core i3-8300 is already a quad-core processor with a clock frequency of 3.7 GHz. The cache memory here is also twice as large – as much as 8 MB.

The Core i3-8300 comes with an excellent cooler, which is actually rare for powerful processors. Usually, when you really buy good processor, you definitely need to buy a cooling system for it, because the basic one, as a rule, is terribly insufficient to maintain normal working condition. But in this case, the box cooler copes with its task quite well.

The Core i3-8300 is a good processor that, in combination with an equally good video card, can handle most modern games.

In addition, it is sold for a meager price, considering all its advantages. So, if you need not the most powerful, but high-quality chipset, we recommend choosing the i3-8300.

Intel Core i3-8300

No. 7 – Intel Core i3-8350K

Price: 13100 rubles

Intel Core i3-8350K is an improved version of the previous model. He is just like basic version has four cores and 8 MB of cache, but its clock speed is 4 GHz.

This is a fairly high figure that is guaranteed to provide you with high performance. The main advantage of the Core i3-8350K over the Core i3-8300 is the unlocked multiplier.

That is, the processor can also be overclocked. Thus, the already high clock frequency of 4 GHz can be increased to 4.6 GHz. This is a pretty good overclocking for Intel processors.

The Intel Core i3-8350K maintains adequate temperatures well. When actively working with a computer, you are unlikely to heat it above 50 degrees, which is simply an excellent indicator.

Without a doubt, in the Intel model table, this is one of the best processors in terms of price and quality.

Intel Core i3-8350K

No. 6 – Intel Core i5-8400

Price: 16575 rubles

The golden mean in the company's lineup is occupied by Core i5 chipsets. It includes fairly current, but still affordable processors. We'll start our review with the Intel Core i5-8400.

It's a six-core processor clocked at just 2.8 GHz, but that's only in standard mode. In turbo boost, when maximum performance is required, it accelerates to 4 GHz. The cache memory here is 9 MB.

The i5-8400 processor is quite popular, because it has six ultra-fast cores and is sold at a very decent price compared to older models.

Overall, this is a more than decent processor. The only downside is that it has sudden temperature fluctuations, but usually it does not heat up above 61 degrees. This model is more than enough for any modern games.

Intel Core i5-8400

No. 5 – Intel Core i5-8600

Price: 18990 rubles

The improved sixth-generation Intel Core i5-8600 six-core processor has a significantly higher clock speed. The base frequency is 3.1 GHz, but in turbo mode this figure increases to 4.3 GHz. Otherwise, the technical specifications are the same.

The undoubted advantage of the Core i5-8600 is that in some cases its performance can be equal to even the newest processor models from Intel.

There is also very little heat generation, which is quite good for such a powerful chip. In short, the i5-8600 is an excellent representative of the mid-price segment that will provide you with maximum performance even in new games.

Intel Core i5-8600

No. 4 – Intel Core i5-9600K

Price: 21,750 rubles

The Intel Core i5-9600K, being the most advanced model in the line, has again advanced by increasing the clock frequency. Here this figure is 3.7 GHz. And when turbo mode is activated, the processor accelerates to an incredible 4.6 GHz.

Core i5-9600K is the best current processor from Intel today. Then there are models for those who are greedily trying to accumulate as much power as possible for the years to come.

If you use an i5-9600K and a good graphics card, enough RAM and other adequate technical specifications, you should not have any problems with performance in modern games.

Intel Core i5-9600K

No. 3 – Intel Core i7-8700K

Price: 23615 rubles

So we moved on to the most powerful Intel line - Core i7. We will begin our consideration with such a model as the Core i7-8700K. There are the same number of cores as in previous models - 6, and the maximum clock speed is the same.

But the i7-8700K has a significantly increased amount of cache memory - 12288 KB. Also, a more powerful graphics core HD Graphics 630 at 1200 MHz was installed here.

12 threads provide a significant power reserve, thanks to which the Intel Core i7-8700K will be relevant for many years to come. The fact that if you have the appropriate video card, all modern games will run even on ultra settings is probably not worth mentioning, this is already clear.

Intel Core i7-8700K

No. 2 – Intel Core i7-9700K

Price: 34299 rubles

The Intel Core i7-9700K processor is based on an architecture codenamed Coffee Lake-R. It has 8 cores and is created according to the 14 nm technical process standard. The clock frequency of the processor cores is 3.6 GHz, and the cache memory is 12 MB.

Essentially, the Core i7-9700K repeats the previous model, but already contains 8 cores and 16 threads, which further increases the processor's power reserves.

With such a processor, you can not only play, but stream modern games in good quality. There is also an unlocked multiplier and, as a result, the ability to overclock the cores.

The only problem is the very high price, but you have to pay a lot for the power.

Intel Core i7-9700K

No. 1 – Intel Core i9-7960X

Price: 113,030 rubles

Here we come to the first place where the Core i9-7960X is located - this is the best latest generation processor from Intel to date.

It costs three times more than the previous model, but this is more than justified, because there are as many as 16 cores operating at a clock frequency of 2.2 GHz. In turbo mode, it is possible to overclock the frequency to 4.2 GHz. It is supported by a 22 MB cache memory.

If you have a lot of money, you can buy this processor and not worry about your computer not being able to handle anything for many years to come. But if you only need modern games, you can choose something cheaper.

Intel Core i9-7960X

Above are the most best models processors from Intel. Among them, you can easily choose an option that will suit your needs and financial capabilities, because all the chips presented here are the best solutions for their price.

Assembling a computer can be a very difficult task, especially if you are not experienced in such tasks. There are a huge number of components that you can use, but it is important to choose components that are compatible with each other and will provide maximum performance.

The central processing unit is one of the most important components of a computer; it is here that all calculations are performed. It controls the operation of all other components, so it is important to choose the right one. At the moment, devices from two manufacturers are available to you: AMD or Intel processor. These companies create almost all the PC processors in the world. But they are quite different from each other. In this article we will look at how these processors differ so that you can choose which processor is better amd or intel in 2016.

Before we look at the detailed characteristics of the processor and technologies, let's go back to the roots and see how both companies started.

Intel appeared a little earlier than AMD, it was created by Robert Noyce and Gordon Moore in 1968. Initially, the company was engaged in the development of integrated circuits, then began producing processors. The first processor was the Intel 8008 model. Back in the 90s, the company became the largest processor manufacturer. And he still continues to invent and implement new technologies.

Oddly enough, AMD or Advanced Micro Devices was created with the support of Intel. The company was created a year later - in 1969 and its goal was to develop microcircuits for computers. At first, Intel supported AMD, for example, by providing licenses for the use of technologies, as well as financially, but then their relationship soured and the companies became direct competitors. Now let's move closer to the processors themselves and their characteristics.

Price and performance

Both Intel and AMD offer processors in a wide price range. But AMD processors are cheaper. The cheapest are AMD Sempron and Athlon, these dual-core A-series processors sell starting at $30. Dual core processor Intel Celeron G1820 is a little more expensive - $45. But this does not mean that AMD chips are definitely better. Intel is known to give better performance for the same price. You will get more powerful processor, if you select Celeron, Pentium or Core from Intel. If you compare amd and intel 2016, the former consume less energy, generate less heat, and higher performance is confirmed by many tests.

But there are a few exceptions to this rule; AMD sells quad-core processors for much less than Intel, for example, you can get the A6-5400K for just $45. If you're running software that needs a lot of cores but can't afford an Intel Core i5, then you'll be better off with AMD. The same is true for eight-core processors from the AMD FX series, which are much cheaper than Intel Core i7.

AMD chips also provide the best integrated graphics cards. For example, the AMD A10-7870K allows you to play most games in low detail and up to 1080p resolution. Of course, this is not a gaming card, but it outperforms all Intel HD Graphics cards, so if you want to game on a budget device, then AMD is a better choice.

CPU overclocking

Most processors have a fixed clock speed and it is set at a level that ensures that the processor will operate as stable and for a long time as possible. Users who want to get more performance overclock the processor by increasing its frequency.

AMD supports overclocking much better than Intel. You can overclock both cheap processors for $45 and more expensive ones for $100. As for Intel, here you can overclock processors of only one category - Pentium, for $70. It is well suited for this task, and from a base frequency of 3.2 GHz it can be overclocked to 4.5 GHz. AMD FX series processors with a frequency of 5 GHz support overclocking up to 13 GHz, although this requires special cooling.

Actually budget Intel processors are not intended for overclocking, but AMD ones are quite suitable. If you want to overclock, then AMD is a great choice. There are several high-end Intel chips, with eight or ten cores. They are much faster than AMD chips. But AMD has a lot of power headroom, so they dominate overclocking. You won't find anything faster for home use.

Gaming performance

Gaming is one of the most basic areas where a powerful processor is needed. AMD has several processors that come with an integrated ATI Radeon graphics card. They offer excellent value for money. Intel also has such solutions, but if you compare Intel and AMD processors, its performance is lower.

But there is one problem, AMD processors are not as fast as Intel, and if you compare AMD vs Intel, then Intel may perform better in heavy games. Intel Core i5 and i7 will perform much better in games if you use a good external graphics card. The difference between amd and intel processors is that Intel can produce 30-40 more frames per second.

Energy efficiency

The confrontation between AMD and Intel, or more precisely, AMD's attempts to keep up with Intel is much worse than it looks. Both companies are holding up well, but the processors need to consume a lot less power. Let's try to compare intel vs amd processors.

For example, the Intel Pentium G3258 consumes 53 Watts, and the A6-7400K from AMD consumes the same amount. However, in tests, Intel's chip is faster in many aspects, sometimes by a large margin. This means that the Intel chip will run faster while consuming less power, so the AMD will generate more heat and therefore produce more noise.

If the question is which processor is better amd or intel for a laptop, then energy efficiency is even more important because it directly affects battery life. Intel processors last longer, but Intel hasn't driven AMD out of the laptop market. AMD processors with integrated graphics are found on laptops over $500.

Conclusions

AMD and Intel have been battling it out for two decades, but in the last few years Intel has started to gain the upper hand. New Pentium processors have slowly replaced AMD at various price points.

If you have the budget, then Intel is obviously the best solution. This will remain true if your budget allows you to purchase an Intel Core i5. AMD can't compete with Intel on performance, at least not yet.

If your budget is small, then perhaps you should look towards AMD, here the loss in performance is compensated by an increase in the number of cores. Such processors handle some operations faster, for example, AMD encodes video faster.

If we compare Intel and Amd 2016 processors, Intel is more energy efficient and therefore produces less heat and noise. For a regular computer, these features are not so important, but for a laptop, efficiency is very important.

But all is not lost with AMD; in 2017, the company is going to release a new architecture - Zen. By available information she is very promising. If you still want to buy AMD, then you should wait for the release of Zen.

Thus, the Intel processor is better than AMD, but in some situations the latter can give excellent performance and outperform Intel. For operating room Linux systems The processor manufacturer doesn't really matter. This is exactly the component that is fully supported by the kernel. Which processor to choose AMD or Intel in 2016, in your opinion? Which is better amd or intel? Which one would you choose? Write in the comments!

To complete the video from 16 bits ago about Intel history vs AMD:

On January 3, the birthday of the company's founding father, Gordon Moore (he was born on January 3, 1929), Intel announced a family of new 7th generation Intel Core processors and new Intel 200 series chipsets. We had the opportunity to test Intel Core i7-7700 and Core i7-7700K processors and compare them with previous generation processors.

7th generation Intel Core processors

The new family of 7th generation Intel Core processors is known by the code name Kaby Lake, and these processors are a bit of a stretch. They, like the 6th generation Core processors, are manufactured using a 14-nanometer process technology and are based on the same processor microarchitecture.

Let us recall that earlier, before the release of Kaby Lake, Intel released its processors in accordance with the “Tick-Tock” algorithm: the processor microarchitecture changed every two years and the production process changed every two years. But the change in microarchitecture and technical process were shifted relative to each other by a year, so that once a year the technical process changed, then, a year later, the microarchitecture changed, then, again a year later, the technical process changed, etc. However, it would take a long time for the company to maintain such a fast pace I couldn’t and eventually abandoned this algorithm, replacing it with a three-year cycle. The first year is the introduction of a new technical process, the second year is the introduction of a new microarchitecture based on the existing technical process, and the third year is optimization. Thus, another year of optimization was added to Tick-Tock.

The 5th generation Intel Core processors, codenamed Broadwell, marked the transition to the 14-nanometer process ("Tick"). These were processors with Haswell microarchitecture (with minor improvements), but produced using the new 14-nanometer process technology. The 6th generation Intel Core processors, codenamed Skylake (“Tock”), were manufactured on the same 14nm process as Broadwell, but had a new microarchitecture. And the 7th generation Intel Core processors, codenamed Kaby Lake, are manufactured on the same 14nm process (albeit now designated "14+") and are based on the same Skylake microarchitecture, but it's all optimized and improved. What exactly optimization and What exactly improved - for now it is a mystery, shrouded in darkness. This review was written before the official announcement of the new processors, and Intel was unable to provide us with any official information, so there is still very little information about the new processors.

In general, it was not by chance that we remembered the birthday of Gordon Moore, who in 1968 together with Robert Noyce founded the Intel company, at the very beginning of the article. Over the years, many things have been attributed to this legendary man that he never said. At first, his prediction was elevated to the rank of a law (“Moore’s Law”), then this law became the fundamental plan for the development of microelectronics (a kind of analogue of the five-year plan for the development of the national economy of the USSR). However, Moore's law had to be rewritten and adjusted several times, since reality, unfortunately, cannot always be planned. Now we need to either rewrite Moore’s law once again, which, in general, is already ridiculous, or simply forget about this so-called law. Actually, that’s what Intel did: since it no longer works, they decided to slowly consign it to oblivion.

However, let's return to our new processors. It is officially known that the Kaby Lake processor family will include four separate series: S, H, U and Y. In addition, there will be an Intel Xeon series for workstations. Kaby Lake-Y processors aimed at tablets and thin laptops, as well as some models of Kaby Lake-U series processors for laptops, have already been announced earlier. And in early January, Intel introduced only some models of H- and S-series processors. The S-series processors, which have an LGA design and which we will talk about in this review, are aimed at desktop systems. Kaby Lake-S has an LGA1151 socket and is compatible with motherboards based on Intel 100 series chipsets and the new Intel 200 series chipsets. We do not know the release plan for Kaby Lake-S processors, but there is information that a total of 16 new models for desktop PCs are planned, which will traditionally comprise three families (Core i7/i5/i3). All Kaby Lake-S desktop processors will only use Intel HD Graphics 630 (codenamed Kaby Lake-GT2).

The Intel Core i7 family will consist of three processors: 7700K, 7700 and 7700T. All models in this family have 4 cores, support simultaneous processing of up to 8 threads (Hyper-Threading technology) and have an 8 MB L3 cache. The difference between them is power consumption and clock speed. In addition, the top model Core i7-7700K has an unlocked multiplier. Brief specifications for the 7th generation Intel Core i7 family processors are given below.

The Intel Core i5 family will consist of seven processors: 7600K, 7600, 7500, 7400, 7600T, 7500T and 7400T. All models in this family have 4 cores, but do not support Hyper-Threading technology. Their L3 cache size is 6 MB. The top model Core i5-7600K has an unlocked multiplier and a TDP of 91 W. The "T" models have a 35W TDP, while the regular models have a 65W TDP. Brief specifications for the 7th generation Intel Core i5 family of processors are given below.

The Intel Core i3 family will consist of six processors: 7350K, 7320, 7300, 7100, 7300T and 7100T. All models in this family have 2 cores and support Hyper-Threading technology. The letter “T” in the model name indicates that its TDP is 35 W. Now in the Intel Core i3 family there is also a model (Core i3-7350K) with an unlocked multiplier, the TDP of which is 60 W. Brief specifications for the 7th generation Intel Core i3 family processors are given below.

Intel 200 series chipsets

Along with the Kaby Lake-S processors, Intel also announced new Intel 200 series chipsets. More precisely, so far only the top-end Intel Z270 chipset has been presented, and the rest will be announced a little later. In total, the Intel 200 series chipset family will include five options (Q270, Q250, B250, H270, Z270) for desktop processors and three solutions (CM238, HM175, QM175) for mobile processors.

If we compare the family of new chipsets with the family of 100-series chipsets, then everything is obvious: Z270 is a new version of Z170, H270 replaces H170, Q270 replaces Q170, and Q250 and B250 chipsets replace Q150 and B150, respectively. The only chipset that has not been replaced is the H110. The 200 series does not have the H210 chipset or its equivalent. The positioning of the 200 series chipsets is exactly the same as the 100 series chipsets: the Q270 and Q250 are aimed at the enterprise market, the Z270 and H270 are aimed at consumer PCs, and the B250 is aimed at the SMB sector of the market. However, this positioning is very arbitrary, and motherboard manufacturers often have their own vision of chipset positioning.

So, what's new in the Intel 200 series chipsets and how are they better than the Intel 100 series chipsets? This is not an idle question, because Kaby Lake-S processors are also compatible with Intel 100 series chipsets. So is it worth buying a board based on the Intel Z270 if the board, for example, on the Intel Z170 chipset turns out to be cheaper (all other things being equal)? Alas, there is no need to say that Intel 200 series chipsets have serious advantages. Almost the only difference between the new chipsets and the old ones is a slightly increased number of HSIO ports (high-speed input/output ports) due to the addition of several PCIe 3.0 ports.

Next, we will look in detail at what and how much is added to each chipset, but for now we will briefly consider the features of the Intel 200 series chipsets as a whole, focusing on the top options, in which everything is implemented to the maximum.

Let's start with the fact that, like Intel 100-series chipsets, the new chipsets allow you to combine 16 PCIe 3.0 processor ports (PEG ports) to implement different PCIe slot options. For example, the Intel Z270 and Q270 chipsets (as well as their Intel Z170 and Q170 counterparts) allow you to combine 16 PEG processor ports in the following combinations: x16, x8/x8 or x8/x4/x4. The remaining chipsets (H270, B250 and Q250) only allow one possible combination PEG port distribution: x16. Intel 200 series chipsets also support dual-channel DDR4 or DDR3L memory. In addition, Intel 200 series chipsets support the ability to simultaneously connect up to three monitors to the processor graphics core (just like the 100 series chipsets).

As for the SATA and USB ports, nothing has changed here. The integrated SATA controller provides up to six SATA 6 Gb/s ports. Naturally, Intel RST (Rapid Storage Technology) technology is supported, which allows you to configure a SATA controller in RAID controller mode (though not on all chipsets) with support for levels 0, 1, 5 and 10. Intel RST technology is supported not only for SATA -ports, but also for drives with a PCIe interface (x4/x2, M.2 and SATA Express connectors). Perhaps, speaking about Intel RST technology, it makes sense to mention the new technology for creating Intel Optane drives, but in practice there is nothing to talk about here yet; there are no ready-made solutions yet. The top models of Intel 200 series chipsets support up to 14 USB ports, of which up to 10 ports can be USB 3.0, and the rest can be USB 2.0.

Like the Intel 100 series chipsets, the Intel 200 series chipsets support Flexible I/O technology, which allows you to configure high-speed input/output (HSIO) ports - PCIe, SATA and USB 3.0. Flexible I/O technology allows you to configure some HSIO ports as PCIe or USB 3.0 ports, and some HSIO ports as PCIe or SATA ports. Intel 200 series chipsets can provide a total of 30 high-speed I/O ports (Intel 100 series chipsets had 26 HSIO ports).

The first six high-speed ports (Port #1 - Port #6) are strictly fixed: these are USB ports 3.0. The next four high-speed ports of the chipset (Port #7 - Port #10) can be configured as either USB 3.0 ports or PCIe ports. Port #10 can also be used as a GbE network port, that is, a MAC controller for a gigabit network interface is built into the chipset itself, and a PHY controller (MAC controller in conjunction with a PHY controller form a full-fledged network controller) can only be connected to certain high-speed ports of the chipset. In particular, these can be Port #10, Port #11, Port #15, Port #18 and Port #19. Another 12 HSIO ports (Port #11 - Port #14, Port #17, Port #18, Port #25 - Port #30) are assigned to PCIe ports. Four more ports (Port #21 - Port #24) are configured as either PCIe ports or SATA 6 Gb/s ports. Port #15, Port #16 and Port #19, Port #20 have a special feature. They can be configured as either PCIe ports or SATA 6 Gb/s ports. The peculiarity is that one SATA 6 Gb/s port can be configured on either Port #15 or Port #19 (that is, it is the same SATA #0 port, which can be output to either Port #15 , or on Port #19). Likewise, another SATA 6 Gb/s port (SATA #1) is routed to either Port #16 or Port #20.

As a result, we get that in total the chipset can implement up to 10 USB 3.0 ports, up to 24 PCIe ports and up to 6 SATA 6 Gb/s ports. However, there is one more circumstance worth noting here. A maximum of 16 PCIe devices can be connected to these 20 PCIe ports at the same time. Under devices in in this case refers to controllers, connectors and slots. Connecting one PCIe device may require one, two, or four PCIe ports. For example, if we are talking about a PCI Express 3.0 x4 slot, then this is one PCIe device that requires 4 PCIe 3.0 ports to connect.

The distribution diagram of high-speed I/O ports for Intel 200 series chipsets is shown in the figure.

If we compare it with what was in the Intel 100-series chipsets, there are very few changes: four strictly fixed PCIe ports have been added (chipset HSIO ports Port #27 - Port #30), which can be used to combine Intel RST for PCIe Storage . Everything else, including the numbering of HSIO ports, remains unchanged. The distribution diagram of high-speed I/O ports for Intel 100 series chipsets is shown in the figure.

So far we have considered functionality new chipsets in general, without reference to specific models. Next, in pivot table, we present brief characteristics each Intel 200 series chipset.

And for comparison, here are brief characteristics of Intel 100 series chipsets.

The distribution diagram of high-speed I/O ports for five Intel 200 series chipsets is shown in the figure.

And for comparison, a similar diagram for five Intel 100 series chipsets:

And the last thing worth noting when talking about Intel 200 series chipsets: only the Intel Z270 chipset supports overclocking the processor and memory.

Now, after our express review of the new Kaby Lake-S processors and Intel 200 series chipsets, let's move on directly to testing the new products.

Performance Research

We were able to test two new products: the top-end Intel Core i7-7700K processor with an unlocked multiplier and the Intel Core i7-7700 processor. For testing we used a stand with the following configuration:

In addition, in order to be able to evaluate the performance of the new processors in relation to the performance of processors of previous generations, we also tested the Intel Core i7-6700K processor on the described bench.

Brief specifications of the tested processors are given in the table.

To evaluate performance, we used our new methodology using the iXBT Application Benchmark 2017 test package. The Intel Core i7-7700K processor was tested twice: with default settings and overclocked to 5 GHz. Overclocking was done by changing the multiplication factor.

The results are calculated from five runs of each test with a confidence level of 95%. Please note that the integral results in this case are normalized relative to the reference system, which also uses an Intel Core i7-6700K processor. However, the configuration of the reference system differs from the configuration of the test bench: the reference system uses an Asus Z170-WS motherboard based on the Intel Z170 chipset.

The test results are presented in the table and diagram.

If we compare the results of testing processors obtained at the same stand, then everything is very predictable. The Core i7-7700K processor at default settings (without overclocking) is slightly faster (7%) than the Core i7-7700, which is explained by the difference in their clock speed. Overclocking the Core i7-7700K processor to 5 GHz allows you to achieve a performance gain of up to 10% compared to the performance of this processor without overclocking. The Core i7-6700K processor (without overclocking) is slightly more powerful (by 4%) compared to the Core i7-7700 processor, which is also explained by the difference in their clock speed. At the same time, the Core i7-7700K model is 2.5% more productive than the previous generation Core i7-6700K model.

As you can see, the new 7th generation Intel Core processors do not provide any performance boost. Essentially, these are the same 6th generation Intel Core processors, but with slightly higher clock speeds. The only advantage of the new processors is that they race better (we are, of course, talking about K-series processors with unlocked multipliers). In particular, our copy of the Core i7-7700K processor, which we did not specifically select, overclocked to 5.0 GHz without any problems and worked absolutely stably when using air cooling. It was possible to run this processor at a frequency of 5.1 GHz, but the system froze in processor stress testing mode. Of course, it is incorrect to draw conclusions based on one processor instance, but information from our colleagues confirms that most Kaby Lake K-series processors race better than Skylake processors. Note that our sample Core i7-6700K processor was overclocked at best to a frequency of 4.9 GHz, but only worked stably at a frequency of 4.5 GHz.

Now let's look at the power consumption of processors. Let us remind you that we connect the measuring unit to the power supply circuit break between the power supply and motherboard- to the 24-pin (ATX) and 8-pin (EPS12V) power supply connectors. Our measurement unit is capable of measuring voltage and current on the 12 V, 5 V and 3.3 V rails of the ATX connector, as well as supply voltage and current on the 12 V rail of the EPS12V connector.

The total power consumption during the test refers to the power transmitted through the 12 V, 5 V and 3.3 V buses of the ATX connector and the 12 V bus of the EPS12V connector. The power consumed by the processor during the test refers to the power transmitted through the 12 V bus of the EPS12V connector (this connector is used only to power the processor). However, you need to keep in mind that in this case we are talking about the power consumption of the processor together with its supply voltage converter on the board. Naturally, the processor supply voltage regulator has a certain efficiency (definitely below 100%), so that part of the electrical energy is consumed by the regulator itself, and the real power consumed by the processor is slightly lower than the values ​​we measure.

The measurement results for total power consumption in all tests, with the exception of drive performance tests, are presented below:

Similar results for measuring processor power consumption are as follows:

Of interest, first of all, is a comparison of the power consumption of the Core i7-6700K and Core i7-7700K processors in operating mode without overclocking. The Core i7-6700K processor has lower power consumption, that is, the Core i7-7700K processor is slightly more powerful, but it also has higher power consumption. Moreover, if the integrated performance of the Core i7-7700K processor is 2.5% higher in comparison with the performance of the Core i7-6700K, then the average power consumption of the Core i7-7700K processor is as much as 17% higher!

And if we introduce such an indicator as energy efficiency, determined by the ratio of the integral performance indicator to the average power consumption (in fact, performance per watt of energy consumed), then for the Core i7-7700K processor this indicator will be 1.67 W -1, and for the processor Core i7-6700K - 1.91 W -1.

However, such results are obtained only if we compare the power consumption on the 12 V bus of the EPS12V connector. But if we consider the full power (which is more logical from the user’s point of view), then the situation is somewhat different. Then the energy efficiency of a system with a Core i7-7700K processor will be 1.28 W -1 , and with a Core i7-6700K processor - 1.24 W -1 . Thus, the energy efficiency of the systems is almost the same.

Conclusions

We have no disappointments with the new processors. Nobody promised, so to speak. Let us remind you once again that we are not talking about a new microarchitecture or a new technical process, but only about optimizing the microarchitecture and technological process, that is, about optimizing Skylake processors. Of course, one should not expect that such optimization can provide a significant increase in performance. The only observable result of the optimization is that it was possible to slightly increase the clock speeds. In addition, K-series processors from the Kaby Lake family overclock better than their Skylake family counterparts.

If we talk about the new generation of Intel 200 series chipsets, the only thing that distinguishes them from the Intel 100 series chipsets is the addition of four PCIe 3.0 ports. What does this mean for the user? And it means absolutely nothing. Expect an increase in the number of connectors and ports on motherboards there is no need, since there are already too many of them. As a result, the functionality of the boards will not change, except that it will be possible to simplify them a little when designing: there will be less need to come up with ingenious separation schemes to ensure the operation of all connectors, slots and controllers in conditions of a shortage of PCIe 3.0 lines/ports. It would be logical to assume that this will lead to a reduction in the cost of motherboards based on 200 series chipsets, but this is hard to believe.

And in conclusion, a few words about whether it makes sense to exchange an awl for soap. Change a computer based on a Skylake processor and a board with a 100-series chipset to new system with a Kaby Lake processor and a board with a 200 series chipset there is no point. This is just throwing money away. But if the time has come to change your computer due to obsolescence of the hardware, then, of course, it makes sense to pay attention to Kaby Lake and a board with a 200-series chipset, and you need to look first of all at the prices. If a Kaby Lake system turns out to be comparable (with equal functionality) in cost to a Skylake system (and a board with Intel chipset 100th episode), then it makes sense. If such a system turns out to be more expensive, then there is no point in it.