pjp said:
It's getting closer to time for me to do upgrade also. Been trying to figure
out what though. For me, the confusion is all in the cpu chips, there seems
to be so many selections were-as last purcashe it was simple, e.g. 3.2Gz
beats 2.8Gz. About the only thing I've figured out so far is i3 is less than
i5 is less than i7 but how they match up against AMD (or whatever) requires
loads of research. The various flyers drive me nuts as every 2nd ad for a
computer (desktop or laptop) sports a different cpu. ARGH!!!!
Intel has shockingly bad taste in assembling processors for marketing purposes.
The marketing department demands "tiers" for products. Their efforts recently,
are more artificial than they normally are. I agree with the statement about
clock rate, as at least *that* was pretty easy to understand. To a large
extent, the following analysis is irrelevant (if you were blindfolded, knowing
the clock rate would probably be enough knowledge), but doing this
kind of analysis is fun for me
*******
If you look at this Core i3 (probably mobile, as this is a laptop article),
the processor has two silicon die in it. The article says the processor is 32nm
geometry, while the second chip is a "GPU plus memory controller" and is done
in 45nm geometry silicon. What that means, is when the processor wants to access
memory, it has to go through a chip to chip interface. That makes Intel chips
with integrated GPU, similar to LGA775 and Core2 systems. The GPU silicon die
is then equivalent to an old Northbridge, like a G45 perhaps.
http://hothardware.com/Reviews/Intel-Arrandale-Core-i5-and-Core-i3-Mobile-Unveiled/?page=4
Core2 ------ Northbridge ---------- dual_channel_memory
Core i3 --- (Internal GPU chip) --- dual_channel_memory
Processors without integrated GPU, have no choice but to have the memory controller
right on the processor. Some of the higher end processors are this way. All the
current AMD products work that way (AMD isn't quite as stupid).
Core --------------- rest of system
|
Dual_channel_memory
Intel chose to split the designs with integrated GPU into two pieces,
for reasons such as yield. They can test both parts, and then put them
into an MCM (multi-chip-module) package.
You can use ark.intel.com to sort the processors out, and see which ones
have built-in graphics. That will help sort out, which of them are
split like the one in the picture.
These Core i3 processors, all have integrated GPU. An integrated GPU helps
assemble low end computers, as cheaply as possible, as you don't have
to buy a video card. It means the motherboard ends up with one or
more video connectors, in the I/O plate area. If you use a processor
without a GPU inside it, then the video connectors in the I/O plate
area won't work. (Dell or HP wouldn't do that - but a home builder might.)
http://ark.intel.com/ProductCollection.aspx?familyId=43129
The ones at the top of the Core i5 list, don't have an integrated GPU, so they
use one chip, and the memory controller should be right on the processor. The
second link here, is supposed to be a picture of a Core i5-750. The "PCI-E"
on the right hand side, is how the video card connects to the PCI Express x16 slot -
the processor has the interface right on the silicon die. This is a decent
way to do things, yet eliminates one chip on the motherboard (the Northbridge).
http://ark.intel.com/ProductCollection.aspx?familyId=42912
http://img.hardcoreware.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/lynnfield-die-layout-560x342.jpg
If we look at the Core i7 list, the ones at the top are "true i7".
They have triple channel memory, versus the dual channel of the i3 or i5.
The Core i7-920 is the favorite of overclockers, because you can
buy a "cheap" processor, and get it running at the clock speed of
one of the faster ones. The LGA1366 socket is used with the true ones.
The extra pins help support the third channel of memory interface.
It also means, you need a different motherboard, depending on whether
the processor is LGA1156 or LGA1366 socket.
http://ark.intel.com/ProductCollection.aspx?familyId=28037
In this link, is a silicon die shot. In this case, instead of the
PCI Express interface being on the die, there is something called QPI,
and QPI is the "FSB" or "Front Side Bus". Such LGA1366 systems, need
a Northbridge, and the Northbridge has the PCI Express interfaces on it.
The Northbridge typically used, has at least two full video card interfaces,
for things like Crossfire video setups. The memory controller is right
on the processor, for a low latency interconnect to memory. So this
is the "Cadillac" at Intel.
http://www.tomshw.it/guides/hardware/cpu/20081103/images/Core-i7-test,8-2-164882-3.jpg
QPI DMI SATA
Core i7 (true) --------------- Northbridge -------- Southbridge -------- (disks)
| |
triple_channel_memory PCI Express to video
The lower items in the Core i7 listing, don't have the word QPI next to them.
It means those Core i7 come in LGA1156 packages, and have the PCI Express
interface on the side of the die, instead of QPI and LGA1366 package. So
they're like some of the better Core i5 processors (the ones without a GPU
chip). They'd look something like this (and I wish Intel would draw these
stupid pictures for me, so I don't have to make them up).
PCI Express to video
| DMI ? SATA
Core i7 (false) ----------------------------------- Southbridge -------- (disks)
|
dual_channel_memory
If we compare a Core i5-750 (no GPU, 2.66GHz, 4C, 4T) versus a
Core i7-870S (no GPU, 2.66GHz, 4C, 8T), the difference between them
is the Core i7 one has Hyperthreading, which is why it has 8 threads
instead of 4 threads (8T versus 4T). (The S on the end, means it is a
power saving version, so we can't compare prices directly. I wanted
to show there were two processors ostensibly identical in performance,
yet with different family names. Hyperthreading isn't always a big win.)
If I price compare, the Core i5-750 2.66GHz is $196. The Core i7-860 2.8GHz is $284.
And the puny difference in clock speed doesn't justify the higher price.
There is one other processor, of interest only because it has six cores,
instead of two or four. The price means this is only affordable to
enthusiasts. It's a true Core i7, with QPI. The second link shows
the extravagant use of silicon.
http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=47932&processor=i7-980X&spec-codes=SLBUZ
http://images.bit-tech.net/content_...7-980x-extreme-edition-review/gulftowndie.jpg
*******
In terms of future proofing, the number of cores you can buy (Intel or AMD),
range through 1,2,3,4,6 right now. Dual core makes sense, if you're primarily
a web surfer, and don't do multimedia (video editing, Photoshop). Buying
a quad core, leaves room for future performance improvement, as (presumably)
software developers make better usage of multiple cores. The hex core right
now, is almost suited to server usage, as it is hard to envisage a desktop
making cost effective use of it. I'm not certain how many applications
can load six cores equally and to 100% (Cinebench can, but then, it's pointless).
Buying a dual is good, if you value saving electricity over everything else.
Buying a quad is good, if you want the machine to last a few years. (At least,
as long as the clock rate choice isn't too low. There are a few quads that
are on the slow side, and you might not be happy with them five years from now.)
I've left AMD out of the picture, mainly because there is less to explain. They
all look more or less like this.
HyperTransport HyperTransport SATA
AMD_Core ------------------- Northbridge ------------------ Southbridge ------ (Disks)
| |
Dual_Channel_Memory PCI Express to video
You can use tomshardware.com/charts , to do processor benchmark comparisons.
Or, I like Xbitlabs.com and some of their comparison articles, to get a better
feeling for some of them.
*******
As for Adela, I had a quick look around, and I can't say I'm too impressed
with Dell or HP. (What is with all the crappy video cards offered for the
systems ? ) I liked some of the options offered by Gateway FX series.
But so far, this web page, shows the level of choice I'd be looking for
as a shopper. You can get almost anything you want here, including
an SSD for your boot drive. I'm not saying you should buy a computer
here, merely that I'm impressed with the level of choices offered.
http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/Rattler/
With the smaller companies, it helps to look at their rating. The Better
Business Bureau in their home town, may also have data on them, such
as unresolved complaints.
http://www.resellerratings.com/store/CyberPower
On my first PC, I chose to let a local company build my computer,
and they charged $100 above retail cost of the parts. For that
price, I got the OS installed, and the company did a good job.
You don't have to go Dell or HP, if you have a good builder
in town. Unfortunately, that company is bankrupt now, and
I've been building all my own computers, since having the first
one built for me (I've got more time now to do it).
Paul
) Adela