Comments for Core i7: what's in the name? at http://www.buydirectpc.com , comment 1 to 1 out of 1 comments http://www.buydirectpc.com Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:42:59 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.buydirectpc.com/pc-technology/core-i7-whats-in-the-name.html#comment-1 >:( ;D :o Additional features of the new architecture also include the re-arrangement of cache hierarchy. Cache is a high-speed memory built into the processor itself, and that’s where it looks for information first. Imagine this scenario: a craftsman requires a certain tool for the job at hand. First, he will check whether it is in his hand (L1 cache), then, if it’s on the work bench (L2 cache), then, in the drawer (L3 cache). In case it is not found in immediate vicinity, he may have to go to another part of the shop to find it (RAM). If it still is not there, he may have to go out and buy it (Hard Drive), or even order it in (DVD). So the larger the immediate workspace is, the better the chance of finding the tool needed immediately available! Core 2 architecture of the second generation (Wolfdale Core 2 Duo E8--- series and Yorkfield Core 2 Quad Q9--- series) has 32KB instructions + 32KB data = 64KB of L1 cache per each core and 6MB of shared L2 cache per each pair of cores . Core i7 Nehalem has 32KB data + 32KB instructions L1 cache as well as 256KB L2 cache per core as well as 8MB of L3 cache that all 4 cores share. While this rearrangement is more due to architectural specifics rather than anything else, comparing it to Core 2’s cache hierarchy will be apples-to-oranges. It’s just something to keep in mind for those of you who read technical briefs for the sake of enriching your understanding of how computers work. Also, Core i7 uses 45nm (nanometer, a billionth of a meter) technology in order to fit its 731 transistors on its 263mm² core. To compare, a width of average human hair is 80000nm. So the technology used to run your application is pretty much on nano-machinery level, as every node is about 180 atoms in size. Imagine that! Summary: All in all, the new architecture Core i7 brings to you is as good as it gets today. While the overall platform cost (mainboard and DDR3 triple-channel memory) come at a premium due to novelty of the technology as well as limited production, you do get what you pay for (like with all things in DPC). Now available in our 900-class Eclipse UHD Extreme Performance PC, nicely equipped starting at 2499USD with no fine print. - ads Tue, 17 Feb 2009 11:52:41 +0100