Intel Core i7 920, 940 and 965 Processor Review

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The Test System

Before we look at the numbers, here is a brief glance at the test system that was used.

The Intel Core i7 Test System

All testing was done on a fresh install of Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit. All benchmarks were completed on the desktop with no other software programs running. All of the modules were run in dual channel mode with a 120mm fan placed on top of them to keep them cool except for the Core i7 system that was run in triple channel. The EVGA GeForce 8800 GTS 512MB used NVIDIA ForceWare 169.28 video card drivers and the. The LGA 775 test system used the ASUS P5E3 motherboard using BIOS version 1201 and the LGA 1366 test system used the ASUS P6T Deluxe motherboard with BIOS v8004. The AMD Phenom testing was done on the MSI K9A2 Platinum motherboard with BIOS v1.5b5 installed along with ATI system driver version 8.50.

Memory Settings:

  • Core i7 920, 940, 965 – 1600MHz @ 8-8-8-24 (DDR3)
  • QX9775 – 800MHz @ 5-5-5-15 (FB-DIMM)
  • QX9770 – 1600MHz @ 7-7-7-20 (DDR3)
  • Q9300 – 1333MHz @ 7-7-7-20 (DDR3)
  • QX6850 – 1333MHz @ 7-7-7-20 (DDR3)
  • Q6600 – 1066MHz @ 7-7-7-20 (DDR3)
  • E8500 – 1333MHz @ 7-7-7-20 (DDR3)
  • E7200 – 1066MHz @ 7-7-7-20 (DDR3)
  • E6750 – 1333MHz @ 7-7-7-20 (DDR3)
  • Phenom X4 9950 – 800MHz @ 4-4-4-12 (DDR2)
  • Phenom X4 9850 – 800MHz @ 5-5-5-15 (DDR2)
  • Phenom X4 9600 – 800MHz @ 5-5-5-15 (DDR2)
  • Phenom X4 9350e – 800MHz @ 4-4-4-12 (DDR2)
  • Phenom X3 8750 – 800MHz @ 5-5-5-15 (DDR2)
  • Athlon 64 X2 5000+ – 800MHz @ 4-4-4-12 (DDR2)

Here is the Intel LGA 1366 Test platform:

Intel Test Platform

Component

Brand/Model

Live Pricing

Processor

See Above

Motherboard

ASUS P6T Deluxe

Memory

6GB Corsair DDR3 1600MHz

Video Card

EVGA GeForce 8800 GTS 512

Hard Drive

Western Digital RaptorX 150GB

Cooling

Thermaltake BigWater 760i

Power Supply

Corsair HX1000W

Operating System

Windows Vista Ultimate 64-Bit

Here is the Intel LGA 775 Test platform:

Intel Test Platform

Component

Brand/Model

Live Pricing

Processor

See Above

Motherboard

ASUS P5E3 Deluxe

Memory

4GB Corsair DDR3 1800C7

Video Card

EVGA GeForce 8800 GTS 512

Hard Drive

Western Digital RaptorX 150GB

Cooling

Corsair Nautilus 500

Power Supply

PC Power and Cooling 1KW

Operating System

Windows Vista Ultimate 64-Bit

Here is the Intel Skulltrail Test platform:

Skulltrail Test Platform

Component

Brand/Model

Live Pricing

Processor

2x Intel Core 2 QX9775

Motherboard

Intel D5400XS

Memory

4GB Micron 800MHz FB-DIMM

Video Card

EVGA GeForce 8800 GTS 512

Hard Drive

Western Digital RaptorX 150GB

Cooling

Zalman AT Fan/Heatsink

Power Supply

PC Power and Cooling 1KW

Operating System

Windows Vista Ultimate 64-Bit

The AMD Phenom X4 9950 Processor Test System

Here is the AMD Phenom Test platform:

AMD Test Platform

Component

Brand/Model

Live Pricing

Processor

All AM2 and AM2+ CPUs

Motherboard

MSI K9A2 Platinum

Memory

4GB OCZ Flex PC2-6400

Video Card

EVGA GeForce 8800 GTS 512

Hard Drive

Western Digital RaptorX 150GB

Cooling

Zalman AT Fan/Heatsink

Power Supply

PC Power and Cooling 1KW

Operating System

Windows Vista Ultimate 64-Bit

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