Intel i7 Processor in detail

1 Desktop processors
              1.1 Nehalem micro architecture
                     1.1.1 "Lynnfield" (45 nm)
                     1.1.2 "Bloomfield" (45 nm)
                     1.1.3 "Gulftown" (32 nm)
             1.2 Sandy Bridge microarchitecture
                     1.2.1 "Sandy Bridge" (32 nm)
                     1.2.2 "Sandy Bridge-E" (32 nm)
                     1.2.3 "Ivy Bridge" (22 nm)
2 Mobile processors
             2.1 Nehalem microarchitecture
                    2.1.1 "Clarksfield" (45 nm)
                    2.1.2 "Arrandale" (32 nm)
             2.2 Sandy Bridge microarchitecture
                    2.2.1 "Sandy Bridge (Dual-Core)" (32 nm)
                    2.2.2 "Sandy Bridge (Quad-Core)" (32 nm)
                    2.2.3 "Ivy Bridge (Dual-Core)" (22 nm)
                    2.2.4 "Ivy Bridge (Quad-Core)" (22 nm)

Desktop processors

Nehalem microarchitecture

"Lynnfield" (45 nm)

Lynnfield is the code name for a quad-core processor from Intel released in September 2009.^[1] It is sold in varying configurations as Core i5-7xx, Core i7-8xx or Xeon X34xx. Lynnfield uses the Nehalem microarchitecture and replaces the earlier Penryn based Yorkfield processor, using the same 45 nm process technology, but a new memory and bus interface. The product code for Lynnfield is 80605, its CPUID value identifies it as family 6, model 30 (0106Ex).

Lynnfield is related to the earlier Bloomfield and Gainestown microprocessors, which are used in server and high-end desktop systems. The main difference between the two is Lynnfield's use of the LGA 1156 processor socket as opposed to the LGA 1366 used in the others. LGA 1156 processors include Direct Media Interface and PCI Express links, which Intel has previously connected to the processor with a dedicated northbridge chip, called the memory controller hub or I/O hub.

 The mobile version of Lynnfield is Clarksfield.

Produced                                in 2009 Designed by Intel

Max. CPU clock rate             2.40 GHz to 3.06 GHz

Min. feature size                     45 nm

Instruction set                                     x86, x86-64, MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2 Microarchitecture                    Nehalem

CPUID code                           106Ex

Product code                           80605

Cores                                       4

L2 cache                                  4x256kb

L3 cache                                  8 MB

Application                             Desktop

Socket(s)                                 LGA 1156

Brand name(s)                         Core i5-7xx, Core i5-7xxS, Core i7-8xx, Core i7-8xxS, Core i7-8xxK,

Xeon X34xx, Xeon L34xx

• All models support: MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology (EIST), Intel 64, XD bit (an NX bit implementation), TXT, Intel VT-x, Intel VT-d, Hyper-threading, Turbo Boost, Smart Cache.
• Core i7-875K features an unlocked multiplier and does not support Intel TXT and Intel VT-d.^[1].
• FSB has been replaced with DMI.
• Transistors: 774 million
• Die size: 296 mm²
• Stepping: B1

"Bloomfield" (45 nm)

Bloomfield is the code name for Intel high-end desktop processors sold as Core i7-9xx and single-processor servers sold as Xeon 35xx.,^[1][2][3] in almost identical configurations, replacing the earlier Yorkfield processors. The Bloomfield core is closely related to the dual-processor Gainestown, which has the same CPUID value of 0106Ax (family 6, model 26) and which uses the same socket. Bloomfield uses a different socket than the later Lynnfield and Clarksfield processors based on the same 45 nm Nehalem microarchitecture, even though some of these share the same Intel Core i7 brand.

Produced From 2008 to present

Designed by                       Intel

Max. CPU clock rate        2.66 GHz to 3.33 GHz

Min. feature size              45 nm Instruction set x86, x86-64, MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2

Microarchitecture        Nehalem

CPUID code               106Ax

Product code               80601

 Cores                          4

 L2 cache 4× 256 kB

L3 cache                      8 MB

Application                 Desktop

Socket(s)                     LGA 1366

Brand name(s)             Xeon 35xx, Core i7-9xx

• All models support: MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology (EIST), Intel 64, XD bit (an NX bit implementation), Intel VT-x, Hyper-threading, Turbo Boost, Smart Cache.
• FSB has been replaced with QPI.
• Transistors: 731 million
• Die size: 263 mm²
• Steppings: C0, D0

"Gulftown" (32 nm)

processor able to run up to 12 threads in parallel. It is based on Westmere microarchitecture, the 32 nm shrink of Nehalem.^[3] Originally rumored to be called the Intel Core i9, it is sold as an Intel Core i7.^[4] The first release was the Core i7 980X in the first quarter of 2010,^[5][6][7] along with its server counterpart, the Xeon 3600 and the dual-socket Xeon 5600 (Westmere-EP) series using identical chips.

First figures indicate that at equivalent clock rates, depending on the software, it has up to 50% higher performance than the identically clocked quad core Bloomfield Core i7 975. However, consumer software that utilizes six real cores is still quite rare as of 2011, and not every multithreaded program is able to take advantage of this many cores. Despite having 50% more transistors, the CPU strongly benefits from the 32-nm process, drawing the same or even less power (depending on the operating system) than its Bloomfield predecessors with merely four cores. The thermal design power (TDP) of all planned models is stated to be 130 watts.

Produced 1H 2010

Designed by                            Intel Corporation

Max. CPU clock rate              3.2 GHz to 4.4 GHz

Min. feature size                     32 nanometer

Instruction set                         x86, x86-64, MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AES-NI Microarchitecture                    Westmere

CPUID code                           0206Cx

Product code                           80613, 80614

Cores                                       6 (physical), 12 (logical)

L2 cache                                  6 × 256 KB

L3 cache                                  12 MB

Application                             UP/DP  Server, Workstation

Package(s)                               LGA-1366

Brand name(s)                         Core i7-970, 980, 980X, 990X,  Xeon 3600s, 5600s

• All models support: MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology (EIST), Intel 64, XD bit (an NX bit implementation), Intel VT-x, Hyper-threading, Turbo Boost, AES-NI, Smart Cache.
• Core i7-980X and -990X features an unlocked multiplier.
• FSB has been replaced with QPI.
• Transistors: 1170 million
• Die size: 239 mm²
• Steppings: B1

Sandy Bridge microarchitecture

"Sandy Bridge" (32 nm)

• All models support: MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology (EIST), Intel 64, XD bit (an NX bit implementation), TXT, Intel VT-x, Intel VT-d, Hyper-threading, Turbo Boost, AES-NI, Smart Cache, Intel Insider (Digital rights management), vPro
• Support for up to 4 DIMMS of DDR3-1333 memory.
• S processors feature lower-than-normal TDP (65 W on 4-core models).
• K processors have unlocked turbo multiplier but does not support Intel TXT, Intel VT-d ^[2] and vPro.^[3][4]
• Non-K processors will have limited turbo overclocking.
• Transistors: 1.16 billion^[5]
• Die size: 216 mm²

"Sandy Bridge-E" (32 nm)

• All models support: MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology (EIST), Intel 64, XD bit (an NX bit implementation), Intel VT-x, Hyper-threading, Turbo Boost, AES-NI, Smart Cache.
• Support for up to 8 DIMMS of DDR3-1600 memory.
• Transistors: 1.27 (M1 stepping) or 2.27 (C1 stepping) billion
• Die size: 294 (M1 stepping) or 435 (C1 stepping) mm²

"Ivy Bridge" (22 nm)

• All models support: MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology (EIST), Intel 64, XD bit (an NX bit implementation), TXT, Intel VT-x, Intel VT-d, Hyper-threading, Turbo Boost, AES-NI, Smart Cache, vPro
• Support for up to 4 DIMMS of DDR3-1600 memory.
• S processors feature lower-than-normal TDP (65 W on 4-core models).
• T processors feature an even lower TDP (45 W on 4-core models).
• K processors have unlocked turbo multiplier but does not support Intel TXT, Intel VT-d and vPro.
• Non-K processors will have limited turbo overclocking.
• Transistors: 1.4 billion
• Die size: 160 mm²

Mobile processors

Nehalem microarchitecture

"Clarksfield" (45 nm)

Clarksfield is the code name for an Intel processor, initially sold as mobile Intel Core i7.^[1] It is closely related to the desktop Lynnfield processor, both use quad-core dies based on the 45 nm Nehalem microarchitecture and have integrated PCI Express and DMI links.

The predecessor of Clarksfield, Penryn-QC was a multi-chip module with two dual-core Penryn dies based on Penryn microarchitecture, a shrink of Core microarchitecture. The name of the direct successor of Clarksfield has not been announced. Arrandale is a later mobile processor but opens a new line of mid-range dual-core processors with integrated graphics.

At the time of its release at the Intel Developer Forum on September 23, 2009, Clarksfield processors were significantly faster than any other laptop processor,^[2] including the Core 2 Extreme QX9300. The initial laptop manufacturers shipping products based on Clarksfield processors include MSI, Dell/Alienware, Hewlett-Packard, Toshiba and Asustek.^[3]

Produced                            From 2009 to present

 Designed by                      Intel

Max. CPU clock rate        1.60 GHz to 2.00 (turbo up to 3.2) GHz  

Min. feature size              45 nm

Instruction set                   x86, x86-64, MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2

Microarchitecture            Nehalem

CPUID code                        106Ex

Product code                     80607

Cores                                    4

L2 cache                               4x256kb

L3 cache                               6 to 8 MB

Application                         Mobile

Socket(s)                             µPGA-988

Brand name(s)                  Core i7-7xxQM,  Core i7-8xxQM, Core i7-9xxXM

• All models support: MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology (EIST), Intel 64, XD bit (an NX bit implementation), TXT, Intel VT-x, Intel VT-d, Hyper-threading, Turbo Boost, Smart Cache.
• FSB has been replaced with DMI.
• Transistors: 774 million
• Die size: 296 mm²
• Steppings: B1