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Intel Core i7 In-Depth Performance Scaling Analysis

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7 Intel Core i7 X58 Motherboards Tested and Compared

We put seven feature rich X58 motherboards for Intel´s latest Core i7 CPU to the test. Comparing performance, overclocking scaling in a multitude of applications and games. Which one comes out on top? Read on to find out!

Author	massman
Editor	jmke
Date	2009-02-25
Discuss	12 comment(s)
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	Introduction It has been almost two months now that the big public is able to enjoy the wonders of the new Core i7 technology, codenamed Nehalem, but although we use the word wonder, there are no dramatic improvements over the previous high-end Intel quad-core processors. In fact, the novelties of the Core i7 can be broken down into four points: Small clock-per-clock performance increase Integrated memory controller in the processor Introducing triple channel memory configuration, which improves memory bandwidth Re-introduction of HyperThreading Let's have a look at the conclusion of our launch article regarding the Core i7: The Core i7 delivers what it promised: better performance. But there isn’t a huge boost in single threaded applications. We compared triple to dual and single, but that just gave close to 0 extra performances. Although it is working correctly, delivering up to 25 Gigabyte per second memory bandwidth, this platform doesn't need it for the moment. The current crop of mainboards based on the Intel X58 are feature rich and offer everything you'll need, including Crossfire and SLI support on a select group of third party motherboards. Price wise we were not expecting this new platform to be cheap, and we are not proven wrong; the cheapest Core i7 capable motherboards hover around €300, while the entry level i7 920 is also close to €300, combine this with a capable DDR3 memory kit and you’re looking at ~€1000 for CPU/Motherboard/RAM. Knowing that you can build a fast Core 2 Duo (or even Quad) system for less than half of that, the current pricing of the Core i7 doesn’t make it very cost effective. Referring back to the four points of change, we can conclude that: The small increase in performance is indeed visible, be it in multi-threaded applications only due to the HyperTreading mostly. In single-threaded or very limited multi-threaded applications, such as most of the recent games, the increase in performance is not noteworthy. The integrated memory controller does its job perfectly: no complaints in this area The triple channel memory configuration does increase the memory bandwidth, although the difference with single and dual channel configurations is negligible. As Intel already confirmed: the added channel is only to feed the processor in 8-threaded applications. In multi-threaded applications, the HT feature does help. It's a pitty though that the HT package comes with extra heat production. It has become very clear that the LGA1366 platform is not meant for the mainstream users, but only for high-end enthusiasts who are willing to spend a few extra bucks for the highest possible performance. The LGA1366 is an expensive platform (as mentioned in above paragraph); not only because there are only three types of processors that will fit onto you motherboard (920-940-965), which means no low-budget variants, not only because the only memory supported is expensive DDR3, but also because the motherboards are in fact very expensive. At least, expensive when comparing to the middle-end LGA775 motherboards, which show up around €100-€125, whereas we have not found an LGA1366 motherboard under €200 ... a significant difference isn't it. In this 7-way X58 motherboard round-up, we'll be comparing the following motherboards both on raw performance as on the overclocking capabilities, which often indicates the maturity of a motherboard: Asrock X58 Supercomputer Asus Rampage 2 Extreme DFI Lanparty DK X58-T3eH6 Foxconn Bloodrage Gigabyte X58-Extreme Intel DX58SO MSI X58 Eclipse SLI \| Next ->> Quick Page Jump: More reviews in this category can be found below: Seven Intel P55 Motherboards Tested From Asus, DFI, MSI, Gigabyte Gigabyte 333 Event - Details about SATA 6G and USB 3.0 P55 Roundup: Gigabyte P55-UD6 / P55-UD3 and MSI P55-GD80 Asus Rampage Gene II Review - An Extreme 2 On A Diet? Asus M3A78-T Motherboard Review ~ HD 3300 IGP Overclock Fun AM3 motherboard shootout: DFI DK 790FXB-M3H5 vs MSI 790FX-GD70 7 Intel Core i7 X58 Motherboards Tested and Compared DFI LanParty DK 790GX-M2RS Motherboard Review DFI X48-T3RS review - redefining the high end ? MSI P45-8D Memory Lover Motherboard Review

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