Difference b/w Intel 4th generation and 3rd generation processors

                                   Intel had recently announced new series of their processor, the 4th generation Intel i3, i5, i7 processors. The previous version of Intel i3, i5, i7 processors are build by 32nm micro-architecture. The new processors are build by 22nm micro-architecture, main differences in the generations is Intel processors is shrinking of sizes of die in nano scaling. These 22nm 4th generation processors are codename “Haswell”. On June 4th, 2013. Intel had officially announced new CPU's with 4th generation Haswell processors at Computex Taipei 2013.

Intel 4rd generation (Haswell) processor IVB-Die

 

Difference between Intel 4th generation processors and 3rd generation.

The 3rd generation is called “Ivy Bridge,” and is basically a copy of Sandy Bridge manufactured on a smaller scale, or die. However, Intel also focused on beefing up the integrated graphics in this processor. Haswell processors are based on 22nm technology support up to 4 cores / 8 threads at 2.4GHz and 6 MB last level cache boosting computing performance while enabling the latest virtualization techniques and CPU enhancements. Onboard soldered low voltage DRAM with ECC is supported for maximum reliability and optional memory expansion via an SODIMM socket extends the capacity to up to 16GB for the most demanding applications in high performance or virtualized environments. Dual channel design and memory speeds up to 1600 MT/s along with increased cache size and enhanced cache algorithms guarantee maximum memory performance and some efficiency features, faster memory controller, a improved Integrated GPU, some new instruction sets and chipset additions and supports.

Tech Specification of new 22nm Haswell Processors :

Product Name	Intel® Core™ i7-4770S Processor (8M Cache, up to 3.90 GHz)	Intel® Core™ i7-4700EQ Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.40 GHz)	Intel® Core™ i7-4770TE Processor (8M Cache, up to 3.30 GHz)
Code Name	Haswell	Haswell	Haswell
Essentials
Status	Launched	Launched	Launched
Launch Date	Q2’13	Q2’13	Q2’13
Processor Number	i7-4770S	i7-4700EQ	i7-4770TE
# of Cores	4	4	4
# of Threads	8	8	8
Clock Speed	3.1 GHz	2.4 GHz	2.3 GHz
Max Turbo Frequency	3.9 GHz	3.4 GHz	3.3 GHz
Cache	8 MB	6 MB	8 MB
Bus Type		DMI	DMI
System Bus		5 GT/s	5 GT/s
# of QPI Links	1
Instruction Set	64-bit	64-bit	64-bit
Instruction Set Extensions	SSE 4.1/4.2, AVX 2.0	SSE 4.1/4.2, AVX 2.0	SSE 4.1/4.2, AVX 2.0
Embedded Options Available	Yes	Yes	Yes
Lithography	22nm	22 nm	22 nm
Max TDP	65 W	47 W	45 W
Thermal Solution Specification	PCG 2013C		PCG 2013B
Recommended Customer Price	TRAY: $303.00 BOX : $305.00	TRAY: $378.00	TRAY: $303.00
Memory Specifications
Max Memory Size (dependent on memory type)	32 GB	32 GB	32 GB
Memory Types	DDR3-1333/1600	DDR3L-1333,1600	DDR3-1333/1600
# of Memory Channels	2	2	2
Max Memory Bandwidth	25.6 GB/s	25.6 GB/s	25.6 GB/s
ECC Memory Supported	No	Yes	No
Graphics Specifications
Processor Graphics	Yes	Yes	Yes
Graphics Model	Intel® HD Graphics 4600	Intel® HD Graphics 4600	Intel® HD Graphics 4600
Graphics Base Frequency	350 MHz	400 MHz	350 MHz
Graphics Max Dynamic Frequency	1.2 GHz	1 GHz	1 GHz
Graphics Output		eDP/DP/HDMI/VGA
Intel® Quick Sync Video	Yes	Yes	Yes
Intel® InTru™ 3D Technology	Yes	Yes	Yes
Intel® Insider™	Yes	Yes	Yes
Intel® Wireless Display	Yes	Yes	Yes
Intel® Flexible Display Interface (Intel® FDI)		Yes	Yes
Intel® Clear Video HD Technology	Yes	Yes	Yes
# of Displays Supported	3	3	3
Expansion Options
PCI Express Revision	3.0	3.0	3.0
PCI Express Configurations	Up to 1×16, 2×8, 1×8/2×4	Up to 1×16, 2×8, 1×8 2×4	Up to 1×16, 2×8, 1×8 2×4
# of PCI Express Lanes	16	16	16
Package Specifications
Max CPU Configuration	1	1	1
TJUNCTION		100
Package Size	37.5mm x 37.5mm	37.5mm x 32mm x 1.6mm	37.5mm x 37.5mm (LGA1150)
Graphics and IMC Lithography	22nm	22 nm	22 nm
Sockets Supported	FCLGA1150	FCBGA1364	FCLGA1150
Low Halogen Options Available	See MDDS	See MDDS	See MDDS
Advanced Technologies
Intel® Turbo Boost Technology	2.0	2.0	2.0
Intel® vPro Technology	Yes	Yes	Yes
Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology	Yes	Yes	Yes
Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x)	Yes	Yes	Yes
Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)	Yes	Yes	Yes
Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)	Yes	Yes	Yes
Intel® Trusted Execution Technology	Yes	Yes	Yes
AES New Instructions	Yes	Yes	Yes
Intel® TSX-NI	Yes	Yes	Yes
Intel® 64	Yes	Yes	Yes
Intel® Anti-Theft Technology	Yes	Yes	Yes
Intel® My WiFi Technology		Yes
Idle States	Yes	Yes	Yes
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology	Yes	Yes	Yes
Thermal Monitoring Technologies	Yes	Yes	Yes
Execute Disable Bit	Yes	Yes	Yes
Intel® Secure Key	Yes	Yes	Yes
Intel® Identity Protection Technology	Yes	Yes	Yes

Motherboard built with sockets LGA 1150, rPGA 947 and BGA-1364 supports new Haswell processors.

Finally words:

Without get very technical, the primary differences for the average person are relatively small.

• Haswell consumes very less power; such It can run a new MacBook for more than 12 hours (full day). – via 
• Slightly more processing power. On average with the same clock speeds Haswell CPUs are faster than 3rd generation CPUs.

Haswell is just perfect, Perfect computining, Perfect Battery life and Perfect inbuilt Perfect Graphics (IRIS Graphics).

Source & Important links: 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haswell_(microarchitecture)

http://blog.laptopmag.com/intel-4th-generation-core-processor-benchmarked

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivy_Bridge_(microarchitecture)

http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/what-you-need-to-know-about-intels-4th-gen-haswell-processors/

http://ark.intel.com/compare/75610,75124,75469

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGA_1150

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/382363/new-macbook-air-gets-haswell-for-all-day-battery-life

 source

What's the difference between an Intel Core i3, i5 and i7?

What's the difference between Intel Cores?

 

 

What's the difference between an Intel Core i3, i5 and i7?

'What's the difference between an Intel Core i3, i5 and i7?' is a pretty confusing and intimidating question for the majority of people. On the surface, processors are a little tougher to get your head around than, say, a hard drive, as they are not measured by a metric as simple as GB size. However, once you've spent a couple of minutes reading this article, you can be confident of knowing 'What's the difference between an Intel Core i3, i5 and i7?' See also Group test: what's the best processor?

Intel Core i3, Core i5, and Core i7 CPUs have been around for over a year now, but some buyers still get stumped whenever they attempt to build their own systems and are forced to choose among the three. With the more recent Sandy Bridge architecture now on store shelves, we expect the latest wave of buyers to ask the same kind of questions.

What the difference between Intel Cores: Core i3, Core i5, Core i7 — the difference in a nutshell

If you want a plain and simple answer, then generally speaking, Core i7s are better than Core i5s, which are in turn better than Core i3s. Nope, Core i7 does not have seven cores nor does Core i3 have three cores. The numbers are simply indicative of their relative processing powers. See all PC Component reviews.

Their relative levels of processing power are also signified by their Intel Processor Star Ratings, which are based on a collection of criteria involving their number of cores, clockspeed (in GHz), size of cache, as well as some new Intel technologies like Turbo Boost and Hyper-Threading.

Core i3s are rated with three stars, i5s have four stars, and i7s have five. If you’re wondering why the ratings start with three, well they actually don’t. The entry-level Intel CPUs — Celeron and Pentium — get one and two stars respectively.

Note: Core processors can be grouped in terms of their target devices, i.e., those for laptops and those for desktops. Each has its own specific characteristics/specs. To avoid confusion, we’ll focus on the desktop variants. Note also that we’ll be focusing on the 2nd Generation (Sandy Bridge) Core CPUs.

What the difference between Intel Cores: Number of cores

 

 

The more cores there are, the more tasks (known as threads) can be served at the same time. The lowest number of cores can be found in Core i3 CPUs, i.e., which have only two cores. Currently, all Core i3s are dual-core processors.

Currently all Core i5 processors, except for the i5-661, are quad cores in Australia. The Core i5-661 is only a dual-core processor with a clockspeed of 3.33 GHz. Remember that all Core i3s are also dual cores. Furthermore, the i3-560 is also 3.33GHz, yet a lot cheaper. Sounds like it might be a better buy than the i5. What gives?

At this point, I’d like to grab the opportunity to illustrate how a number of factors affect the overall processing power of a CPU and determine whether it should be considered an i3, an i5, or an i7.

Even if the i5-661 normally runs at the same clockspeed as Core i3-560, and even if they all have the same number of cores, the i5-661 benefits from a technology known as Turbo Boost.

What the difference between Intel Cores: Intel Turbo Boost

The Intel Turbo Boost Technology allows a processor to dynamically increase its clockspeed whenever the need arises. The maximum amount that Turbo Boost can raise clockspeed at any given time is dependent on the number of active cores, the estimated current consumption, the estimated power consumption, and the processor temperature.

For the Core i5-661, its maximum allowable processor frequency is 3.6 GHz. Because none of the Core i3 CPUs have Turbo Boost, the i5-661 can outrun them when it needs to. Because all Core i5 processors are equipped with the latest version of this technology — Turbo Boost 2.0 — all of them can outrun any Core i3.

What the difference between Intel Cores: Cache size

Whenever the CPU finds that it keeps on using the same data over and over, it stores that data in its cache. Cache is just like RAM, only faster — because it’s built into the CPU itself. Both RAM and cache serve as holding areas for frequently used data. Without them, the CPU would have to keep on reading from the hard disk drive, which would take a lot more time.

Basically, RAM minimises interaction with the hard disk, while cache minimises interaction with the RAM. Obviously, with a larger cache, more data can be accessed quickly. All Core i3 processors have 3MB of cache. All Core i5s, except again for the 661 (only 4MB), have 6MB of cache. Finally, all Core i7 CPUs have 8MB of cache. This is clearly one reason why an i7 outperforms an i5 — and why an i5 outperforms an i3.

What the difference between Intel Cores: Hyper-Threading

Strictly speaking, only one thread can be served by one core at a time. So if a CPU is a dual core, then supposedly only two threads can be served simultaneously. However, Intel has introduced a technology called Hyper-Threading. This enables a single core to serve multiple threads.

For instance, a Core i3, which is only a dual core, can actually serve two threads per core. In other words, a total of four threads can run simultaneously. Thus, even if Core i5 processors are quad cores, since they don’t support Hyper-Threading (again, except the i5-661) the number of threads they can serve at the same time is just about equal to those of their Core i3 counterparts.

This is one of the many reasons why Core i7 processors are the creme de la creme. Not only are they quad cores, they also support Hyper-Threading. Thus, a total of eight threads can run on them at the same time. Combine that with 8MB of cache and Intel Turbo Boost Technology, which all of them have, and you’ll see what sets the Core i7 apart from its siblings.

The upshot is that if you do a lot of things at the same time on your PC, then it might be worth forking out a bit more for an i5 or i7. However, if you use your PC to check emails, do some banking, read the news, and download a bit of music, you might be equally served by the cheaper i3.

At DCA Computers, we regularly hear across the sales counter, “I don’t mind paying for a computer that will last, which CPU should I buy?” The sales tech invariably responds “Well that depends on what you use your computer for.” If it’s the scenario described above, we pretty much tell our customers to save their money and buy an i3 or AMD dual core.

Another factor in this deliberation is that more and more programs are being released with multithread capability. That is they can use more than one CPU thread to execute a single command. So things happen more quickly. Some photo editors and video editing programs are multi-threaded, for example. However, the Internet browser you use to access Netbank or your email client is not, and is unlikely to be in the foreseeable future.

Hopefully this gives you some insight for your next CPU selection. Happy computing!

Source of article: http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/