Intel Core i7 930 Review
Conclusion
Published: 16th April 2010 | Source: Intel | Price: £231.67 |
Conclusion
Well this was a surprise.
When we first heard rumours of a replacement for the brilliant i7 920 we were hoping that it would be the 32nm revision that gave us such incredible performance in the 980x. Finding out it was still based on the 45nm process left us feeling a bit flat. After all the 920 D0 isn't exactly a slouch in the overclocking stakes and so if all we're getting for our £230 is one extra multiplier which, unsurprisingly, increases the base clock by 133MHz we weren't exactly jumping for joy.
However, to dismiss this as a very very very slightly faster 920 but with identical performance in other areas is hugely mistaken.
Unlike the 920 our 930 hit 4GHz without flinching. Breaking through this barrier was more problematic but we still hit 200 BCLK at a very reasonable 1.35v. A far cry from the 1.45v many 920s required to hit 4GHz and having none of the problems with multiplier (for those unaware some 920s would work better with 19 or 21 as the multi rather than the default 20).
That would be impressive enough to make it to the top of the list of great value processors, but the 930 has a fabulous trick up its sleeve and it's almost more impressive than its overclocking capabilities.
If you're happy with the speed at stock it can run perfectly stable at 0.95v. Anyone who follows hardware closely will be wiping coffee off their monitor about now, so if you don't then take it from us, that's mightily impressive.
The zenith of the i7 930 is combining those two features into a 3.8GHz monster that is completely stable and cool at 1.11v. The savings in energy cannot be denied either at stock or given the 1GHz overclock. To be honest the extra voltages needed to go from 3.8GHz to 4.2GHz are difficult to justify because 3.8GHz will still be plenty fast enough in nearly every application.
If you want a processor and don't want to splurge on one of the higher end, and vastly pricier, processors then the 930 is wholeheartedly recommended. It's tough to recommend if you've got a D0 920, but for those early adopters who have a C-stepping 920 you seriously need to consider moving to the 930.
If this is what we get with 45nm, roll on the 32nm update.
Pros
- Amazing OC ability
- Even more incredible low voltage performance
- The CPU for almost everyone
Mediocre
- Nothing
Bad
- Bad? 3.8GHz @ 1.11v and you expect a bad? Pah.
Many thanks to Intel for providing the i7 930 for todays review. Discuss in our forums.
Most Recent Comments
On paper, totally uninteresting, but in practice, amazing!
Why is it happier with such lower voltages if the process is the same size? I don't know a lot about the intricacies of CPU production, but I'm interested to know what was actually changed, as going by the spec sheet doesn't yield much information.
A CPU like this should be good for many years, despite intel inevitably changing socket design in the not too distant future.
Why is it happier with such lower voltages if the process is the same size? I don't know a lot about the intricacies of CPU production, but I'm interested to know what was actually changed, as going by the spec sheet doesn't yield much information.
A CPU like this should be good for many years, despite intel inevitably changing socket design in the not too distant future.
That's just staggering! So glad I'm getting one of these! Maybe I'll see if I can match your "sweet spot"...
Will the 32nm chips be out this summer then? I imagine they will be able to break 4GHz at lower voltages?
The 3.8GHz@ 1.11v is ridiculous, but in terms of speed alone, it does not seem to offer that much advantage over the slightly cheaper 920 (£40 on scan.co.uk)
The 3.8GHz@ 1.11v is ridiculous, but in terms of speed alone, it does not seem to offer that much advantage over the slightly cheaper 920 (£40 on scan.co.uk)
WOW! 3.8 at 1.11v... It was a good thing I wasn't drinking anything. And with that low of voltage temps must be amazing! (I skipped to the conclusion 
Sorry)
Sorry)They charge more for the 930 over there? By me its the same price as 920. $199 U.S.
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Originally Posted by name='ppuff'
They charge more for the 930 over there? By me its the same price as 920. $199 U.S.
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If I was to get online it would be $280 for either one, just so happens a brick and mortar near me has insane prices on Intel CPU's.
Lol @
''Our results saw 4.2GHz at 1.34v. Absolutely amazing numbers and, as you can see from the screenshot below, totally rock solid. 920 owners would dream of 4.2GHz at 1.34v. ''
''It took a lot of testing but we finally found the sweet spot. 1.112v on the core and 3.8GHz. I think you'll agree that this is outstanding.''
This is my i7 920 D0 4,2Ghz @ 1.264v :
http://i44.tinypic.com/348kphs.jpg
3,8Ghz @ 1.10v
http://i31.tinypic.com/xbl740.png
LinX + OCCT 8+ hours rock solid.
I think 930 owners would dream of this
''Our results saw 4.2GHz at 1.34v. Absolutely amazing numbers and, as you can see from the screenshot below, totally rock solid. 920 owners would dream of 4.2GHz at 1.34v. ''
''It took a lot of testing but we finally found the sweet spot. 1.112v on the core and 3.8GHz. I think you'll agree that this is outstanding.''
This is my i7 920 D0 4,2Ghz @ 1.264v :
http://i44.tinypic.com/348kphs.jpg
3,8Ghz @ 1.10v
http://i31.tinypic.com/xbl740.png
LinX + OCCT 8+ hours rock solid.
I think 930 owners would dream of this
Cingrats dude, we were talking about the majority of CPU's not the cpus we know that run better in certain baches
I wish u guys have a toturial oc'ing i7 930 4.2ghz. For stable 24/7 gaming use .
Not every chip will get 4.2ghz and the settings for each chip with be different for prety much any speed, with a quick google you should be able to find a guide to overclocking i7's if your not sure on what to do.
Thanks for the information (detailed CPUZ shots) and comparison for the 920 i7s vs the 930
I tried undervolting and i got 0.92v at stock cpu speeds.
As i'm new here, i can't post the image up.
@Mudkip did you try undervolting too? since your 920 is of a good batch, i foresee a super low voltage.
As i'm new here, i can't post the image up.
@Mudkip did you try undervolting too? since your 920 is of a good batch, i foresee a super low voltage.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by name='xxxxxl'
As i'm new here, i can't post the image up. |
http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/2...0624062536.png
http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/2206/20100624062536.png
With intel burn test on-going as proof.
http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/2206/20100624062536.png
With intel burn test on-going as proof.
Nice xxxxxl! You must be getting some really low temps to go along with that!
Quote:
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Originally Posted by name='Runebeard'
Nice xxxxxl! You must be getting some really low temps to go along with that!
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At full fan speed, lowest i noticed was 39.(I didn't keep at full fan speed for very long as there was no need to).
Just want to share this with everybody.
http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/6...0624234626.png
Notice the 930 power.
A Core i7-720QM at twice the speed. If only i could put this onto a laptop!
http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/6...0624234626.png
Notice the 930 power.
A Core i7-720QM at twice the speed. If only i could put this onto a laptop!
Nice voltage, the 930 seems to be a lot more frugal. I hate to think how much power my 920 gulps down at 1.325V. What heatsink are you using?
Hyper 212+
Hi,
I'm v. impressed with the undervolting and the results you achieved. Is it possible to share all the settings you used?
I have a new i7 930 and I'm just starting to tinker. I would like a cool running and v.stable 3.8 as a max target. Your work might help me speed up my process and allow me to do it within safer parameters.
Thanks in advance.
Bob
I'm v. impressed with the undervolting and the results you achieved. Is it possible to share all the settings you used?
I have a new i7 930 and I'm just starting to tinker. I would like a cool running and v.stable 3.8 as a max target. Your work might help me speed up my process and allow me to do it within safer parameters.
Thanks in advance.
Bob
You wont be able to under volt and still get an overclock dude. Its one way or the other sadly. Another thing you need to realise is cpu's and motherboards can all act very differently so settings for one may not work for another.
"It took a lot of testing but we finally found the sweet spot. 1.112v on the core and 3.8GHz. I think you'll agree that this is outstanding."
Overclocking is basically a method of finding the optimum balance to achieve stability for a desired performance level for your particular chip and setup. We are dealing with ranges of multiple settings (and as a result too many permutations if you include the hardware variations!) and I want to get in the right range of settings to save my system unnecessary wear. Using the lowest voltage to achieve solid stability at 3.8 is my goal.
I was hoping to get an answer from the author to find out how he reached that low voltage and high performance....
Overclocking is basically a method of finding the optimum balance to achieve stability for a desired performance level for your particular chip and setup. We are dealing with ranges of multiple settings (and as a result too many permutations if you include the hardware variations!) and I want to get in the right range of settings to save my system unnecessary wear. Using the lowest voltage to achieve solid stability at 3.8 is my goal.
I was hoping to get an answer from the author to find out how he reached that low voltage and high performance....
It was me who tested that CPU fella.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by name='tinytomlogan'
It was me who tested that CPU fella.
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TTL is saying that it varies from chip to chip and mobo to mobo.
You really need to read some guides and work out what YOUR chip can do fella, its simple but you just have to put the time in.
This thread is for overclocking, you can do everything but the volts though dude. All the info is on the forums for you to try. If you get stuck start a thread with what you need help with.
http://forum.overclock3d.net/showthread.php?33255-Noob-Overclocking-i7-930-with-P6T-Deluxe-V2-and-Noctua-NH-D14
This thread is for overclocking, you can do everything but the volts though dude. All the info is on the forums for you to try. If you get stuck start a thread with what you need help with.
http://forum.overclock3d.net/showthread.php?33255-Noob-Overclocking-i7-930-with-P6T-Deluxe-V2-and-Noctua-NH-D14
Quote:
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Originally Posted by name='Diablo'
TTL is saying that it varies from chip to chip and mobo to mobo.
|
I asked a simple question and he can say if he has the data or not. It is up to me what I choose to do with the data if anything. He can just answer the question.
I was not looking for more internet advice on guides to overclocking. I can Google with the best of them if I need something. I was taken with the performance he alluded to in his article and wanted to read all the details if they were available. The answer I guess is NO.
It is no as the testing was done a long time ago and I did not keep details that specific, if what you require is not in the review I do not have a record now.
However you do not need them as its VERY simple to work on your own kit to find out what yours is possible of.
Just set your cpu to its VID voltage and then overclock as normal without voltage increases. Its very simple if you actually try it.
However you do not need them as its VERY simple to work on your own kit to find out what yours is possible of.
Just set your cpu to its VID voltage and then overclock as normal without voltage increases. Its very simple if you actually try it.
Thanks
Quote:
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Originally Posted by name='Bob Sand'
Every moron knows that. Thanks anyway.
I asked a simple question and he can say if he has the data or not. It is up to me what I choose to do with the data if anything. He can just answer the question. I was not looking for more internet advice on guides to overclocking. I can Google with the best of them if I need something. I was taken with the performance he alluded to in his article and wanted to read all the details if they were available. The answer I guess is NO. |
It is possible to do some overclocking while undervolting as the manufacturers normally set needlessly high voltages automatically.
Even while overclocking, most of the settings can be left as default.
You might want to disable the spectrum ones though.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by name='Bob Sand'
Every moron knows that. Thanks anyway.
I asked a simple question and he can say if he has the data or not. It is up to me what I choose to do with the data if anything. He can just answer the question. I was not looking for more internet advice on guides to overclocking. I can Google with the best of them if I need something. I was taken with the performance he alluded to in his article and wanted to read all the details if they were available. The answer I guess is NO. |
AUTO is completely the wrong thing. The board will overvolt to try and compensate for the clock. You MUST set the voltages so they stay where you want, ie: the cpu's VID
removed.
Whoa boy! There's no need to arch your back! You give the air of someone who clearly understands overclocking well, yet rather than experimenting what your chip can do, simply wanted to recreate the test results which were likely performed with different hardware from yours.
As Tom said it is very simple to see what your processor can do and requires no facetious comments concerning another member's post when they are simply trying to aid in the issue as all good members will.
You talk about being respectful yourself, yet the aggressiveness and rudeness of some of your reponses isn't really warranted and will only serve to embitter people towards your plight.
I suggest in future a little bit of patience should be utilised, as it is not always easy to understand what a person is asking first time around and can lead to subsequent confusion and in this case strife.
As Tom said it is very simple to see what your processor can do and requires no facetious comments concerning another member's post when they are simply trying to aid in the issue as all good members will.
You talk about being respectful yourself, yet the aggressiveness and rudeness of some of your reponses isn't really warranted and will only serve to embitter people towards your plight.
I suggest in future a little bit of patience should be utilised, as it is not always easy to understand what a person is asking first time around and can lead to subsequent confusion and in this case strife.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by name='Runebeard'
Whoa boy! There's no need to arch your back! You give the air of someone who clearly understands overclocking well, yet rather than experimenting what your chip can do, simply wanted to recreate the test results which were likely performed with different hardware from yours.
As Tom said it is very simple to see what your processor can do and requires no facetious comments concerning another member's post when they are simply trying to aid in the issue as all good members will. You talk about being respectful yourself, yet the aggressiveness and rudeness of some of your reponses isn't really warranted and will only serve to embitter people towards your plight. I suggest in future a little bit of patience should be utilised, as it is not always easy to understand what a person is asking first time around and can lead to subsequent confusion and in this case strife. |
In the interest of having a friendly forum, I'm hoping this can slide (I've read his post). I'm not in this to make enemies.
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