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Core i7-4770K: Haswell's Performance, Previewed

Core i7-4770K: Haswell's Performance, Previewed
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A recent trip got us access to an early sample of Intel’s upcoming Core i7-4770K. We compare its performance to Ivy Bridge- and Sandy Bridge-based processors, so you have some idea what to expect when Intel officially introduces its Haswell architecture.

We recently got our hands on a Core i7-4770K, based on Intel's Haswell micro-architecture. It’s not final silicon, but compared to earlier steppings (and earlier drivers), we’re comfortable enough about the way this chip performs to preview it against the Ivy and Sandy Bridge designs.

Presentations at last year's Developer Forum in San Francisco taught us as much as there is to know about the Haswell architecture itself. But as we get closer to the official launch, more details become known about how Haswell will materialize into actual products. Fortunately for us, some of the first CPUs based on Intel's newest design will be aimed at enthusiasts.

Fourth-Generation Intel Core Desktop Line-Up

Cores / Threads
TDP (W)
Clock Rate
1 Core
2 Cores
3 Cores
4 Cores
L3
GPU
Max. GPU Clock
TSX
i7-4770K4 / 8
84
3.5 GHz
3.9 GHz
3.9 GHz
3.8 GHz
3.7 GHz
8 MB
GT2
1.25 GHz
No
i7-47704 / 8
84
3.4 GHz
3.9 GHz
3.9 GHz3.8 GHz3.7 GHz8 MBGT2
1.2 GHz
Yes
i5-4670K4 / 4
84
3.4 GHz
3.8 GHz3.8 GHz3.7 GHz3.6 GHz
6 MB
GT2
1.2 GHzNo
i5-46704 /4
84
3.4 GHz
3.8 GHz3.8 GHz3.7 GHz3.6 GHz6 MBGT21.2 GHzYes
i5-45704 / 4
84
3.2 GHz
3.6 GHz3.6 GHz3.5 GHz
3.4 GHz
6 MBGT21.15GHz
Yes
i5-44304 / 4
84
3 GHz
3.2 GHz
3.2 GHz
3.1 GHz
3 GHz
6 MBGT21.1 GHz
No
i7-4770S4 / 4
65
3.1 GHz
3.9 GHz
3.8 GHz3.6 GHz3.5 GHz8 MB
GT21.2 GHzYes
i5-4570S4 / 465
2.9 GHz3.6 GHz3.5 GHz3.3 GHz
3.2 GHz
6 MB
GT21.15GHzYes
i5-4670S4 / 465
3.1 GHz3.8 GHz
3.7 GHz
3.5 GHz
3.4 GHz
6 MB
GT21.2 GHzYes
i5-4430S4 / 465
2.7 GHz
3.2 GHz
3.1 GHz
2.9 GHz
2.8 GHz
6 MBGT21.1 GHz
No
i7-4770T4 / 445
2.5 GHz
3.7 GHz
3.6 GHz
3.4 GHz
3.1 GHz
8 MBGT21.2 GHzYes
i5-4670T4 / 445
2.3 GHz
3.3 GHz
3.2 GHz
3 GHz
2.9 GHz
6 MBGT21.2 GHzYes
i7-4765T
4 / 4
35
2 GHz
3 GHz
2.9 GHz
2.7 GHz
2.6 GHz
8 MB
GT2
1.2 GHz
Yes
i5-4570T
2 / 4
35
2.9 GHz
3.6 GHz
3.3 GHz
-
-
4 MB
GT2
1.15 GHz
Yes


According to Intel’s current plans, you’ll find dual- and quad-core LGA 1150 models with the GT2 graphics configuration sporting 20 execution units. There will also be dual- and quad-core socketed rPGA-based models for the mobile space, featuring the same graphics setup. Everything in the table above is LGA 1150, though. All of those models share support for two channels of DDR3-1600 at 1.5 V and 800 MHz minimum core frequencies. They also share a 16-lane PCI Express 3.0 controller, AVX2 support, and AES-NI support. Interestingly, four of the listed models do not support Intel's new Transactional Synchronization Extensions (TSX). We're not sure why Intel would want to differentiate its products with a feature intended to handle locking more efficiently, but that appears to be what it's doing.

The much-anticipated GT3 graphics engine, with 40 EUs, is limited to BGA-based applications, meaning it won’t be upgradeable. Intel will have quad-core with GT3, quad-core with GT2, and dual-core with GT2 versions in ball grid array packaging. GT3 will also make an appearance in a BGA-based multi-chip package that includes a Lynx Point chipset. That’ll be a dual-core part, though.

In addition to the processors Intel plans to launch here in a few months, we’ll also be introduced to the 8-series Platform Controller Hubs, currently code-named Lynx Point. The most feature-complete version of Lynx Point will incorporate six SATA 6Gb/s ports, 14 total USB ports (six of which are USB 3.0), eight lanes of second-gen PCIe, and VGA output.

Eight-series chipsets are going to be physically smaller than their predecessors (23x22 millimeters on the desktop, rather than 27x27) with lower pin-counts. This is largely attributable to more capabilities integrated on the CPU itself. Previously, eight Flexible Display Interface lanes connected the processor and PCH. Although the processor die hosted an embedded DisplayPort controller, the VGA, LVDS, digital display interfaces, and audio were all down on the chipset. Now, the three digital ports are up in the processor, along with the audio and embedded DisplayPort. LVDS is gone altogether, as are six of the FDI lanes.

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  • 0 Hide
    Johnsmith1 , 18 March 2013 05:27
    intel latest processor is not much power full in term of performane.Ivy cpu is good enought.Graphics performance is improve in haswell but amd apu 5800 graphic is better than intel
  • -4 Hide
    SchizoFrog , 18 March 2013 05:46
    Even on a budget I would still rather buy a £50 Intel CPU and pair it up with a £100 GPU from AMD or nVidia rather than use a £150+ AMD APU, but spending £150 on each is still the sweet spot for me.
  • 0 Hide
    Robi_g , 18 March 2013 07:27
    where's the massive performance increase like when sandy bridge came out?
  • 2 Hide
    genz , 18 March 2013 07:58
    Robi_gwhere's the massive performance increase like when sandy bridge came out?


    It's an engineering sample with double the integer performance. That's like a new model of your car coming out that is twice as fast as yours even on flat tyres.
  • 1 Hide
    cheesyboy , 18 March 2013 11:38
    SchizoFrogEven on a budget I would still rather buy a £50 Intel CPU and pair it up with a £100 GPU from AMD or nVidia rather than use a £150+ AMD APU, but spending £150 on each is still the sweet spot for me.

    So in conclusion; you like to spend £150 combined on Graphics + CPU, so the AMD APUs don't suit you?

    That's fine. AMD's top APU is circa £100, so is unlikely to compete with a £150 setup. That said, the x86 performance of a AMD 5800k will outstrip any Intel £50 CPU. And you get graphics equivalent to a £50 GPU thrown in.

    So my conclusion is; if you're spending £100 on CPU + graphics, AMD's APU setup is bang on.
  • 0 Hide
    noiren , 18 March 2013 13:35
    Quite interesting, not a massive performance jump over Ivy bridge but consistent, although not so sure about putting so much emphasis on the integrated graphics on an i7 version as I can't picture anyone spending $300 on a CPU and not buying a dedicated graphics card. I look forward to your testing of the i3 & i5 variants and and see how they fare against AMD on the integrated graphics.
  • 2 Hide
    SchizoFrog , 18 March 2013 18:05
    cheesyboySo in conclusion; you like to spend £150 combined on Graphics + CPU, so the AMD APUs don't suit you?That's fine. AMD's top APU is circa £100, so is unlikely to compete with a £150 setup. That said, the x86 performance of a AMD 5800k will outstrip any Intel £50 CPU. And you get graphics equivalent to a £50 GPU thrown in.So my conclusion is; if you're spending £100 on CPU + graphics, AMD's APU setup is bang on.

    I see your point but my focus is more on graphics than CPU power as a whole. The AMD FX 8350 is just shy of £160 and gives the GPU performance of a GPU valued of around £50-£60... But the CPU part of this processor is massively weighed to multi-threaded applications of which I hard use, I hardly ever use all four cores on my quad core processor let alone 8 cores. Benchmarks and gamings tests have shown (including a recent article from Toms) that a £50 Intel CPU not only kept pace with the aforementioned AMD APU (when it was used alongside a dedicated GPU) but often beat it. So, I get more CPU performance from a £50 Intel CPU (as long as I don't require 8 cores) and I would get better GPU performance from a £100 dedicated GPU. This dual path is also more effective if I wish to upgrade my systems to more powerful options later on as replacing either the CPU or the GPU aspects does not require me to swap out the whole processor set up each time.
  • 0 Hide
    SchizoFrog , 18 March 2013 18:10
    TOMS...

    When I click on 'Read The Comments In The Forums' I get a blank page and a message saying
    'You do not have the required permissions'.

    I am signed in and am using the latest FF release (19.0.2).
  • 1 Hide
    wild9 , 18 March 2013 19:41
    Quote:
    The mobile space is where Intel’s efforts should become more apparent…and it has something for that market we anticipate will give AMD’s and Nvidia’s entry-level GPUs a serious run. CPUs with the GT3 graphics engine will only be available in BGA packaging, though.


    It'll have to compete on cost, too.. can you see Intel doing that? I can't.
  • 0 Hide
    wild9 , 18 March 2013 19:42
    "Read the comments on the forums".. "you do not have the required permissions".
  • 0 Hide
    Tavo Ortiz , 19 March 2013 03:41
    What about Cinebench 11.5 benchmark?
  • 0 Hide
    SchizoFrog , 19 March 2013 08:02
    Nice to see Toms paying attention to the comments section as usual...

    Fix the bloody link to the forums already, it's the same on every article.
  • 1 Hide
    InvalidError , 19 March 2013 16:50
    noirenalthough not so sure about putting so much emphasis on the integrated graphics on an i7 version as I can't picture anyone spending $300 on a CPU and not buying a dedicated graphics card.

    If you want emphasis on the IGP, wait until the GT3/eDRAM variants get benchmarked... they will likely run circles around GT2 and Trinity.

    Of course, GT3 being BGA-only means it will be off most enthusiasts' menu but for x86-based tablets and mainstream laptops, it should be quite nice.
  • 0 Hide
    dansgas1000 , 19 March 2013 21:39
    Hmmm, I wonder how it will run BF3 at lowest settings :) 

    And GTA IV
  • 0 Hide
    Pailin , 20 March 2013 17:21
    I believe Haswell is focusing more on power savings than extra performance this time around.

    Its still making some nice gains, but I guess we will have to wait for the next cycle for really interesting stuff.
    Though I thought I also read some time ago that This gen Intel are going to start ramping out Extreme consumer oriented chips with up to 10 Physical cores...?

    Already running a 4GHz 6core/12thread Xeon so I will probably wait out this generation :) 
  • 0 Hide
    chriss000 , 21 March 2013 22:26
    This PANTS about graphics performance will rage and rage.
    Who cares?
    The chances of replacing a 150 watt gpu needing its own memory and circuit board , cooler etc
    are years away.I hope intel release pokey chips with cheap or zero on board graphics,& save the
    heavy graphics for dual core/low power laptop market, like the pent G chips.
    I dont want to pay for what i wont use. And yes I know about quick sink etc.
    I just dont care.
  • 0 Hide
    chriss000 , 21 March 2013 22:28
    Sorry, i meant the pent g's have no gpu.Ithink
  • 0 Hide
    Vox Populi , 27 March 2013 02:00
    What an ill idea to incorporate GPU into CPU for desktops(sic!)? The same goes to LGA vs BGA. I fully agree to do that with mobile processors but in desktops?! Nobody is using it! Intel open your eyes! Instead of GPU module add extra cores as you promised years ago! And now we already know that there are no plans for 8 core before Skylake (and it is not yet sure if Skylake will have 8core). Outrage! For Christ sake who want's to buy new generation of processors with only 7% increase over last generation! Not me for sure. Where are engineers in Intel?...definitively below marketing man. Intel open your eyes - killing desktop PC market you are cutting your own leg!!! There is still enough people who want to have powerful desktops!(instead of cloud!) And why Intel is disabeling TCX and virtualisation in overclockable K versions? I won't buy Haswell, Broadwell or anything else until I won't see extra cores in it(and NO GPU!). - Vox Pupuli
  • 0 Hide
    genz , 4 April 2013 01:55
    Quote:
    What an ill idea to incorporate GPU into CPU for desktops(sic!)? The same goes to LGA vs BGA. I fully agree to do that with mobile processors but in desktops?! Nobody is using it! Intel open your eyes! Instead of GPU module add extra cores as you promised years ago! And now we already know that there are no plans for 8 core before Skylake (and it is not yet sure if Skylake will have 8core). Outrage! For Christ sake who want's to buy new generation of processors with only 7% increase over last generation! Not me for sure. Where are engineers in Intel?...definitively below marketing man. Intel open your eyes - killing desktop PC market you are cutting your own leg!!! There is still enough people who want to have powerful desktops!(instead of cloud!) And why Intel is disabeling TCX and virtualisation in overclockable K versions? I won't buy Haswell, Broadwell or anything else until I won't see extra cores in it(and NO GPU!). - Vox Pupuli


    Nobody in gaming uses it, but in the prebuilt sector it's a great way to make sure you can take away market share from AMD and Nvidia completely by making sure there is no need to buy their GPUs. When your competitor has substantial income from other markets and you can attack him there as well, you do so.
  • 0 Hide
    itx-man , 5 April 2013 18:36
    With the PS4 having 8 cores and the 720 8 or more cores will we see games being optimized for more than quad core? Should I even be considering a quad core Haswell?
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