Intel Sandy Bridge Quad-Core Processor Tested

[Kantastic]

It hasn't gone mainstream because it hasn't had enough time to take over from 775. Lets face it, for anything to become mainstream, the pre-built manufacturers have to start using it in a large number of their models. And for the pre-built manufacturers to use it in a large number of their models, it has to support integrated graphics, which 1156 has only done since January, which is why 775 was the mainstream Intel socket up until then. Lets face it, 6 months is hardly enough time for anything to become mainstream.

Now that 1156 has integrated graphics, I don't see any good reason why 1155 is necessary.

The rapid release of so many platforms as confused even you. 1155 has integrated graphics, 1156 doesn't.

 

[DanishDevil]

1156 does have integrated graphics. Look at the i5 650.

 

[DrPepper]

1156 does have integrated graphics. Look at the i5 650.

Indeed but they are pathetic compared to the competition.

 

[DanishDevil]

Are Sandy Bridge's integrated graphics going to be drastically better?

They're plenty to get anybody by that doesn't game. What is the "competition" you speak of? These are on-CPU, not on board, remember.

 

[DrPepper]

Are Sandy Bridge's integrated graphics going to be drastically better?

They're plenty to get anybody by that doesn't game. What is the "competition" you speak of? These are on-CPU, not on board, remember.

Onboard and on-cpu it doesn't matter.

 

[newtekie1]

That's my point the OEM's didn't invest their time on it so they aren't hurting anyone by changing the socket.

True, if they need to do a socket change, I'd rather them do it early then later. I just hope they stick with the new socket for a good long time.

However, I don't see why they would need to do a socket change, if there are problems with the original 1156 socket, then fix them, but keep the socket and make future boards backwards compatible, like they did with 775.

The rapid release of so many platforms as confused even you. 1155 has integrated graphics, 1156 doesn't.

Confused me?

Indeed but they are pathetic compared to the competition.

All integrated graphics are pathetic.

Are Sandy Bridge's integrated graphics going to be drastically better?

They're plenty to get anybody by that doesn't game. What is the "competition" you speak of? These are on-CPU, not on board, remember.

In the end, it doesn't matter if it is on the CPU or on the motherboard, integrated is integrated. The fact that it is on the CPU just means that there will be less competition, which means suckier products.

And in the end, I agree with you, all integrated graphics suck, they are good for basic office tasks only, and web browsing, and playing back HD video. As long as it can do that, they are all the same to the large majority of end users. Anything more than those tasks, and a dedicated card should be used.

 

[Kantastic]

1156 does have integrated graphics. Look at the i5 650.

Damn I was thinking P55, H55 completely slipped my mind.

*Walks into corner*

 

[DanishDevil]

Now put on the hat of shame! Oh wait...you already have it on in your avatar

 

[btarunr]

Here we go:

http://img.techpowerup.org/100610/42b070.jpg

Red (1) was removed, and black (2) were moved.

Details here: http://www.techpowerup.com/?120581

Components were moved, relocated, and so the pin-map changed.

 

[DrPepper]

True, if they need to do a socket change, I'd rather them do it early then later. I just hope they stick with the new socket for a good long time.

However, I don't see why they would need to do a socket change, if there are problems with the original 1156 socket, then fix them, but keep the socket and make future boards backwards compatible, like they did with 775.

All integrated graphics are pathetic.

However unlikely I hope that this new socket is around for longer. Also very basic 3D graphics at least being able to play all games low graphics with enough frames is what I'd love to see,

 

[a_ump]

laptops are the only area of computers that i've found decent integrated gpu's. desktops.....can't say i've ever found one that can play more than starcraft satisfactorily.

 

[TVman]

"lets rearrange the pins so we can fool the dummies into buying this new and improved motherboard"-Intels 2010/11 board meeting riiight

 

[Zubasa]

However unlikely I hope that this new socket is around for longer. Also very basic 3D graphics at least being able to play all games low graphics with enough frames is what I'd love to see,

I wouldn't say all games, but I think IGPs needs to be powerful enough to be playable in MMOs.

 

[DrPepper]

"lets rearrange the pins so we can fool the dummies into buying this new and improved motherboard"-Intels 2010/11 board meeting riiight

New and improved cpu's actually. Lets face it these new cpu's simply aren't compatible end of story. If the difference was 100pins people wouldn't kick up the same fuss.

 

[lemonadesoda]

TBH the invention and implementation of QPI should allow the return to multiple socket processor systems with asymetic capabilities, like the days of 386 + 387.

Intel would do well to have a highly efficient main core CPU with the other sockets being able to be populated with HPC or IGP or knights corner targeted instruction sets. We, the user, could then populate the sockets with the feature sets we wanted: more cores, or knights corner, or IGP, or AVX

I find Sandy Bridge tiresome, boring and annoying and a return to overly-proprietary systems or socket formats creating redundancy, increasing wastage, and carbon footprint. If Intel want proprietary profits, I'm fine with that; but not at the expense of waste.

 

[WhiteLotus]

I think intel is making a mistake moving from 1156 to 1155 so soon. I know the reason why but think its going to burn those who just moved to 1156

Like me. A few weeks ago Bta posted some new motherboards. I was like, "oh yay more to choose from... research research research"

AH CRAP - wtf is 1155!?!?!?"


Stupid frigging intel.

 

[CDdude55]

Definitly not buying this, as some have said, 1366 is a beast of a platform. My current i7 CPU should last me a good couple years. I could care less about intergrated graphics no matter how good they are with Sandy Bridge.

Intels needs to stop changing sockets every 2 seconds and focus more on making there current ones even better.

 

[btarunr]

It is important to note that Windows 7 will support AVX only after updating to Service Pack 1, and that Coolaler is testing this chip on Windows 7 pre-SP1.

 

[fochkoph]

Hopefully all this outrage at 1156 and 2011 puts some pressure on AMD to retain AM3 for Bulldozer if they haven't decided yet.

 

[v12dock]

Terrible name

 

[Hayder_Master]

"whats special about this processor?"

"it has our IGP built right in!"

price maybe

 

[DaC]

A friend of mine will buy a new computer and wants something relative fast but not expensive... I'll make him stick with 775 E5300/E7400......
I own a i5-750 myself and really don't see any reason of why going to iX family or even leaving PII-545, as I did, unless you're an enthusiast....
I would recommend you people to not backup this ridiculous socket change if it proves not to have a big performance difference....
So recommend to your friends that are regular users to stick with 775 or am3 socket....
Don't buy it! :shadedshu

 

[hat]

Hell, I didn't even use AM3 in my last build... I used AM2+

 

[Flanker]

might consider it if it will give a lot more performance per watt, otherwise i'll stick with my E8400

 

[HillBeast]

Only 100Mhz bus speed?

AVX or should i say AltiVec that was only 128bit SSE.

It's not 100MHz bus, it's 100MHz BCLK. They may seem the same but they aren't. The BCLK is just a reference for the components in the CPU/NB/RAM to use with the multipliers. It means on specific component doesn't have to run past it's limitations so you can overclock another. You just bump the BCLK and fiddle with the multipliers to make them the right speed for your liking.

As for my opinion on the matter, sure the scores are an improvement, but the still are no match for my 3.6GHz i7 930, so here are my upgrade plans for when Sandy Bridge comes out:

* New hard drives
* More RAM.

Done. 1366 is epic and will still be epic for a while to come.