Introduction

Today, Intel is announcing their new Haswell processor lineup. Just like last generation's Ivy Bridge, the processors are built on a 22 nanometer production process that offers performance improvements, especially in the integrated graphics area and through new overclocking features. K-models, like the Core i7-4770K and Core-i5-4670K, are as before available for a price premium, offering unlocked multipliers to make overclocking much easier.



Just like on Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge, Intel has integrated a quad-core CPU, graphics, cache, a memory controller and PCI-Express connectivity into a single silicon die.

The new processors see little architectural improvement. New AVX2 instructions have been added, but the main focus is on reducing power consumption. With Haswell, Intel is also introducing a new socket 1150, which means old motherboards won't work anymore. A new Intel Series 8 chipset is also available.

For the mobile segment, Intel has added a third tier of processor graphics based on a new GT3 graphics core called "Iris Pro" and "Iris", but these are only available on the BGA socket, so they can't be used with LGA1150 motherboards. I think the logic behind these is that traditional desktop users will use a real graphics card for serious gaming performance, but integrated GT2-based graphics—HD Graphics 4600, 4400, and 4200—should suffice for normal desktop work, videos, and light-gaming usage.


In this review, we will use a retail Intel Core i7-4770K processor to investigate what improvements Intel made with their latest graphics core and whether it will be enough for gaming in the low-end space. Unlike our regular VGA reviews, where highest details are used, we test all games at a lower "High" details setting.

Test System

Benchmark scores in other reviews are only comparable when this exact same configuration is used.

• All video card results were obtained on this exact system with exactly the same configuration.
• All games were set to "high" quality, not the highest setting available.
• AA and AF are applied via in-game settings, not via the driver's control panel.

Each benchmark was tested at the following settings and resolutions:

• 1280 x 800, 2x Anti-aliasing. Common resolution for most smaller flatscreens today (17" - 19"). A bit of eye candy turned on in the drivers.
• 1680 x 1050, 4x Anti-aliasing. Most common widescreen resolution on larger displays (19" - 22"). Very good looking driver graphics settings.
• 1920 x 1080, 4x Anti-aliasing. Typical widescreen resolution for large displays (22" - 26"). Very good looking driver graphics settings.

Assassin's Creed 3

Assassin's Creed III, published in 2012, sees series protagonist Desmond Miles relive the memories of his 18th century ancestor Ratonhnhaké:ton (aka. Connor), giving you an experience many of the series' fans craved: that of an assassin in colonial America during the American Revolution.

Based on a rehashed AnvilNext game engine that uses DirectX 11 and Havok CPU physics, Assassin's Creed III is the most graphics-intensive member of the franchise, depicting North American landscapes in great detail.