The Intel Core i7-950 processor combines the power of four 3.06 GHz computing cores into a single processor, guaranteeing enough processing power for the most demanding applications. With 8 MB of smart cache, the Core i7-950 processor ensures that you get maximum responsiveness from your system, even when several intensive programs run simultaneously. Compatible with motherboards based on the Intel X58 Express chipset, the Core i7-950 processor takes your computing and gaming experience to the next level.
 | Intel Core i7-950 Processor features:
- Four 3.06 GHz cores for better multitasking and multithreaded performance.
- 8 MB of smart cache.
- Integrated memory controller delivers higher memory bandwidth.
- Quick Path Interconnect provides fast data transfer between the processor and chipset.
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With four cores in one processor, users will experience better multitasking and multithreaded performance. |
The Intel Core i7-950 processor delivers unmatched performance for demanding tasks. View larger. |
Powerful New Microarchitecture Eliminates Slowdown The i7 family is Intel's flagship processor, and for good reason. With the i7 family, Intel engineers invented a revolutionary new style of microarchitecture. They replaced the front side bus -- a longtime staple of processor design -- with a new technology called QuickPath Interconnect (QPI). Using QPI, the Intel Core i7-950 processor achieves unprecedented levels of bandwidth, and can use its four computing cores to their maximum potential.
To put it simply, users will enjoy faster and more streamlined processing than ever before. Your computer will handle multiple projects and applications without the slowdown you'd experience with a lesser processor.
Extremely intensive programs like high-definition media editors will run more smoothly and responsively. And you'll be able to experience next-generation games without frame-rate hiccups and slowdowns.
New Technologies Boost Performance The Intel Core i7-950 processor also makes use of several other cutting-edge technologies:
- Turbo Boost Technology allows the processor to run up to 133 MHz faster when it's operating below power/thermal limits.
- Hyper-threading Technology enables more efficient use of processor resources, making the most of highly threaded software like media players and next-generation games.
- Smart Cache Memory increases available RAM resources, leading to less lag while multi-tasking.
Media Editing and Sharing Easier than Ever Whether editing high-definition videos, touching up family photos, or splicing up music, the Intel Core i7-950 processor provides the processing power needed. The processor's four cores are optimized to keep up with the most advanced digital editing software. It also accelerates DVD encoding and compression, allowing you to easily share your HD home videos with everyone.
Unparalleled Gaming Performance With the advent of next-generation games, PC gaming is more immersive than ever. The latest games take advantage of multi-threaded programming, allowing for more realistic graphics, physics, and artificial intelligence (AI). But you need more than just a good graphics card with high GPU output to fully experience all these effects. Underlying the visual realism and advanced AI scripts are thousands of high-speed calculations that your CPU must process.
Fortunately, the Intel Core i7-950 processor is specifically designed to handle these calculations. Using multi-thread architecture, it has the ability to process thousands of graphical characteristics at once, resulting in a smooth and lag-free experience. Intel worked closely with CryTek -- the developers of the advanced game engine behind such games as Crysis and Far Cry -- to guarantee that gamers have an immersive and lifelike experience.
The Intel Core i7-950 processor is backed by a three-year limited warranty.
| Intel Core i7-900 Processor Series |
| Intel Core i7-975 Processor Extreme Edition | Intel Core i7-950 Processor | Intel Core i7-920 Processor |
| Processor Frequency | 3.33 GHz | 3.06 GHz | 2.66 GHz |
| Intel Smart Cache | 8 MB | 8 MB | 8 MB |
| Intel Turbo Boost Technology | Single-core performance up to 3.6 GHz | Single-core performance up to 3.33 GHz | Single-core performance up to 2.93 GHz |
| Number of Simultaneous Threads | 8 (With Intel HT Technology) | 8 (With Intel HT Technology) | 8 (With Intel HT Technology) |
| Processor Integrated Memory Controller | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Number of Memory Channels | 3 (DDR3 1066 MHz) | 3 (DDR3 1066 MHz) | 3 (DDR3 1066 MHz) |
| Intel X58 Chipset Motherboard | DX58SO | DX58SO | DX58SO |
| Socket | LGA1366 | LGA1366 | LGA1366 |
Owner Reviews, Ratings, Comments and CriticismContrary to popular belief, CPU chip fabrication is really an imprecise art, and manufacturing perfection cannot be found in this industry. The same series of chips, in this case the i7 900 series, are all manufactured from the same wafer. Whether or not they get the extreme designation and specified number is based on testing done on each chip after the fabrication process is complete. However not every chip is tested for a specific range in the series (e.g. 975). Like any company, Intel has manufacturing quotas, so a certain number of 975s have to be produced each month, but beyond that, they don't run the harder tests involved with the 975s. So in reality, you could technically get a 965 or a 975 in the 950 mix, assuming all quotas were met for any chips above 950 in that particular month of fabrication. The main reason for this is due to the limited demand on the 965s and 975s. In the end, it's more-or-less the luck of the draw. Technically, this means you could by chance end up with a 920 that matches the quality of a 950 or higher. However, the chances are more likely that you could get a 975-quality from a 950 batch, since both would come from the same vicinity on the wafer (that vicinity being the area that consistently yields the best chips) whereas the 920s are coming from a known lesser-quality area of the wafer. The 920s typically are the bottom of the barrel in the series. So if you're absolutely picky and you must have top-of-the-line equipment, definitely go with the 975 or one of the other extreme edition CPUs, because you're guaranteed to receive a chip of the highest quality (assuming you can afford it). However, if price is any concern at all, but absolute top performance is certainly not an issue, go with a 950 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002A6G3V2?tag=a52-20&ie=UTF8) and take your chances on getting something better, especially if you're considering overclocking. It really all depends on your cooling solution, settings and the chances of drawing something better than the label suggests, but from what I've seen the chances are actually pretty decent. I've benchmarked the 975, 965 and 950, all overclocked. The 975 ran only 1.8% faster than the 950, but the 950 ran even better than the "extreme" 965. In the end, I was certainly satisfied with the results of the 950 for the price. For anyone on the fence with price vs performance, you certainly won't be dissatisfied with the 950. Even if you have the extra cash to plop down on the 975, save your money and get an SSD with the extra cash flow. That's where the real bottleneck is in computing these days, and you shouldn't ever run such a top-of-the-line system without having a high-speed hard drive! For those who are curious, here is what I chose for my machine's final configuration: Mobo: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001KA9PZK?tag=a52-20&ie=UTF8 CPU: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002A6G3V2?tag=a52-20&ie=UTF8 Cooler: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001KUV2KQ?tag=a52-20&ie=UTF8 Memory: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001VNLDN8?tag=a52-20&ie=UTF8 Hard Drive (SSD): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002IGT7IU?tag=a52-20&ie=UTF8 PSU: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001M3G42W?tag=a52-20&ie=UTF8
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