In 2011, the Pentium G630 was an excellent solution for building an entry-level PC. Intel released the second generation of Cor-based semiconductor solutions this year, which has become revolutionary. These products continue to be relevant to this day.
Socket for this chip
Like all products of the 2nd and 3rd generations based on the Kor architecture, the hero of this review is intended for installation in the LGA1155 socket. At the moment, it is outdated both morally and physically. But if we take its capabilities in the context of entry-level computing platforms, then its performance coefficient still continues to be relevant. In this regard, it is not so much losing to more recent chips based on newer sockets. But the price of it really pleases the eye.
Production technology
In the forefront for 2011, the Pentium G630 was produced. Intel in this regard is really far ahead of its competitors. The admission standards in this case corresponded to 32 NM process technology. Of course, now the technology is completely out of date. But at that moment, she was truly advanced in the production of silicon crystals. From the perspective of an entry-level PC, this characteristic is not so important and, as a rule, fades into the background.
Cache
A powerful system of 3 cache levels is equipped with the Intel Pentium G630. The first is 64 Kb. They, in turn, are divided into 2 parts of 32 KB. The total size of the second level in this case was 512 Kb. The third reached 3 MB. And on this indicator, the chip five years ago is not inferior even to some of the latest generation CPUs from AMD's direct competitor, AMD.
RAM
Another important innovation of this generation of CPUs was that the memory controller was transferred to the semiconductor chip of the central processor. On the one hand, this engineering approach minimized the types of RAM that could be used in combination with this chip. But, on the other hand, this made it possible to significantly increase the speed of the computer system in the long run. To exchange information between the CPU and RAM, it was necessary to spend significantly less time.
The standard of supported RAM in this case is DDR3, the operating frequencies of the modules can be 1333 or 1600 MHz. You can, of course, use faster modules as part of such PCs. But their operating frequency will be limited to 1600 MHz. The maximum amount of addressable RAM in this case is 32 GB. When using an integrated graphics solution, part of the installed RAM will be used for the needs of the integrated video system.
Thermal features
65 W - just such a thermal package appears in the documentation for the Intel Pentium CPU G630. The maximum allowable temperature for this semiconductor crystal is 69 about C. This is a typical value for processors of that time. This CPU does not stand out with something remarkable compared to its competitors.
Frequencies
The nominal value of the clock frequency of 2.7 GHz was the main one for the Pentium G630 CPU. Intel did not use Turbo boost technology in this budget chip. As a result, changing the value of the clock frequency depending on the load and the degree of heating in this case was unrealistic. A slight overclocking is possible. Although the CPU multiplier is locked, the frequency of the system bus could be increased. Its maximum value is -111.1 MHz with the most favorable combination of circumstances. As a result, you can already get 3 GHz. At the same time, there was no particular need to purchase improved components.
Graphic component
An innovative product in terms of integrated graphics is the Intel G630 processor (like all semiconductor representatives of this generation of CPUs). If until that moment the video card was either placed on the motherboard or was part of the CPU, but was located on the second semiconductor chip, then the Sandy Bridge processors (including the hero of this article) became “breakthrough” in this regard.
The integrated graphics accelerator in this silicon chip family has been transferred to the same chip as the CPU. The result is an ideal solution for building an entry-level PC. You only need to purchase a central processor, and an entry-level video card is already built into it. Her model is HD Graphics. Computing capabilities are quite enough for a budget PC. Well, for something more, it was necessary to buy more expensive chips.
Summary
Finally, we note that only 2 computing modules capable of processing data in 2 streams were part of the Pentium G630. Intel even now complements its entry-level products in a similar way. And this is nothing special. Otherwise, the processor continues to be a worthy product for the assembly of the budget class system unit.