At the time of the start of sales, the CPC “Cor i7 860” in 2009 was a revolutionary development that made it possible to solve problems of any complexity. To date, the situation with the capabilities of this chip has not undergone significant changes, and even now, seven years after the start of sales, it still remains relevant.
The only thing that owners of this semiconductor crystal need is to replace the standard cooling system and overclock this processor. This will allow him to catch up with modern PCs based on similar Intel Corporation solutions without any problems.
Who is this development for?
Of course, Intel i7 860 is one of the most productive processor solutions for its platform. Its parameters currently remain relevant and without problems allow you to run any software. Again, some of the most demanding and freshest three-dimensional toys in normal mode on it can function on non-maximum parameters. To solve this problem, you need to replace the cooler with a liquid cooling system and disperse the chip to 3.6-4 GHz. Therefore, it can be noted that this CPU was positioned by the manufacturer as the ideal solution for those who do not like to watch the system requirements of software for PC hardware resources.
What do we get when buying?
The configuration of this CPU is typical, it includes the following:
- The processor itself.
- A standard cooling system along with the same (i.e. standard) thermal grease.
- Warranty card.
- Quick start guide.
- Signature sticker for the front panel of the PC system unit.
Socket for this CPU
Like any other processor solution of 2009, the “Cor i7 860” was installed in the advanced socket at that time - 1156. Of course, there was a productive option - the processor socket 1366. But personal computers based on it cost much more. Therefore, to get a good level of PC performance and spend a relatively small amount on its purchase was possible only with socket 1156.
What are the standards for producing a silicon crystal?
The technological process by which the Cor i7 860 was manufactured corresponded to 45 nm. In 2009, it was an advanced technology for creating silicon crystals. Now, the latest generation of modern chips are already manufactured according to the 14 nm process technology. As a result, their production requires a significantly smaller silicon single crystal. Also, due to this, the energy efficiency of the semiconductor solution is also significantly improved.
Cache and its amount
Typical by today's standards, it is equipped with a three-level cache “Cor i7 860”. Its characteristics are practically no different from modern flagship CPUs. The first level is divided into 4 parts, each of which is assigned to a strictly defined computing module. The latter, in turn, is divided into 2 parts. One of them was intended for storing instructions (its size was 32 kb), and the second was for data (it is also 32 kb). As a result, we get (32 x 4) + (32 x 4) = 256 kb - the total size of the cache in the first level in this chip.
The second level was also divided into 4 parts assigned to a specific computing module, but it was no longer divided into parts for data and instructions. Each of its components was equal to 256 kb, and the total size was 1 MB. The third cache level was common. Its size is 8 MB. The main chip of the cache is that it is a very fast memory that is integrated into the CPU and operates at its frequency. This allows you to get a significant increase in productivity.
RAM
The memory controller was integrated into the Intel Core i7 860. Features indicated that he supported a two-channel mode of operation. That is, if instead of 2 GB in one slot, immediately install on the motherboard 2 RAM modules of 1 GB each, you can get a significant increase. But the memory controller integrated into the CPU made it possible to obtain not only a higher level of performance (previously, the north bridge of the motherboard was used for these purposes, access to which reduced the overall level of performance of the computer system), but it also simplified the manufacture of the motherboard by integrating the north bridge of the chipset into CPU. Now, it’s already no surprise to anyone like that, and all the chips, regardless of their positioning, are made that way.
Maximum allowable temperature of a semiconductor crystal
Maximum Temperature Value for Intel Core i7 860 was equal to 72.9 degrees. In reality, with the normal functioning of the standard cooling system, its temperature was in the range from 30 to 45 degrees. A slight overclocking of the processor in combination with a standard air cooling system increased this range to 45-55 degrees. Well, if you use a specialized air or even liquid chip cooling system, then there will certainly not be problems with a rise in temperature.
Like most CPUs, this semiconductor chip boasted an integrated anti-blocking system. Its essence is that the maximum temperature allowed by the user is set in the BIOS. If during operation this indicator reaches the previously indicated value, then the computer automatically turns off.
Chip operating frequencies
In normal mode, the Core i7 860 processor operates at a frequency of 2.8 GHz. This is with the active use of all four computing modules and a simple or medium in complexity task. In this case, the CPU clock frequency multiplier was 21, and the system bus clock frequency was 133 MHz.
Exactly the same frequency and characteristics of the processor when you turn off one of the computing modules. But when deactivating two cores at once, it could immediately increase to 3.3 GHz (the system bus frequency is similar, but the multiplier in this case is 25). The load was even greater with one active computing module: 3.45 GHz (the frequency of the system bus does not change, but the CPU multiplier increases to 26).
Architectural nuances
Like most high-performance chips, the Core i7 860 boasts the presence of four high-performance computing cores at the physical level. But it also has a proprietary technology from Intel - Hyper Trading. It allows at the software level to get 8 computing threads from 4 physical computing cores at the software level. This can significantly improve system performance in multi-threaded applications.
If necessary (for example, when a semiconductor chip is overheated), this technology can be turned off in BIOS.
Forced increase in productivity
Core i7 860 could boast of good overclocking potential. But in order to increase the overall performance of a computer system, it needs to have an improved power supply and motherboard. The power of the first should be at the level of 800 or more watts. But the motherboard is required to provide the flexibility to change PC settings. The algorithm for increasing the clock frequency is as follows:
- We decrease the values of all factors in the system, except for the processor (RAM, for example).
- We increase the voltage on the CPU.
- We increase the frequency of the system bus.
- If necessary (if the system ceases to work stably) we turn off the Turbo boost technology (allows you to automatically increase the frequency) and Hyper Trading (we leave only 4 physical computing modules in operation).
As practice shows, even with a standard cooling system, you can get 4 GHz (CPU multiplier 20 and system bus frequency 200 MHz or CPU multiplier 21 and frequency already 190 MHz). In this case, the frequency of the semiconductor crystal is 72 degrees. To reduce the temperature of the CPU, it is recommended to use a specialized cooling system. It is possible both air (with improved heat dissipation), and liquid.
Price
The i7 860 processor at the start of sales was estimated at $ 284. A more modest version of Intel Cor i5 750 cost $ 196, while a more advanced CPU with an index of 870 sold for $ 562. On the one hand, $ 284 is a pretty solid amount for a PC of this level, but this computer system was bought for more than one year.
What owners say about the chip
In addition to the fairly high price, the Intel Core i7 860 has no shortcomings. But a good CPU, which undoubtedly is this semiconductor solution, cannot be bought for a penny. But he has much more advantages, as noted in the reviews:
- Promising processor architecture, which even now continues to be relevant.
- Large three-level cache size.
- High overclocking potential.
- Excellent energy efficiency.
- Flexible control of the clock frequency depending on the degree of complexity of the task.
- Automatic shutdown of an idle computing module and increasing the frequency of CPU cores remaining in operation.
Summary
“Cor i7 860” in 2009 was one of the best chips. It successfully combined both optimal performance and relatively low cost. Another confirmation of this is that its technical parameters are even relevant now, and most of the existing software on it will start without any problems, including the most demanding modern toys (albeit not at maximum settings).