One of the most popular processor sockets from Intel at the moment is socket 1150. Although this platform is now gradually being replaced by an updated socket 1151, its semiconductor crystals will definitely be relevant for the next 2-3 years, and it’s its capabilities that will be considered in this article.
Socket 1150 and its positioning
In 2013, the question was urgent when choosing a new PC: “Socket 1150 or 1155?”. Difference in performance between these processor sockets was practically absent. From the standpoint of price, 1155 was preferable, but energy saving was an order of magnitude better than 1150. Now the latter is replaced by a more progressive processor family - the sixth, which is already installed in socket 1151. Otherwise, it should be noted that socket 1150 allows you to create the most affordable computer system. But the segment of the most productive PCs and servers for the most part occupies socket 2011.
Segmentation of processor solutions
Socket 1150 in terms of processor decisions was divided as follows:
Solutions for computer enthusiasts are the “Ay5” and “Ay7” processors with the “K” index. They have an unlocked multiplier and, with proper selection of the PC configuration, this nuance allows you to get a significant performance boost.
The most productive “Ay7” chips perfectly suited for building the most demanding computing resources of computers - servers, graphics and workstations, and gaming PCs. “Ay5” is also aimed at the same niche, but the level of their productivity is lower than that of “Ay7”, but at the same time the price is more modest.
The middle segment of this platform was occupied by solutions based on “Ay3”. This CPU family is great for most tasks. But in some cases (for example, in the most demanding three-dimensional toys) you will have to sacrifice some parameters and this will not affect the gameplay process in the best way.
To build entry-level computers, it is most optimal to use the most affordable CPUs - Pentiums and Celerons. Their computing capabilities are enough to solve a wide range of office tasks.
Haswell Semiconductor Crystal Generation
The first for this computer platform was the generation of chips codenamed “Haswell”, and at that time there was a dilemma: “Which is better to choose: socket 1150 or 1155?”. The difference in performance between them was not significant. But the energy saving in 1150 was better. All these chips were manufactured according to the 22 nm manufacturing process. The upper segment was occupied by “Cor Ai7 4770K” (with the possibility of overclocking) and “Cor Ai7 4770” (in this case, the CPU multiplier was blocked). These chips could work in 8 computing threads and they had only 4 computing cores. The cache of the third level was equal to 8 MB, and the reference clock frequency of 3.5 GHz. The Kor Ai5 processors of 4670K, 4670 and 4570 models were slightly lower in terms of performance. In the first case, the CPU multiplier was unlocked and this allowed us to obtain a significant performance increase. The first two models had a CPU frequency of 3.4 GHz, while the latter had 3.2 GHz. The number of computing threads is limited to 4, and the cache in the third level is 6 MB. Even lower in terms of performance are “Cor Ay3.” Their frequencies were reduced, the cache of the third level was reduced, and the number of physical cores was equal to 2 with 4 computing threads. The Pentium and Celerons occupied the niche of the most modest processors. Minimum frequencies, minimum level 3 cache and only 2 cores.
Another chip family for this processor socket
The first generation of chips for socket 1150 was not entirely successful. During overclocking, processors often overheated and failed. As a result, Intel had to release an additional family of processors with improved thermal grease under the lid for heat sink, which received the code name "Haswell Refresh". In fact, these are the same chips, but with a different marking. For example, “Cor Ai7 4770K” was renamed to “Cor Ai7 4790K”. In addition to improved thermal paste, these processor solutions could boast of an increased frequency (in 4790 it was higher at 100 MHz).
Broadwell Chip Generation
Socket 1150 boasts support for the 5th generation Cor processors, code-named Broadwell. For desktop computers, only 2 chip models were released - “Cor Ai7 5775” and “Cor Ai5 5675”. Their specifications were more modest than their predecessors: the frequencies are lower by 200 MHz. But the key innovation of these CPUs is an improved technological process - 14 nm.
Chipsets
8th and 9th series of system logics for this platform. The initial niche was occupied by the H81, which boasted a minimum level of functionality. The middle segment was occupied by B85, Q85, Q87 and H87. Well, the most advanced solutions were based on the Z87. But only the Haswell and Haswell Refresh chips (in this case it is recommended to update the BIOS) in these chipsets. Socket 1150 allows you to install Broadwell solutions, but they can only work in the 9th series of system logic. There are only 2 of them - H97 and Z97. These chipsets are designed for use in high-performance PCs.
Further perspectives of this computer platform
Every 2-3 years, Intel Corporation updates its computer platforms, and at the same time, motherboards are released with a new processor socket. Socket 1150 was officially introduced in 2013 at the same time as the first 4th-generation Cor core processors. Now, after 3 years, this platform is gradually being replaced by a newer processor socket (socket 1151), into which the 6th generation of processors based on the Kor architecture is installed. As a result, it can be noted that the processor socket 1150 is living out its last days. It’s not that out of date. It is simply being replaced by an updated computer platform. But its most productive CPUs will be exactly relevant the next 2-3 years.
Buying Guidelines
Intel processor sockets, as noted earlier, are currently changing from 1150 to 1151. And the 1150 platform is already at the end of its life cycle. But this does not mean that its processor solutions are not relevant. Just now they are of the greatest interest in the lineup of chips from Intel. The prices for them in the light of updating for the 6th generation of Cor processors are reduced, and the level of performance between the 4th, 5th and 6th generations is not so different. Therefore, if you urgently need an inexpensive, but efficient computer, you can safely purchase a computer with the necessary equipment on the basis of the Haswell or Haswell Refresh CPUs. Well, Broadwell solutions are aimed at the niche of the most productive PCs, and in this case it is better to report a relatively small amount and purchase an already system based on socket 1151.
Owner reviews
Intel processor sockets change with enviable regularity: almost every 2 years. And now there is a planned replacement of 1150 to 1151. But they have common pros and cons. Their positive aspects are:
But they have the following disadvantages:
Summary
Socket 1150 is still still relevant. But his technical solutions have long been discontinued and only stocks are on sale. Therefore, if you decide to build a PC based on this platform, then you need to hurry. Otherwise, this is a great solution for a computer of any level, but with the appropriate configuration.