The phenomenally high level of performance Intel Core i7 3770 allows you to easily solve problems of any complexity. It is about its hardware specifications that will be discussed further.
CPU Niche
The Intel Corporation products of the Ivy Bridge family can be divided into two classes: solutions for enthusiasts (socket 2011) and "for all other cases" (socket 1155). It is to the second class that the hero of this review belongs. It is the most productive processor solution for this socket, except for a more advanced version of the same chip, but with an “K” index, which is assigned to solutions with an unlocked multiplier. That is, in normal mode, these two CPUs operate in the same mode, but here at the “Cor i7 3770K” it is possible, by removing the restriction on increasing the frequency, to further increase performance during overclocking. The rest is the decision of the premium segment, which is able to cope with any task even now.
Contents of delivery
The Intel Core i7 3770 OEM processor is equipped as follows :
Chip
Native air cooling system.
Sticker for the system unit (for its front panel).
Warranty card from the manufacturer.
User's manual.
There was also a version of the CPU with the BOX prefix, which was delivered in a blue box. Otherwise, these two versions of the same model of the central processor could boast of identical equipment.
CPU socket
As noted earlier, this is the most powerful LGA1155 processor. Intel Core i7 3770, of course, is the top solution for this processor socket. The platform itself is already outdated by computer standards. It was replaced by more advanced and more productive sockets 1150 and 1151. But the difference in performance between the flagships of these two processor sockets and the hero of our review in normal mode is not so noticeable. In the best case, it is 10-15 percent, which is not so easy to notice in most existing software.
Technological features
Intel Core i7 3770 is already discontinued. And it’s already quite difficult to acquire it: its stocks are almost sold out. But a very serious advantage of Intel products is that its solutions, unlike most competitors, are manufactured according to advanced technological standards. So in this case - the tolerance rate of 22nm is still relevant. For comparison: CPUs of Intel’s direct competitor, AMD, are still mainly manufactured at 28 nm or 32 nm.
Cache
As expected, the Intel Core i7 3770 is equipped with a three-level cache. Its characteristics are really impressive. The first level of fast volatile memory is divided into 4 parts of 64 Kb (each of them is tied to a specific computing module). Each of these parts is also divided into 2 equal parts. The first of them is used to store only data, and the second - instructions. As a result, the total size of the cache of the first level is 256 Kb. The second level, like the first one, is divided into 4 parts, each of which is assigned to a specific computing module. The size of an individual part is 256 Kb. Its total size is 1 Mb. But at the same time, there is no such strict separation into two parts, unlike the first level of fast memory, in this case. The third cache level is common for all computing modules at once, and its size is an impressive 8 MB.
Supported RAM Types
Intel Core i7 3770 is focused on the use of the most common RAM modules at the moment - DDR3. Of course, the most advanced solutions already support DDR4, which is already on sale.
But so far it has only been used in the most productive computer systems that only enthusiasts can afford. As a result, DDR3 is still the de facto standard and the most common type of RAM in new PCs.
Temperature and heat
The maximum allowable working temperature for a given semiconductor chip is 67.4 degrees. In reality, it is recommended to use this chip in the operating temperature range from 30 to 50 degrees. Moreover, such a temperature mode of operation is provided even by a standard cooling system without acceleration. Well, for lovers of the latter, it is recommended to replace the standard cooling system with an improved one, which will cope with increased heat generation without any problems. The Intel Core i7 3770 processor boasts a 77W thermal package. For comparison: its direct predecessor, the Cor i7 2600, was with a 95W TDP. That is, the difference between the second and third generation CPUs of the Intel Cor family is almost 20 percent.
Frequency formula
Depending on the level of complexity of the task at hand, the frequency of the Intel R CoreTM i7 3770 dynamically changes. When using 3-4 computing modules, it is equal to 3.5 GHz. In this case, the chip simply flawlessly solves multithreaded tasks. If only one computing unit takes part in the work, then the frequency of the semiconductor crystal increases to 3.9 GHz. This CPU mode is great for single-threaded applications.
Architecture
Quite an interesting situation is obtained with this CPU with the number of cores and computing threads. As mentioned earlier, there are 4 real computing modules in this chip. But at the software level, their number doubles in the Intel Core i7 3770 - 8 cores. Again, this option, which allows this chip to work in 8 computing threads, can be disabled in the BIOS of the motherboard.
Integrated graphics
Intel strives to make its processor solutions as versatile as possible. The hero of our review today was no exception in this regard. It has a built-in graphics core - “Hdi Graphics 4000”. This accelerator operates at a frequency of 650 MHz. For some serious tasks, it is clearly not enough. But for office applications and other undemanding programs, it is perfect.
Overclocking potential
The nominal frequency, as noted earlier, is 3.4 GHz for the Intel Core i7 3770. This value is valid for the case when 3 or 4 computing modules are simultaneously in operation. If only one module remains in operation, this value will increase to 3.9 GHz. It would seem that this chip is with a locked multiplier and cannot be overclocked, and the frequency formula of this semiconductor crystal is limited to the values given earlier. But here you can increase the frequency of the system bus and thereby increase the overall system performance. To do this, do this:
We check the power of the power supply (it should be more than 700 watts).
Also, the motherboard should be with advanced parameters.
The regular system must be replaced by an improved one, which would provide better heat dissipation.
At the start of PC boot, you must enter the "BIOS".
Lower the frequency of system memory.
The voltage of the CPU is left unchanged.
We increase the frequency of the system bus step by step.
After each increase, start the PC and check the stability of its work using specialized software (it needs to be installed beforehand).
And so on, until we reach the extreme limit of the operability of a computer system. As a rule, in most cases, real operating values are limited to 4.1-4.2 GHz. But there are times when the maximum allowable 4.5 GHz is reached.
Cost
The Intel Core i7 3770 processor can still be purchased from stock for $ 330. Of course, to assemble a new computer based on it at the moment is not entirely justified: there are interesting proposals based on more productive chips of 4 and 5 generations. But for owners of older systems based on socket 1155 with less efficient processors, it's time to upgrade and get the highest possible level of performance from their far from new PC.
Reviews
There is only one drawback in the Intel Core i7 3770. Reviews highlight the low quality thermal paste under a metal casing in comparison with earlier versions of the chips of the same manufacturer. This nuance significantly affects the heat sink with increasing temperature of the semiconductor crystal during acceleration. But this disadvantage manifests itself only with increasing frequency. If you plan to use the CPU in normal mode, then there will be no problems with its use. Otherwise, this chip has only pluses: a high level of performance, excellent architecture and advanced technological process - and this is not a complete list of advantages pointed out by satisfied owners.
Summary
An excellent processor solution for its time was the Intel Core i7 3770. He even now copes with any task, including the most demanding one. To a certain extent, this chip has already lost its relevance: there are more recent solutions of this class. But at the same time, its stocks are of rather great interest for those who want to increase PC performance based on this platform to the maximum level. In this case, it is non-alternative.