Core i5 655K VS Core i7 875K vs Phenom X4 965 Benchmark Review

Intel today releases two new processors targeted at a somewhat more enthusiast audience. Yes, processors for tweakers and overclockers. On socket LGA 1156 Intel now releases two K series processors. The 32nm Intel Core i5-655K processor has the very same specifications as the Core i5 650; it will operate at 3.2 GHz, will feature two cores with Hyper-Threading technology, sport 4MB of L3 cache and will be made using 32nm process technology. The difference between the 650 and 655K is the unlocked multiplier only.

Then we have the enthusiast class Intel Core i7-875K processor, it has the very same specifications as the Core i7 870; it will operate at 2.93GHz, will feature four cores with Hyper-Threading technology, sport 8MB of L3 cache and will be made using 45nm process technology. The only difference between the two central processing units (CPUs) will be the unlocked multiplier on the 875K chip, which will allow overclockers and enthusiasts to easily boost clock-speed of the product without the necessity of overclocking other parts of their systems.

On this all in one review article we're going to analyses the latest core i7 architecture from Intel and the all new AMD phenom x4 desktop processor, lets start with featuroes and specifications of these CPUs.

Turbo mode:

Core i5 and Core i7 processors have something that is called 'Turbo mode'. Depending on CPU load one or more CPU cores will run above its advertised specification. Much like the initial Turbo mode introduced for Core i7, the new Lynnfield processors have Turbo mode as well. It changed a little as there are several (five) steps in which the Turbo mode will be utilized.

Very simply: if one CPU thread is used only one processor core will automatically overclock in this order, Core i5 655K to 3.46GHz, the i7 875K to 3.60GHz.

Intel Core i5 Specifications 655K :

General information
Type   CPU / Microprocessor
Family   Intel Core i5
Model number ?    I5-655K
CPU part number   CM80616003174AO (SLBXL)
Box part number   BX80616I5655K (SLBXL)
Frequency (MHz) ?    3200
Package   1156-land Flip-Chip Land Grid Array (FC-LGA10)
1.48" x 1.48" (3.75 cm x 3.75 cm)
Socket   Socket 1156 (LGA1156)
Estimated release date   June 2010

Architecture / Microarchitecture
Processor core   Clarkdale
Manufacturing process   0.032 micron
Data width   64 bit
Number of cores   2
Floating Point Unit   Integrated
Level 1 cache size ?    2 x 32 KB instruction caches
2 x 32 KB data caches
Level 2 cache size ?    2 x 256 KB
Level 3 cache size   4 MB shared cache

Features
    * MMX instruction set
    * SSE
    * SSE2
    * SSE3
    * Supplemental SSE3
    * SSE4.1 ?
    * SSE4.2 ?
    * AES instructions
    * EM64T technology ?
    * Virtualization technology (VT-x)
    * Execute Disable bit ?
    * Turbo Boost technology ?
    * Hyper-Threading technology

Low power features
    * Thread C1, C3 and C6 states
    * Core C1/C1E, C3 and C6 states
    * Package C1/C1E, C3 and C6 states
    * Enhanced SpeedStep technology ?

On-chip peripherals
    * Integrated dual-channel DDR3 SDRAM Memory controller
    * Direct Media Interface
    * Integrated HD graphics controller

Electrical/Thermal parameters
Thermal Design Power (W) ?    73

Notes on Intel CM80616003174AO
    * Graphics processor and memory controller are located on a separate die, which is manufactured on 0.045 micron technology
    * Unlocked clock multiplier

cpu-world.com

Core i7 875K Specifications :

Primary Information
Processor / Product Type	Processor
Processor Type	Core i7
Processor Clock Speed	2.93 GHz
Processor / Data Bus Speed	TBD
Processor
Processor Number	875K
Multi-Core Technology	Quad-Core
Processor / Socket Type	Socket 1156
Cache
Cache Memory Installed Size	8 MB
UNSPSC Code
UNSPSC Code	43201503

AMD Phenom X4 965

Features & Benefits
    * Smoother faster experience, even when running complex software application with native Multi-Core Technology
    * Scaled performance to conserve PC power with HyperTransport® 3.0 Technology
    * Hear your music, not your PC with AMD PowerNow!™ Technology (Cool’n’Quiet™ Technology)
    * Prevent the spread of certain viruses and strengthen your network integrity with Enhanced Virus Protection (EVP)*

Benchmark Tests Result

We selected the best available benchmark results to make everything clear to you from 3D gaming performance to the computing calculation performance.

3DMark06 CPU Score: