Intel Core i7 965 overclocking test for highest BCLK

As Intel Core i7 uses a different architecture, the overclocking of the CPU is now largely dependent on what is known as BCLK. BCLK, which you can call it base clock determines a lot of the other settings as they operate based on a ratio to it.

So, if you overclock the BCLK to high, you might end up with a bottleneck with the QPI. For those who are familiar with AM2, QPI is similar to HT on the AM2 platform. ALthough on the AMD platform you can lower the max limit of HT so that it won't exceed a certain value. There is no such option (as yet) on Intel X58 boards for you to do that.

A ES 965 processor is tested for the max BCLK it can reach with the lowest CPU multiplier available (12x). The maximum stable BCLK that can be reached is 200MHz. (Default is 133MHz).

Here is a screen shot.

Intel Core i7 Processor and Nettop Dualcore Platform

Intel senior vice president Anand Chandrasekher, speaking Monday at Intel Developer Forum in Taipei, said that Intel will collaborate with Ericsson for High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) data modules for the Moorestown platform. WiMax is also supported, but it faces stiff competition from entrenched wireless technologies and may not be compelling enough to rise above the fray.

In addition to WiMax and HSPA, other wireless technologies including WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth, and mobile TV will be supported on Moorestown, Intel said.

Intel Core i7 Processor

Intel Core i7 Processor

Moorestown is a system-on-a-chip (SOC) comprised of “Lincroft,” which integrates a 45-nanometer processor, graphics, memory controller, and video encode/decode onto a single chip. It also includes an “I/O hub” code-named Langwell that supports connection to wireless, storage, and display components.

Intel was also showing a number of slides that detail its upcoming Nehalem i7 processor and the accompanying X58 chipset. Intel said last week that Nehalem is shipping now and is due to be officially rolled out in November.

The i7 will initially appear as a quad-core processor and feature QuickPath Interconnect–a high-speed chip-to-chip communications technology–and “Turbo Boost,” which had been referred to previously as “Turbo Mode.” This is essentially a switch that turns off unused processor cores and then uses the remaining active cores more efficiently.

Intel Nettop '08

Intel Nettop '08

In Taipei, Intel also delineated the differences between Atom-based “Nettop” desktops and more mainstream desktop PCs. Intel is trying to promote Nettops for Web browsing, word processing, e-mail, and “legacy” games. Anything more taxing than these basic applications is not recommended for Nettops.