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Product release date.
Lithography
Lithography indicates the semiconductor technology used to manufacture the integrated chipsets and the report is shown in nanometer (nm), which indicates the size of the features built into the semiconductor.
Terms of Use
Terms of use are the environmental and operating conditions arising from the context of use of the system.
Please refer to the PRQ for the terms of use for a specific SKU.
Please refer to Intel UC (CNDA website) * for current terms of use.
Number of Cores
Core count is a hardware term that describes the number of independent central processing units in a single computing component (die).
Number of threads
A thread or thread of execution is a software term for a basic ordered sequence of instructions that can be transmitted or processed by a single CPU core.
CPU base clock speed
The base frequency of the processor is the rate at which the processor transistors open / close. The processor base frequency is the operating point where the TDP is set. Frequency is measured in gigahertz (GHz) or billions of computational cycles per second.
Maximum clock speed with Turbo Boost technology
Turbo Maximum Clock Speed \u200b\u200bis the maximum clock speed of a single core processor that can be achieved with the Intel® Turbo Boost Technology and Intel® Thermal Velocity Boost Technology supported. Frequency is measured in gigahertz (GHz) or billions of computational cycles per second.
Cache memory
The processor cache is an area of \u200b\u200bhigh-speed memory located within the processor. Intel® Smart Cache refers to the architecture that allows all cores to dynamically share last-level cache access.
System bus frequency
A bus is a subsystem that transfers data between components of a computer or between computers. An example is the system bus (FSB), through which data is exchanged between the processor and the memory controller unit; DMI, which is a point-to-point connection between the Intel Integrated Memory Controller and the Intel I / O Controller Hub on the motherboard; and a Quick Path Interconnect (QPI) interface between the processor and the integrated memory controller.
Design power
Thermal Design Power (TDP) refers to the average performance in watts when the processor is dissipating power (at base clock with all cores engaged) under a complex load as defined by Intel. Check out the requirements for thermoregulation systems in the datasheet.
Available options for embedded systems
Embedded Options Available indicates products that provide extended purchase options for smart systems and embedded solutions. Product specifications and conditions of use are presented in the Production Release Qualification (PRQ) report. Please contact your Intel representative for details.
Max. memory size (depends on memory type)
Max. memory size refers to the maximum amount of memory supported by the processor.
Memory types
Intel® processors support four different types of memory: single channel, dual channel, triple channel, and Flex.
Max. number of memory channels
Application bandwidth depends on the number of memory channels.
Max. memory bandwidth
Max. memory bandwidth refers to the maximum rate at which data can be read from memory or stored in memory by the processor (in GB / s).
ECC memory support ‡
ECC memory support indicates the processor is supporting ECC memory. ECC memory is a type of memory that supports the identification and repair of common types of internal memory corruption. Note that ECC memory support requires both processor and chipset support.
Processor Graphics ‡
The graphic system of the processor is a graphic data processing circuit integrated into the processor, which forms the operation of the functions of the video system, computing processes, multimedia and information display. Intel® HD Graphics, Iris ™ Graphics, Iris Plus Graphics, and Iris Pro Graphics deliver advanced media conversion, high frame rates and 4K Ultra HD (UHD) video display capability. For more information see the Intel® Graphics Technology page.
Graphics base frequency
Graphics Base Frequency is the rated / guaranteed graphics rendering clock (MHz).
Max. dynamic graphics frequency
Max. Graphics Dynamic Frequency is the maximum conditional rendering frequency (MHz) supported by Intel® HD Graphics with Dynamic Frequency.
Intel® Quick Sync Video
Intel® Quick Sync Video Technology delivers fast video conversion for portable media players, web hosting, and video editing and creation.
InTru 3D technology
Intel InTru 3D technology plays back 3D stereoscopic Blu-ray * video at 1080p using HDMI * 1.4 and high-quality audio.
Intel® Flexible Display Interface (Intel® FDI)
Intel® Flexible Display is an innovative interface that allows you to display independent images on two channels using the integrated graphics.
Intel® Clear Video HD Technology
Intel® Clear Video HD Technology, like its predecessor Intel® Clear Video Technology, is a collection of video encoding and processing technologies built into the processor's integrated graphics. These technologies make video playback more stable and graphics clearer, more vibrant and more lifelike. Intel® Clear Video HD Technology delivers brighter colors and more lifelike skin through video enhancements.
PCI Express Revision
PCI Express revision is the version supported by the processor. PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) is a high-speed serial expansion bus standard for computers to connect hardware devices to. Different PCI Express versions support different data transfer rates.
Max. number of PCI Express lanes
The PCI Express (PCIe) lane consists of two differential signal pairs for receiving and transmitting data, and is the basic element of the PCIe bus. PCI Express lanes are the total lanes supported by the processor.
Supported connectors
A connector is a component that provides mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and the motherboard.
T CASE
The critical temperature is the maximum temperature allowed in the integrated heat spreader (IHS) of the processor.
Intel® Turbo Boost Technology ‡
Intel® Turbo Boost Technology dynamically increases the processor frequency to the desired level by taking advantage of the difference between the nominal and maximum values \u200b\u200bof the temperature and power consumption, which allows you to increase energy efficiency or "overclock" the processor when needed.
Intel® vPro ™ Platform Compliant ‡
The Intel vPro® platform is a collection of hardware and technologies used to create end-to-end business computing systems with high performance, built-in security, advanced management features, and platform stability.
Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology ‡
Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology (Intel® HT Technology) provides two processing threads for each physical core. Multi-threaded applications can perform more tasks in parallel, which greatly speeds up work.
Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x) ‡
Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I / O (VT-x) allows a single hardware platform to function as multiple “virtual” platforms. The technology improves management capabilities by reducing downtime and maintaining productivity by allocating separate partitions for compute operations.
Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I / O (VT-d) ‡
Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I / O augments virtualization support in IA-32 (VT-x) and Itanium® (VT-i) processors with I / O virtualization. Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I / O helps users increase system security and reliability and improve I / O performance in virtual environments.
Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT) ‡
Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables, also known as Second Level Address Translation (SLAT) technology, accelerates memory-intensive virtualized applications. Extended Page Tables on Intel® Virtualization Technology-enabled platforms reduce memory and power overhead and increase battery life through hardware optimized page forward management.
Intel® 64 architecture ‡
Intel® 64 architecture, when combined with the associated software, supports 64-bit applications on servers, workstations, desktops, and laptops.¹ Intel® 64 architecture delivers performance improvements that allow computing systems to use more than 4 GB of virtual and physical memory ...
Command set
An instruction set contains basic commands and instructions that the microprocessor understands and can execute. The value shown indicates which Intel instruction set the processor is compatible with.
Instruction set extensions
Instruction set extensions are additional instructions that you can use to improve performance when performing operations on multiple data objects. These include SSE (Support for SIMD Extensions) and AVX (Vector Extensions).
Idle states
Idle state (or C-state) mode is used to conserve power when the processor is idle. C0 means an operational state, that is, the CPU is currently doing useful work. C1 is the first idle state, C2 is the second idle state, and so on. The higher the numerical indicator of the C-state, the more energy-saving actions the program performs.
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology helps ensure high performance while meeting the power-saving requirements of mobile systems. Standard Intel SpeedStep® Technology allows voltage and frequency switching based on processor load. Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology is built on the same architecture and uses design strategies such as decoupling voltage and frequency changes, and clock distribution and recovery.
Thermal control technologies
Thermal management technologies protect the processor case and system from overheating failure with multiple thermal management features. The Digital Thermal Sensor (DTS) detects the core temperature, and thermal management functions reduce the power consumption of the processor chassis as needed, thereby lowering temperatures to ensure operation within normal operating specifications.
Intel® Fast Memory Access Technology
Intel® Fast Memory Access Technology is an advanced video memory controller block (GMCH) backbone architecture that improves system performance by optimizing the use of available bandwidth and reducing memory latency.
Intel® Flex Memory Access Technology
Intel® Flex Memory Access provides ease of upgrade with support for a variety of memory sizes operating in dual channel mode.
Intel® Privacy Shield Technology ‡
Intel® Privacy Shield Technology is built-in token-based security technology. This technology provides simple, reliable controls for online access to business and business data, protecting against security threats and fraud. Intel® Privacy Shield Technology uses hardware-based PC authentication mechanisms to authenticate your PC to websites, banking systems, and network services to ensure your PC is unique, protects against unauthorized access, and prevents malware attacks. Intel® Privacy Shield Technology can be used as a key component of two-factor authentication solutions designed to protect information on websites and control access to business applications.
Intel® AES New Instructions
Intel® AES New Instructions (Intel® AES New Instructions) are a set of commands that provide fast and secure encryption and decryption of data. AES-NI commands can be used to solve a wide range of cryptographic tasks, for example, in applications providing bulk encryption, decryption, authentication, random number generation, and authenticated encryption.
Intel® Trusted Execution Technology ‡
Intel® Trusted Execution Technology enhances secure command execution capabilities by hardware expansion of Intel® processors and chipsets. This technology provides security features such as measurable application launch and secure command execution for digital office platforms. It does this by creating an environment where applications run in isolation from other applications in the system.
Function Cancel Execute Bit ‡
The cancel execute bit is a hardware security feature that can help reduce vulnerability to viruses and malicious code and prevent malware from executing and spreading to a server or network.
17.02.2014 01:55
The time of the Sandy Bridge architecture has passed, the time has passed and. But even despite the leading position of the codenamed processors (at least for home systems of ordinary users), silicon veterans of the past can still demonstrate very good performance, fortunately, that not all of them have been discontinued. Moreover, the socket numbered LGA 1155 is still the most alive. And motherboards based on the top-end Intel Z77 chipset are actually stuffed with the most popular and relevant peripheral technologies. This means that there is still no big need to switch to Socket 1150. However, today we will not talk about that. A CPU called Intel Core i7-2600K came into our hands, albeit with a very long delay.
Intel Core i7 is Intel Core i7, with it the system works more than fast, it is felt when working in any application, the difference is especially clearly visible when switching to Intel Core i7-2600K with Intel Core i5 or even with third line processors.
There is a certain technical detail, which, albeit not so important, is reflected in systems based on Socket 1155, which is absent on the more modern platform for Socket 1150, which is quite natural. The fact is that the second generation of processors for LGA 1155 does not formally function with the PCI-Express 3.0 interface, but Ivy Bridge is quite capable. And some video cards, for example, the seventh series from NVIDIA, may not work quite correctly. But in most cases, the problem is solved by updating the motherboard software.
Quad core Intel Core i7-2600K processor with 8 threads (thanks to Hyper-Threading Virtualization Technology) based on process technology 32 nm... The nominal CPU clock speed is 3400 MHz (in turbo mode - 3800 MHz). L3 cache size is whole 8 MB, and this fact most attracts users who prefer speed when working with heavy graphics, rendering and other tasks that require resources for large amounts of data. However, the most important feature of the Intel Core i7-2600K, of course, is the unlocked multiplier, which allows you to conquer sky-high clock speeds and set world records if you are an avid PC enthusiast.
Even an aluminum cooler (of course rather big) is enough for a full-fledged heat sink from Intel Core i7-2600K.
Don't forget about the built-in graphics core of the generation HD Graphics 3000 (clock frequency - 1350 MHz). But this chip is not able to process DirectX 11 applications, besides, its performance is only suitable for viewing HD video, you should hardly count on more.
We decided to test Intel Core i7-2600K on ECS Z77H2-A2X (V1.0) motherboard, which allows you to increase the processor multiplier, as well as change the voltage on the core. Note that by pressing buttons automatic overclocking, which is present in the BIOS of the specified board, managed to conquer 4500 MHz, which is called with light hand... Pretty good result for automatic overclocking. By the way, ECS Z77H2-A2X (V1.0) in this mode adds for insurance +0.200 V to the rated voltage of the processor.
We managed to manually overclock Intel Core i7-2600K up to 4800 MHz by simply increasing the multiplier to 48 units, as well as increasing the voltage to 1.440 V.
Intel Core i7 is Intel Core i7, with it the system works more than quickly, it is felt when working in any application, the difference is especially clearly visible when switching to Intel Core i7-2600K with Intel Core i5 or even from processors. Take a look at the test results, they really correspond to the power that the tested person demonstrates a rock.
For cooling 95 watts For Intel Core i7-2600K, we used a DeepCool LUCIFER cooler. Note that the CO capabilities were more than enough, even for solid overclocking. On the one hand, the cooler is really powerful, but on the other hand, the heat dissipation of the reviewed processor cannot be called too high. Even an aluminum cooler (of course rather big) is enough for a full-fledged heat sink from Intel Core i7-2600K.
Intel Core i7-2600K production at Intel factories is gradually dwindling, but the retail price for the specified processor still causes some shudder.
We managed to manually overclock Intel Core i7-2600K to 4800 MHz by simply increasing the multiplier to 48 units, as well as increasing the voltage to 1.440V... At a higher clock speed, the processor did not behave as stable anymore, even some whimsexpressed in uncharacteristic reverie CPU and other symptoms that indicate the near limit of the capabilities of a particular instance. Based on these characteristics, the temperature of the hottest core in the S&M test did not rise above 67 Degree, which is quite worthy.
Intel Core i7-2600K production at Intel factories is gradually dwindling, but the retail price for the specified processor still causes some shudder. Cheaper 11,500 rubles finding 2600K is hardly possible. This is quite natural, because the performance that today's guest demonstrates is sufficient not only in 2014, it will be enough in a few years, this is obvious. And the price factor is hardly able to stop true connoisseurs of speed and users eager to conquer overclocking heights.
The test results of the Intel Core i7-2600K processor:
When it comes to choosing a productive processor, many potential buyers are guided only by the number of cores in it, forgetting about clock frequencies and implemented technologies. This approach to the selection has led to the emergence of multicore crystals on the market with a suspiciously low price. However, for many resource-intensive applications, 6-8 cores are useless.
In this article, the reader will get acquainted with a representative of the elite class - the I7 2600 processor, for which there are no restrictions. Any games and programs can work with it without problems. Features, tests and product reviews will allow the buyer to get to know the legendary representative of the computer market better.
Market positioning
The fact that the Intel Core I7 2600 crystal is designed for work, not games, is indicated by its cost (25,000 rubles). For comparison, a regular portable laptop costs the same. The manufacturer has placed the processor in the corporate niche, positioning it as a tool for working with complex calculations and resource-intensive applications. Graphics processing, video encoding, 3D modeling, complex mathematical calculations are the tasks for which this crystal is intended.
However, the company does not hide that the Intel Core I7 2600 CPU can be used in games as well. Quite a few reviews by independent laboratories confirm the high performance of the crystal with resource-intensive high-performance games. But all testing leads to the conclusion that buying an expensive processor for entertainment is unreasonable. But first things first.
Specifications
The successful modification of the Sandy Bridge crystal has long been discussed by many owners - the manufacturer managed to reach a compromise between high performance and heat dissipation, which all powerful processors suffer from. The working Core I7 2600 is 3.40 GHz. In mode, it easily increases to 3.80 GHz. And if you take into account the peculiarities of some motherboards to overclock the processors on their own, then the user can contemplate at high loads and 4.30 gigahertz, however, for this you have to worry about decent cooling for the crystal.
The processor's cache levels provide high performance. Only server solutions can boast of the L1 volume of 512 kilobytes. The second-level cache is also large - 1 megabyte, and the third-level cache is 8 MB. With such data, any mathematical calculations are within the power of this processor.
Decent opportunities
The I7 2600 processor is equipped with Hyper-Threading. This means that the user gets an additional 4 virtual cores to the 4 already available hardware. The owners will also be pleased with the presence of integrated graphics, although it is not at all intended for games - HD Graphics 2000 can replace the cheapest video adapter from the budget class. But for resource-intensive applications, this is a rather interesting resource, because the graphics adapter takes video memory from RAM.
The processor platform also supports a virtual environment: Intel VT-x and Intel VT-d, respectively, the crystal can be safely used for workstations and servers. The I7 2600 processor also has Intel TXT technology - the penetration of malicious codes into the computation is impossible at the hardware level.
Don't forget about video encoding support. Intel Quick Sync Video technology is implemented in hardware in this processor. True, the manufacturer is silent about the fact that the motherboard chipset must support this functionality. But, as practice shows, users buy the legendary processor with the corresponding price and motherboards with support for this technology.
Weak link
The overall impression of the Intel Core I7 2600 crystal is spoiled by the work with the RAM. DDR3 support is good, but there are problems with frequencies. The processor at the hardware level can synchronously operate at a frequency not exceeding 1333 MHz. For fans of rival AMD, this is a favorite topic of discussion, however, they have not found a suitable crystal that can compete in performance with the I7 2600.
There are also questions about heat dissipation. The processor, which is cold by definition (TDP 95 Watt), does not exceed the declared values \u200b\u200bin the normal mode. But in overclocking, it heats up very much, forcing all owners to get pretty nervous. There are several solutions here: to limit overclocking or to install a powerful cooling system. The second option is more popular, because everyone wants to have the most powerful processor at hand.
Mobile market
Intel manufacturer presented its product with integrated graphics and for mobile devices. Manufacturers did not limit its performance and provided the market with powerful laptops for performing complex tasks and games. There are many reviews of such mobile devices in the media. If we sum up the results of the tests of all laptops, the reader will come to the conclusion that there is still no decent mobile video card for the powerful Core I7 2600 processor that can unleash the full potential of the crystal.
Again, heat dissipation is a stumbling block for this processor. If in a personal computer the problem is solved by installing a powerful cooling system, then the situation with a mobile representative is more complicated. There are many negative user reviews on laptop overheating. You need to constantly clean your mobile device from dust and monitor the flow of cold air to the processor.
Higher, faster, stronger
And yet, many potential buyers are interested in comparing the legendary Intel representative with a direct competitor. It is quite possible to test the I7 2600 vs FX-9590, because the AMD representative, judging by its price and owner reviews, is the fastest representative on the processor market. Yes, when working with RAM at high frequencies, Intel shows unworthy performance in all synthetic tests. But then it becomes interesting.
The FX-9590 processor, with 8 hardware cores operating at 4.70 GHz, loses to the opponent in all crystal performance tests. Surprisingly, the AMD representative cannot get ahead both on tasks with one thread (one core works) and on multitasking (all cores are working). Attention, question: what are the advantages of the competitor FX-9590, which has more transistors, operates at high frequencies and demonstrates high performance with RAM?
Comparison with an Intel representative
Many potential buyers are interested in comparing the expensive product I7 2600 3.40 GHz with its affordable sibling Core. It is clear that the flagship of the processor line will show the best performance. Such tests are more interesting for users who want to save on purchase, because the price difference is about 30%, respectively, and the performance should differ within this indicator.
In all tests of gaming applications (at FullHD resolution of 1920 x 1080 dpi), both processors demonstrate the same performance. This suggests that the performance of the rest of the system components (memory, video card, hard drive, motherboard) is not enough to unleash the potential of the powerful I7 2600 processor. And if we talk about saving money, then, naturally, it is better to give priority to an inexpensive Core I5 \u200b\u200bcrystal.
Only the stars are higher
Quite different results await a potential buyer when testing processors in video encoding and 3D modeling. For example, with the I7 2600 crystal, CyberLink MediaEspresso, Nero Video and Sony Vegas applications create one hour of 720i video in 22 minutes. 2500 this task takes almost one hour. By the way, the legendary AMD representative overcame the task in 66 minutes, which is a decent indicator for a crystal with eight cores.
When working with 3D modeling, a lot depends on the video adapter. The integrated graphics core of the powerful I7 2600 processor, as shown by testing, is not enough. ZBrush and 3DS Max push the processor to its limit with the integrated graphics. But if you install a video card for non-linear video editing NVIDIA Quadro, and the load on the processor decreases.
About the cooling system
Logically, for the I7 2600 processor, the price of a decent cooler should come last for a potential buyer. An expensive crystal requires adequate cooling, and the choice of the owner should not fall on the representatives of the budget class. The price of decent cooling systems starts at 4000 rubles, and, as practice shows, ends with the financial capabilities of the buyer.
Brands such as Zalman, Noctua, Thermaltake and Scythe have proven themselves well. It is these manufacturers that are preferred by all test laboratories in the world. These brands are marketed as passive, water and air cooled systems. For a processor with a heat dissipation of 95 watts, a passive cooler is hardly suitable. Therefore, it is not advisable to rely on such systems. The air and water cooling of the I7 2600 will do just fine.
Finally
It will not be possible to draw an unambiguous conclusion from the review of the I7 2600 processor. The problem is that for every device on the market there is a specific task that is a priority. For the crystal under consideration, the selection criterion is fast data processing (mathematics, video, graphics, sound). After all, the manufacturer did not present it in vain in the corporate segment.
On the other hand, the processor demonstrates high performance in games, but the junior representative of the Intel line can compete with it for superiority in the tests. It turns out that the processor is not suitable for entertainment (from an economic point of view).
There are also questions about working with 3D modeling, which requires a powerful graphics accelerator. Naturally, many readers will have the idea of \u200b\u200bbuying a powerful video adapter and an inexpensive processor. And this option is quite reasonable. Whatever one may say, it will not be possible to come to a single solution until the potential buyer compiles a complete list of tasks that he wants to perform with the I7 2600 processor.
But all testing suggests that buying an expensive processor for entertainment is unreasonable.
For our readers, Intel products, in this case, processors are meant, are not a gimmick. Of course, you could already get acquainted with the features and innovations of the Sandy Bridge architecture, as well as with solutions based on this architecture: Core i3-2100, Core i3-2100T, Core i3-2120, Core i5-2300, Core i5-2400 , Core i5-2500K. That's how we slowly got to the "top" model of the line of processors based on Sandy Bridge - Intel Core i7-2600K. After studying the technical characteristics of the Intel Core i7-2600K processor, the base line of the second generation Intel Core i3 / i5 / i7 can be considered studied. The Intel Core i7-2600 model has several modifications, which are identified by the presence or absence of a letter at the end of the model number. Briefly about the modifications, we can say the following: Intel Core i7-2600 - the base model with a locked multiplier (clock frequency 3.4 GHz, TDP - 95 W); Intel Core i7-2600K - a model with an unlocked multiplier, which will allow the owner to overclock the processor without much effort (clock speed 3.4 GHz, TDP - 95 W); Intel Core i7-2600S - energy efficient processor option (clock speed 2.8 GHz, TDP - 65 W). Additionally, the processors of this model range have slight differences in the supported instructions and some other parameters (you can learn more about them from the comparison table on the manufacturer's website). In our case, it is the model that has the maximum computational potential that is being tested.
Appearance and packaging
As you may have noticed, we got a box processor for testing. The external design of the package is fully consistent with the traditions of the Intel Core i3 / i5 / i7 line. Please note that the thermal package of the second generation Intel Core i7 processor is 95 W. Actually, every potential buyer sees this when getting to know the product.
The package has a plastic window through which you can see the markings on the processor.
On the back side of the package, the developers provide information on the packaging of the boxed version of the processor and report a 3-year warranty. It is also emphasized that the processor is compatible with Socket LGA1155, and to use the capabilities of the integrated graphics core, you must use a chipset that supports this option. On the left side of the package, the key advantages of the Intel Core i7-2600K processor are noted: an unlocked multiplier, the presence of 4 cores and processing of 8 data streams, and, of course, support for the most notable Intel technologies (Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0, Intel Hyper-Threading Technology, Intel Smart Cache, Intel HD Graphics 3000).
On the right side wall there is a white sticker indicating: processor model (i7-2600K); processor clock speed (3.40 GHz); the amount of cache memory (8 MB); processor socket (LGA 1155); CPU TDP (95W), serial number and product code.
It is safe to say that the packaging is as informative as possible, which is quite natural, since each customer should know what he is giving his own money for. As for language support, there is nothing you can do about it; to understand the information on the box, you need to know at least basic English.
The set with the processor comes with a cooling system, a sticker on the system unit and instructions for installing the processor, which provides some explanations of warranty obligations.
Let's take a closer look at the complete cooling system. In our case, this is a cooler marked E97378-001, already familiar to us from the reviews of the Core i5-2400 and Core i5-2500K processors. Its manufacturer is DELTA. The fan power parameters are indicated on the central sticker (voltage 12 V, current 0.6 A).
The cooling system consists of a small cylindrical radiator with branching aluminum fins radially extending from a central copper heat sink. This radiator is cooled by a fan located on top and having blades with a sufficiently large angle of attack. The fan is powered by a 4-pin connector, which allows dynamic speed change using an economical PWM method. Factory thermal grease is applied to the surface of the central heat sink. In general, we can say that the complete set with a by no means budget processor includes a cooling system of the corresponding level with a fairly quiet operation mode. Such a cooler will be absolutely sufficient in case of operation at nominal parameters.
The processor cover shows the processor model (Intel Core i7-2600K), clock speed (3.4 GHz) and place of manufacture (Malaysia).
On the back side of the processor we can see the contacts of the LGA 1155 processor socket, which is native to processors based on Sandy Bridge architecture. Interestingly, the arrangement of the matching elements is exactly the same as that of the Core i5 series processors.
Specification
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Marking |
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CPU socket |
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Clock frequency, GHz |
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Maximum Turbo Boost frequency, GHz |
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Factor |
34 (unlocked) |
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Bus frequency, MHz |
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L1 cache size (Instruction Data), KB |
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L2 cache, KB |
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L3 cache, KB |
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Number of cores / threads |
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Instruction support |
MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, EM64T, VT-x, AES, AVX |
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Dissipated power, W |
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Critical temperature, ° C |
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Technical process |
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Technology support |
Intel Hyper-Threading Technology |
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Built-in memory controller |
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Maximum memory size, GB |
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Memory types |
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Memory channels |
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Maximum bandwidth, GB / s |
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ECC support |
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Integrated graphics |
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Computing conveyors, pcs |
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Working frequency, MHz |
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Maximum Turbo Boost frequency, MHz |
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The amount of used memory, GB |
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Supported APIs |
DirectX 10.1 (Shader Model 4.1) OpenGL 3.0 |
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Interface |
Intel FDI (2.7 GT / s) |
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Proprietary technologies |
Intel Quick Sync Video |
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HDCP support |
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Accelerate video decoding |
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Of course, the CPU-Z utility confirms these specifications. Thanks to it, we can clearly record that the processor is made using 32 nm technology, the voltage on the core is 1.160 V, and the clock frequency at the time of taking the readings was 3410.8 MHz.
The first level cache of the Intel Core i7-2600K processor is 64 KB per core, of which 32 KB is used for data caching and the same for instructions (8 association lines are used). Additionally, in the second block, space is allocated for the decoded micro-op cache. The L2 cache is 256 KB per core (8 association lines are also used). The L3 cache is shared by the entire processor and is 8 MB (16 association lines).
Intel Core i7-2600K dual-channel DDR3 memory controller supports DDR3-1066 and DDR3-1333 memory. If the processor is used in motherboards based on the Intel P67 Express chipset, you can easily install and work with DDR3 modules at frequencies up to 2400 MHz.
Testing
During testing we used Processor Test Bench # 1
| Motherboards (AMD) | ASUS M3A32-MVP DELUXE (AMD 790FX, sAM2 +, DDR2, ATX) GIGABYTE GA-MA790XT-UD4P (AMD 790X, sAM3, DDR3, ATX) |
| Motherboards (AMD) | ASUS F1A75-V PRO (AMD A75, sFM1, DDR3, ATX) ASUS SABERTOOTH 990FX (AMD 990FX, sAM3 +, DDR3, ATX) |
| Motherboards (Intel) | GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P (Intel P45, LGA 775, DDR2, ATX) GIGABYTE GA-EX58-DS4 (Intel X58, LGA 1366, DDR3, ATX) |
| Motherboards (Intel) | ASUS Maximus III Formula (Intel P55, LGA 1156, DDR3, ATX) MSI H57M-ED65 (Intel H57, LGA 1156, DDR3, mATX) |
| Motherboards (Intel) | ASUS P8Z68-V PRO (Intel Z68, sLGA1155, DDR3, ATX) ASUS P9X79 PRO (Intel X79, sLGA2011, DDR3, ATX) |
| Coolers | Noctua NH-U12P + LGA1366 KitScythe Kama Angle rev.B (LGA 1156/1366) ZALMAN CNPS12X (LGA 2011) |
| RAM | 2х DDR2-1200 1024 MB Kingston HyperX KHX9600D2K2 / 2G2 / 3x DDR3-2000 1024 MB Kingston HyperX KHX16000D3T1K3 / 3GX |
| Video cards | EVGA e-GeForce 8600 GTS 256MB GDDR3 PCI-EASUS EN9800GX2 / G / 2DI / 1G GeForce 9800 GX2 1GB GDDR3 PCI-E 2.0 |
| HDD | Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB SATA-300 NCQ |
| Power Supply | Seasonic SS-650JT, 650 W, Active PFC, 80 PLUS, 120 mm fan |
Choose what you want to compare Intel Core i7-2600K with
As a result of testing, you can see that the Intel Core i7-2600K processor quite confidently competes with the six-core Intel Core i7-980X, which has a 3-channel memory controller, but the computing power of 8 virtual cores is still often not enough. As for the Intel Core i5-2500K processor, having a lower clock speed, as well as 2 MB less L3 cache and not using Intel Hyper-Threading technology, it is naturally inferior to Intel Core i7-2600K, especially in heavy computing tasks. It is quite difficult to find competitors among the 6-core processors from AMD - they still lack the strength to "provide worthy resistance." Activating Intel Turbo Boost technology provides dynamic acceleration up to 3.8 GHz, which provides up to 7% more performance in some tasks without any additional costs and optimizations. However, in the case of assembling a gaming system, the Intel Core i7-2600K processor (like the neo-tech version of the Intel Core i7-2600) may not be the best choice, because you will not be able to use its full potential - most likely, an Intel Core i5-2500 processor will be enough for you.
Overclocking
Well, the performance of the processor at the nominal parameters has been determined, but do not forget that the processor has an unlocked multiplier, so you need to find out what else the “stone” is capable of and why this processor costs $ 25-30 more than the Intel Core i7 version -2600. Changing the multiplier value in BIOS, we stop at the x49 value.
It is not difficult to understand that the clock speed of the processor was 4.9 GHz, while the voltage on the core was 1.44 V. We draw your attention to the fact that with such an overclocking of the system, it is necessary to purchase a productive cooling system in advance. The table below shows the performance indicators in nominal mode and after overclocking the processor.
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Test package |
Result |
Increase in productivity,% |
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|
Rated frequency |
Overclocked processor |
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Rendering, |
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Shading, |
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Fritz Chess Benchmark v.4.2, knodes / s |
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World in Conflict v.1.0.0.9, |
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DirectX 9, |
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DirectX 10, |
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The average performance gain of an Intel Core i7-2600K processor after accelerating to 4.9 GHz is 21.82%. At the same time, for gaming applications, a 10% increase in performance is not as significant as in computational tasks, where the performance gain is simply colossal: 42% - for mathematical operations; 51% - when rendering images. Naturally, the Intel Core i7-2600K model will be in demand among overclocking enthusiasts, which, as we see, is not unreasonable. This processor has already successfully set records for overcoming the "psychological barrier" at 6 GHz (not many processor models can boast of such potential).
power usage
The overclocking potential of the Intel Core i7-2600K processor is quite good, but let's look at the power consumption of the "titanium".
|
Processor name |
Simple, W |
LinX, W |
EVEREST 5.0, W |
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AMD Athlon II X2 220 |
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AMD Athlon II X3 455 |
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AMD Phenom II X3 720 BE |
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AMD Phenom II X4 970 BE |
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AMD Phenom II X6 1100T |
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Intel Core i3-2100T |
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Intel Core i3-2100 |
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Intel Core i3-2120 |
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Intel Core I5-2300 |
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Intel Core i5-2400 |
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Intel Core i5-2500K |
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Intel Core i7-2600K |
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Intel Core i7-2600K @ 4900 1.44V |
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Intel Pentium G850 |
Of course, such computing power does not pass without leaving a trace on the processor's "appetite". The power consumption of the system at nominal characteristics is close to the lower-end second-generation Intel Core i3 / i5 processors, but after overclocking and under load it reaches the level of 6-core AMD processors, although, of course, it is somewhat lower (the optimized Sandy Bridge architecture makes itself felt know). Well, for serious tasks you need a serious assistant, who has the corresponding power consumption.
conclusions
The time has come to take stock of our research. The Intel Core i7-2600K processor shows really excellent performance. A system based on this processor will be a wonderful assistant in solving really serious computing tasks. The overclocking potential of this model will delight any overclocker. However, a gaming system based on such a "titanium" will not be the most optimal investment, because for gaming tasks, in the vast majority of cases, Intel Core i5-2500 will be enough.
The power consumption of the processor at the nominal parameters is identical to the indicators typical for 2- and 4-core Intel Core i3 / i5 processors of the second generation. When overclocking the processor, you are guaranteed to get an excellent increase in computing power, but as a side effect there will be higher power consumption, so when overclocking Intel Core i7-2600K, you should pay attention to choosing a high-quality motherboard with a serious processor power system and a high-performance cooling system. The only negative point can be called the cost of this engineering solution ($ 330-340), but this is more a matter of capabilities and needs. Do not forget about the integrated graphics core Intel HD Graphics 3000, the capabilities of which will be enough to successfully compete with entry-level graphics cards.
Product release date.
Delay expected
Expected Retirement - This is an estimate of the time at which the product will begin the retirement process. A Product Discontinuance Notice (PDN) posted at the start of the process will include all of the key phases of the discontinuation. Some divisions may report retirement dates prior to PDN publication. Please contact your Intel representative for information on retirement times and extension options.
Lithography
Lithography indicates the semiconductor technology used to manufacture the integrated chipsets and the report is shown in nanometer (nm), which indicates the size of the features built into the semiconductor.
Number of Cores
Core count is a hardware term that describes the number of independent central processing units in a single computing component (die).
Number of threads
A thread or thread of execution is a software term for a basic ordered sequence of instructions that can be transmitted or processed by a single CPU core.
CPU base clock speed
The base frequency of the processor is the rate at which the processor transistors open / close. The processor base frequency is the operating point where the TDP is set. Frequency is measured in gigahertz (GHz) or billions of computational cycles per second.
Maximum clock speed with Turbo Boost technology
Turbo Maximum Clock Speed \u200b\u200bis the maximum clock speed of a single core processor that can be achieved with the Intel® Turbo Boost Technology and Intel® Thermal Velocity Boost Technology supported. Frequency is measured in gigahertz (GHz) or billions of computational cycles per second.
Cache memory
The processor cache is an area of \u200b\u200bhigh-speed memory located within the processor. Intel® Smart Cache refers to the architecture that allows all cores to dynamically share last-level cache access.
System bus frequency
A bus is a subsystem that transfers data between components of a computer or between computers. An example is the system bus (FSB), through which data is exchanged between the processor and the memory controller unit; DMI, which is a point-to-point connection between the Intel Integrated Memory Controller and the Intel I / O Controller Hub on the motherboard; and a Quick Path Interconnect (QPI) interface between the processor and the integrated memory controller.
Design power
Thermal Design Power (TDP) refers to the average performance in watts when the processor is dissipating power (at base clock with all cores engaged) under a complex load as defined by Intel. Check out the requirements for thermoregulation systems in the datasheet.
Available options for embedded systems
Embedded Options Available indicates products that provide extended purchase options for smart systems and embedded solutions. Product specifications and conditions of use are presented in the Production Release Qualification (PRQ) report. Please contact your Intel representative for details.
Max. memory size (depends on memory type)
Max. memory size refers to the maximum amount of memory supported by the processor.
Memory types
Intel® processors support four different types of memory: single channel, dual channel, triple channel, and Flex.
Max. number of memory channels
Application bandwidth depends on the number of memory channels.
Max. memory bandwidth
Max. memory bandwidth refers to the maximum rate at which data can be read from memory or stored in memory by the processor (in GB / s).
ECC memory support ‡
ECC memory support indicates the processor is supporting ECC memory. ECC memory is a type of memory that supports the identification and repair of common types of internal memory corruption. Note that ECC memory support requires both processor and chipset support.
Processor Graphics ‡
The graphic system of the processor is a graphic data processing circuit integrated into the processor, which forms the operation of the functions of the video system, computing processes, multimedia and information display. Intel® HD Graphics, Iris ™ Graphics, Iris Plus Graphics, and Iris Pro Graphics deliver advanced media conversion, high frame rates and 4K Ultra HD (UHD) video display capability. For more information see the Intel® Graphics Technology page.
Graphics base frequency
Graphics Base Frequency is the rated / guaranteed graphics rendering clock (MHz).
Max. dynamic graphics frequency
Max. Graphics Dynamic Frequency is the maximum conditional rendering frequency (MHz) supported by Intel® HD Graphics with Dynamic Frequency.
Intel® Quick Sync Video
Intel® Quick Sync Video Technology delivers fast video conversion for portable media players, web hosting, and video editing and creation.
InTru 3D technology
Intel InTru 3D technology plays back 3D stereoscopic Blu-ray * video at 1080p using HDMI * 1.4 and high-quality audio.
Intel® Flexible Display Interface (Intel® FDI)
Intel® Flexible Display is an innovative interface that allows you to display independent images on two channels using the integrated graphics.
Intel® Clear Video HD Technology
Intel® Clear Video HD Technology, like its predecessor Intel® Clear Video Technology, is a collection of video encoding and processing technologies built into the processor's integrated graphics. These technologies make video playback more stable and graphics clearer, more vibrant and more lifelike. Intel® Clear Video HD Technology delivers brighter colors and more lifelike skin through video enhancements.
PCI Express Revision
PCI Express revision is the version supported by the processor. PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) is a high-speed serial expansion bus standard for computers to connect hardware devices to. Different PCI Express versions support different data transfer rates.
Max. number of PCI Express lanes
The PCI Express (PCIe) lane consists of two differential signal pairs for receiving and transmitting data, and is the basic element of the PCIe bus. PCI Express lanes are the total lanes supported by the processor.
Supported connectors
A connector is a component that provides mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and the motherboard.
T CASE
The critical temperature is the maximum temperature allowed in the integrated heat spreader (IHS) of the processor.
Intel® Turbo Boost Technology ‡
Intel® Turbo Boost Technology dynamically increases the processor frequency to the desired level by taking advantage of the difference between the nominal and maximum values \u200b\u200bof the temperature and power consumption, which allows you to increase energy efficiency or "overclock" the processor when needed.
Intel® vPro ™ Platform Compliant ‡
The Intel vPro® platform is a collection of hardware and technologies used to create end-to-end business computing systems with high performance, built-in security, advanced management features, and platform stability.
Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology ‡
Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology (Intel® HT Technology) provides two processing threads for each physical core. Multi-threaded applications can perform more tasks in parallel, which greatly speeds up work.
Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x) ‡
Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I / O (VT-x) allows a single hardware platform to function as multiple “virtual” platforms. The technology improves management capabilities by reducing downtime and maintaining productivity by allocating separate partitions for compute operations.
Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I / O (VT-d) ‡
Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I / O augments virtualization support in IA-32 (VT-x) and Itanium® (VT-i) processors with I / O virtualization. Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I / O helps users increase system security and reliability and improve I / O performance in virtual environments.
Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT) ‡
Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables, also known as Second Level Address Translation (SLAT) technology, accelerates memory-intensive virtualized applications. Extended Page Tables on Intel® Virtualization Technology-enabled platforms reduce memory and power overhead and increase battery life through hardware optimized page forward management.
Intel® 64 architecture ‡
Intel® 64 architecture, when combined with the associated software, supports 64-bit applications on servers, workstations, desktops, and laptops.¹ Intel® 64 architecture delivers performance improvements that allow computing systems to use more than 4 GB of virtual and physical memory ...
Command set
An instruction set contains basic commands and instructions that the microprocessor understands and can execute. The value shown indicates which Intel instruction set the processor is compatible with.
Instruction set extensions
Instruction set extensions are additional instructions that you can use to improve performance when performing operations on multiple data objects. These include SSE (Support for SIMD Extensions) and AVX (Vector Extensions).
Idle states
Idle state (or C-state) mode is used to conserve power when the processor is idle. C0 means an operational state, that is, the CPU is currently doing useful work. C1 is the first idle state, C2 is the second idle state, and so on. The higher the numerical indicator of the C-state, the more energy-saving actions the program performs.
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology helps ensure high performance while meeting the power-saving requirements of mobile systems. Standard Intel SpeedStep® Technology allows voltage and frequency switching based on processor load. Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology is built on the same architecture and uses design strategies such as decoupling voltage and frequency changes, and clock distribution and recovery.
Thermal control technologies
Thermal management technologies protect the processor case and system from overheating failure with multiple thermal management features. The Digital Thermal Sensor (DTS) detects the core temperature, and thermal management functions reduce the power consumption of the processor chassis as needed, thereby lowering temperatures to ensure operation within normal operating specifications.
Intel® Fast Memory Access Technology
Intel® Fast Memory Access Technology is an advanced video memory controller block (GMCH) backbone architecture that improves system performance by optimizing the use of available bandwidth and reducing memory latency.
Intel® Flex Memory Access Technology
Intel® Flex Memory Access provides ease of upgrade with support for a variety of memory sizes operating in dual channel mode.
Intel® Privacy Shield Technology ‡
Intel® Privacy Shield Technology is built-in token-based security technology. This technology provides simple, reliable controls for online access to business and business data, protecting against security threats and fraud. Intel® Privacy Shield Technology uses hardware-based PC authentication mechanisms to authenticate your PC to websites, banking systems, and network services to ensure your PC is unique, protects against unauthorized access, and prevents malware attacks. Intel® Privacy Shield Technology can be used as a key component of two-factor authentication solutions designed to protect information on websites and control access to business applications.
Intel® AES New Instructions
Intel® AES New Instructions (Intel® AES New Instructions) are a set of commands that provide fast and secure encryption and decryption of data. AES-NI commands can be used to solve a wide range of cryptographic tasks, for example, in applications providing bulk encryption, decryption, authentication, random number generation, and authenticated encryption.
Intel® Trusted Execution Technology ‡
Intel® Trusted Execution Technology enhances secure command execution capabilities by hardware expansion of Intel® processors and chipsets. This technology provides security features such as measurable application launch and secure command execution for digital office platforms. It does this by creating an environment where applications run in isolation from other applications in the system.
Function Cancel Execute Bit ‡
The cancel execute bit is a hardware security feature that can help reduce vulnerability to viruses and malicious code and prevent malware from executing and spreading to a server or network.
