Core i7 2nd generation "Sandy Bridge, what's known + future

[IntelUser2000]

Just like the title states, this thread is for the things known for Sandy Bridge, and also for future roadmaps.

What I know:
-P67 is for overclocking CPU
-H67 is for overclocking the GPU
-So far, it seems the memory multiplier is also unlocked with P67 chipsets, regardless of the SKU(I will check this and other things out with my 2600 + H67 combo when it arrives in a few days).
-With proper BIOS settings, QuickSync can work when the discrete GPU is installed on a H67 motherboard. Multi-monitor support in conjunction with the IGP is also supported
-Intel Insider tech, shouldn't affect playback of content that's already stored on the drive

Speculative/Future
-It seems Socket 13xx is really gone, replaced with Socket 2011.
-Two variants of Socket 2011 platforms planned. One is a entry-level workstation/server/enthusiast oriented version with 3-channels, and other is a 4P capable and high end 4-channel version
-Anandtech is saying Enthusiast Socket 2011 chips are 4-6 cores
-Q4 release date for Socket 2011
-The rumored 2.5MB L3/core doesn't fit with the die layout. Remember how everyone thought the Socket 1155 chip would have only 6MB L3? I wouldn't be surprised if the S2011 chips have same L3 cache as the current S1155 chips

 

[Edrick]

Any word on the PCIe lanes and version of socket 2011? Or the rumors that the chipset will support SAS?

 

[mnewsham]

PCI-e 3.0 and 40 lanes last i heard

 

[Castiel]

SAS? Mmmmm

 

[IntelUser2000]

I think whatever was planned for the now-defunct Socket 1356 platform will be for the consumer/enthusiast oriented version of Socket 2011. That makes 32 PCI Express 3.0 lanes and probably no SAS. Dual graphics cards using x16 lanes or quad using x8.

 

[mnewsham]

I think whatever was planned for the now-defunct Socket 1356 platform will be for the consumer/enthusiast oriented version of Socket 2011. That makes 32 PCI Express 3.0 lanes and probably no SAS. Dual graphics cards using x16 lanes or quad using x8.

I was under the impression of 40 PCI lanes 32 for x16 x16 and then 8 more lanes for other devices?

 

[nyker96]

I was under the impression of 40 PCI lanes 32 for x16 x16 and then 8 more lanes for other devices?

other than graphics card, do anyone here actually use any PCIe expansion cards? To be honest, I love it when they increase da lanes but haven't found any real use other than graphcis cards for these extra PCIe lanes.

 

[mnewsham]

other than graphics card, do anyone here actually use any PCIe expansion cards? To be honest, I love it when they increase da lanes but haven't found any real use other than graphcis cards for these extra PCIe lanes.

My current MB has an SATA 6Gb/s expansion/ USB 3
because it didnt come with USB 3 or SATA 6gb/s

 

[IntelUser2000]

other than graphics card, do anyone here actually use any PCIe expansion cards? To be honest, I love it when they increase da lanes but haven't found any real use other than graphcis cards for these extra PCIe lanes.

Yea, that's true. I wish there's a motherboard that only brings 1 slot of each(PCI Express x1 and PCI), so its not wasted. With everything integrated, the slots are useless. Graphics, yea fine, but sound, LAN. Unfortunately I have a PCI wireless N card so still need one. I'm pretty sure I have 3 slots of each kind though.

That's why it makes sense for 40 lanes, the 8 lanes could be used by 10GbE for example on the server. For enthusiasts, not so much.

 

[RussianSensation]

PCI-e 3.0 and 40 lanes last i heard

It's more likely that PCIe 3.0 won't be out until 2012. Not only that, but no current graphics can even saturate PCIe 1.0 16x to make the difference notable enough to care.

 

[BathroomFeeling]

They're not useless. Should sound and/or LAN ever break (as it did on my mobo, LAN anyway), you won't be left footing an unnecessary bill to replace the entire mobo, when a simple and cheap card replacement would've sufficed.

Don't know about PCIe, but there should be at least two PCI slots available should Ms. Bad Luck ever come knocking.

 

[IntelUser2000]

They should have either left PCI alone for peripheral devices, or moved quickly to PCI Express x1 slots. The way it stands now, you can't do either very well. There's barely any PCI Express x1 devices, but the chipsets are starting to obsolete normal PCI slots.

Even wireless cards on desktops are being replaced by USB connected ones.

Not only that, but no current graphics can even saturate PCIe 1.0 16x to make the difference notable enough to care.

I think they mattered for multi-GPU setups, but yea, PCI Express 2.0 means the new 8 = old 16

 

[mnewsham]

It's more likely that PCIe 3.0 won't be out until 2012. Not only that, but no current graphics can even saturate PCIe 1.0 16x to make the difference notable enough to care.

The socket can support it without a MB having it, release MB's might not have 3.0 but later ones will i think.

 

[Dadofamunky]

other than graphics card, do anyone here actually use any PCIe expansion cards? To be honest, I love it when they increase da lanes but haven't found any real use other than graphcis cards for these extra PCIe lanes.

I've been eying OCZ's PCIE x4 SSD cards, their prices have been creeping down. Might pull the trigger on one of those in a couple of months...

Oh, and jeez, can you imagine having four video cards in a system?!?!?

 

[dac7nco]

other than graphics card, do anyone here actually use any PCIe expansion cards? To be honest, I love it when they increase da lanes but haven't found any real use other than graphcis cards for these extra PCIe lanes.

NIC is x8: Intel E10G41AT2
RAID is x8: LSI 9260-16i

 

[imaheadcase]

What is timeframe for sandybridge WITHOUT the gpu on die? I heard rumor they was going to make a desktop version of it (sort of speak) without the GPU to lower cost and cooling it.

 

[mnewsham]

What is timeframe for sandybridge WITHOUT the gpu on die? I heard rumor they was going to make a desktop version of it (sort of speak) without the GPU to lower cost and cooling it.

Last I heard it was Q4

 

[Edrick]

I mentioned this before, and I will bring it up again.

What are the chances that LGA2011 debuts with 22nm chips?

It just seems strange that Intel would release a new (high priced) enthusiast platform in Q4 2011 on a very mature 32nm process, that will be almost 2 years old at that point, when 22nm IB should be released around CES 2012 (Jan). Then make them wait until Q4 2012 to make the move to IB for LAG2011, when Haswell is right around the corner?

It just doesn't seem like a good plan in my humble opinion.

 

[Castiel]

I mentioned this before, and I will bring it up again.

What are the chances that LGA2011 debuts with 22nm chips?

It just seems strange that Intel would release a new (high priced) enthusiast platform in Q4 2011 on a very mature 32nm process, that will be almost 2 years old at that point, when 22nm IB should be released around CES 2012 (Jan). Then make them wait until Q4 2012 to make the move to IB for LAG2011, when Haswell is right around the corner?

It just doesn't seem like a good plan in my humble opinion.

Last I read 2011 will get 32nm xeons sandy bridge chips

 

[AdamK47]

Speculative/Future
-It seems Socket 13xx is really gone, replaced with Socket 2011.
-Two variants of Socket 2011 platforms planned. One is a entry-level workstation/server/enthusiast oriented version with 3-channels, and other is a 4P capable and high end 4-channel version
-Anandtech is saying Enthusiast Socket 2011 chips are 4-6 cores
-Q4 release date for Socket 2011
-The rumored 2.5MB L3/core doesn't fit with the die layout. Remember how everyone thought the Socket 1155 chip would have only 6MB L3? I wouldn't be surprised if the S2011 chips have same L3 cache as the current S1155 chips

Where can I buy this socket 2011 board?

 

[IntelUser2000]

I mentioned this before, and I will bring it up again.

What are the chances that LGA2011 debuts with 22nm chips?

It just seems strange that Intel would release a new (high priced) enthusiast platform in Q4 2011 on a very mature 32nm process, that will be almost 2 years old at that point, when 22nm IB should be released around CES 2012 (Jan). Then make them wait until Q4 2012 to make the move to IB for LAG2011, when Haswell is right around the corner?

It just doesn't seem like a good plan in my humble opinion.

It has to do all with platform lifespan and validation. The server platforms require more validation time. If the LGA2011 platforms really go into the high end too, it'll take longer time. I also understand there might have been a bit of an internal delay. But bringing it to 22nm would mean mid-2012, way too long of a gap for the server market.

 

[Edrick]

It has to do all with platform lifespan and validation. The server platforms require more validation time. If the LGA2011 platforms really go into the high end too, it'll take longer time. I also understand there might have been a bit of an internal delay. But bringing it to 22nm would mean mid-2012, way too long of a gap for the server market.

Agreed. But you did mention that LGA2011 could be split into 2 different platforms (one with tripple channel and one with quad). So maybe one debuts at 22nm and the server one stays on 32nm. Not saying it is likely, but just throwing it out there. Maybe its more wishful thinking on my part.

 

[Edrick]

Anyone else curious as to why in the middle of Feb. we have no new real information on LGA2011 cpu's or boards? We seem to know more about Ivy Bridge (LGA1155) which is due out later.

Personally, I have no interest in IB on LGA1155 as all the IGP improvements do not impact me (but they are nice improvements). Feed me info on SB-E or Haswell!

 

[Twsmit]

Also don't forget Z68 chipset in Q2 2011. Should add SSD buffering and support for quicksync and video output. Essentially it's a fusion of P67 and H67 plus the SSD feature.

 

[IntelEnthusiast]

Just like the title states, this thread is for the things known for Sandy Bridge, and also for future roadmaps.

What I know:
-P67 is for overclocking CPU
-H67 is for overclocking the GPU
-So far, it seems the memory multiplier is also unlocked with P67 chipsets, regardless of the SKU(I will check this and other things out with my 2600 + H67 combo when it arrives in a few days).
-With proper BIOS settings, QuickSync can work when the discrete GPU is installed on a H67 motherboard. Multi-monitor support in conjunction with the IGP is also supported
-Intel Insider tech, shouldn't affect playback of content that's already stored on the drive

Speculative/Future
-It seems Socket 13xx is really gone, replaced with Socket 2011.
-Two variants of Socket 2011 platforms planned. One is a entry-level workstation/server/enthusiast oriented version with 3-channels, and other is a 4P capable and high end 4-channel version
-Anandtech is saying Enthusiast Socket 2011 chips are 4-6 cores
-Q4 release date for Socket 2011
-The rumored 2.5MB L3/core doesn't fit with the die layout. Remember how everyone thought the Socket 1155 chip would have only 6MB L3? I wouldn't be surprised if the S2011 chips have same L3 cache as the current S1155 chips

Hello all,
My name is Chris and I am with Intel® I will be stopping by these forums from time to time to answer questions on Intel products. While they are going to be things that I can’t comment on I thought I would chime in on some of the stuff on this thread.
-P67 is for a person that will be adding in a graphic card it has no support for on chip graphics. Because of this the board is more designed for an enthusiast or media user.
-H67 these boards have support for the on chip graphics. Most of them are designed for the media environment it is important to note that they all come with a PCI-e x16 slot for an add-in graphic card.
-Overclocking: Right now Intel has only one board that comes with the software/set up to overclock a CPU and that is the DP67BG, which is one of our Extreme series boards. I can tell you that Gigabyte (I haven’t looked at any other companies' boards) has both H67 and P67 boards that can be overclocked.
As far as anything in the speculative/future area I am unable to comment on them.

Christian Wood
Intel Enthusiast Team