Dangerous to use an i7 on a mITX board?

[Synomenon]

On more than one review now of the Zotac H55 ITX board, I've seen the reviewer mention that the H55 ITX (w/ socket 1156) is a great match for i3 and i5 processors and that i7 processors might tax the board too much.

If I use an i7 860 on this board, will I damage it?

I don't get it, the i7 860 is a quad core like the i5 750 and they're both 95w processors.

Why would the reviewer say that this board is great w/ i3 and i5 processors then warn about using i7 processors when they have i5 processors with very similar power and thermal specifications as some of the i7 processors?

 

[EarthwormJim]

The reviews probably were generalizing i3 and i5's as dual cores since there's only one quad core i5.

There's no real cooling on the VRMs, and the board size really doesn't give a lot of room for many phases.

If you do not plan on overclocking, you'll be fine with a quad core.

If you step up to micro ATX, that really opens the door to nice overclocking boards.

 

[Synomenon]

I don't overclock, but both the i7 and i5 processors I was looking at has this feature called "Turbo Boost" that might overclock them I think.

I'm moving up from a Q9550. Not sure yet whether I want to go with an i7-860 or i5-750s.

 

[EarthwormJim]

I don't overclock, but both the i7 and i5 processors I was looking at has this feature called "Turbo Boost" that might overclock them I think.

I'm moving up from a Q9550. Not sure yet whether I want to go with an i7-860 or i5-750s.

Turbo boost won't exceed the TDP, it doesn't really raise the power requirements above what 4 cores at 100% load would be.

 

[alyarb]

one or two cores under turbo still uses less power than 4 cores at their 95- watt-rated speed. don't worry about exceeding TDP with a stock i7.

 

[cbn]

On more than one review now of the Zotac H55 ITX board, I've seen the reviewer mention that the H55 ITX (w/ socket 1156) is a great match for i3 and i5 processors and that i7 processors might tax the board too much.

Maybe he is talking about Overclocking with Core i7?

Doesn't enabling hyperthreading use up a few more watts/increase heat?

P.S. Based on information I have gathered mini-itx boards like DFI P55 have VRMs on the back of the PCB due to space limitations. Apparently this part of the mainboard can fail due to lack of cooling if the power draw gets too high.

 

[cbn]

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/mo.../dfi-mi-p55-t36-mini-itx-motherboard-review/3

DFI includes some overclocking profiles in its CMOS Reloaded section - 160MHz Baseclock for a Core i7 and 180MHz Baseclock for a Core i5: the latter putting less demands on the power hardware so it can be pushed further.

It does appear i7 puts more stress on the mainboard, but maybe this is because of the higher multiplier setting rather than the HT?

 

[EarthwormJim]

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/mo.../dfi-mi-p55-t36-mini-itx-motherboard-review/3



It does appear i7 puts more stress on the mainboard, but maybe this is because of the higher multiplier setting rather than the HT?

Yes because of the multiplier difference.

 

[Synomenon]

Ok, it's not too late for me to cancel my order since the place I ordered from is out of stock of the i7-860s. They did just get the i7-875k in stock and it's around $20 cheaper than the i7-860s.

Should I cancel my current order for the 860s and get the 875k even though it's 95W vs. the 860s's 82W?

I'm not going to be overclocking, but I will be activating / using the "Turbo Boost" feature.

 

[EarthwormJim]

Ok, it's not too late for me to cancel my order since the place I ordered from is out of stock of the i7-860s. They did just get the i7-875k in stock and it's around $20 cheaper than the i7-860s.

Should I cancel my current order for the 860s and get the 875k even though it's 95W vs. the 860s's 82W?

I'm not going to be overclocking, but I will be activating / using the "Turbo Boost" feature.

It will be fine.

 

[Synomenon]

Cool. Just placed an order for an 875k.

 

[Synomenon]

I just noticed that the 860s has these features over the 875k:

- Intel Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)
- Intel Trusted Execution Technology


Are either of those important if I run multiple VMs?

 

[EarthwormJim]

I just noticed that the 860s has these features over the 875k:

- Intel Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)
- Intel Trusted Execution Technology


Are either of those important if I run multiple VMs?

The trusted execution is to combat attacks and also aid DRM. I wouldn't worry about that at all.

The lack of VT-d is interesting. I have no idea why it wouldn't be included. I'd wait for someone who knows more about virtualization to chime in.

It could also be a mistake on Intel's part. It makes zero sense for it to be disabled, since it is a lynnfield chip.