i7 Vs. i7 860/i5 Memory controller /channels

lytalbayre

Senior member
Apr 28, 2005
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Maybe I'm confused cause I've been out of the game for a couple years, but wouldn't the 3-channel DDR and 2.4Ghz FSB trump any processor with 2-channel memory?

I was thinking about putting together a new rig, and i7 920 seems like a good buy, but there's all sorts of people waiting for i5 or the i7860...


Any real world performance comparisons or opinions here on AT?

Thanks.
 

Phynaz

Lifer
Mar 13, 2006
10,140
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Running an application that is so memory dependent that is saturates two memory channels?

Then get an I7

If you're not using two channels, then why pay for three?
 

ilkhan

Golden Member
Jul 21, 2006
1,117
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1: theres nothing saying you have to fill the 3rd slot, the 9xx line runs just fine in dual channel mode.
2: its also 50% more slots (so 6GB vs 4, 12GB v 8)
3: bClock != QPI != FSB. 4.8GT works quite well, and we're glad the FSB is dead.
 

n7

Elite Member
Jan 4, 2004
21,281
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81
$$$

s1156 platform overall will be cheaper.
Initially, pricing will be gougetastic, no doubt.

Other than CF/SLI, i see very little reason to waste money on s1366.
Triple channel vs. dual channel in real world applications = zero difference.
 

faxon

Platinum Member
May 23, 2008
2,109
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Originally posted by: n7
$$$

s1156 platform overall will be cheaper.
Initially, pricing will be gougetastic, no doubt.

Other than CF/SLI, i see very little reason to waste money on s1366.
Triple channel vs. dual channel in real world applications = zero difference.

frys already has their in store prices for a wide range of S1156 motherboards listed, and the i5 750 and i7 860 in stock. all prices listed in store are within $5 of MSRP, i hardly call that price gouging

ed: we also have an intel media series board in stock as well, model DP55WB (part of their media series). it's listed for $104.99. we have boards ranging from that price, up to $199.99 (for one of the EVGA P55 boards, i forget which), and dual channel memory kits in stock at the same or lower prices than newegg as of right now (dual channel dominator 1600 C8-8-8-24 1.65v is $10-20 less depending on the model you pick vs newegg)
 

IntelUser2000

Elite Member
Oct 14, 2003
8,686
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Originally posted by: lytalbayre
Maybe I'm confused cause I've been out of the game for a couple years, but wouldn't the 3-channel DDR and 2.4Ghz FSB trump any processor with 2-channel memory?

I was thinking about putting together a new rig, and i7 920 seems like a good buy, but there's all sorts of people waiting for i5 or the i7860...


Any real world performance comparisons or opinions here on AT?

Thanks.

Remember, all memory transactions go through the memory controller on the CPU, so bus speed is irrelevant. The speed of your RAM equals the traditional FSB now in layman's terms. The faster the memory, the greater the memory BW.

The Nehalem has no FSB in the traditional sense. Gotta throw that thought away and replace it.

Unless you are running a single processor server, the difference between S1366 and S1156 is 2 to 3 percent at same clock.

The i7 860 will turn out faster than i7 920 in most of the cases.
 

lytalbayre

Senior member
Apr 28, 2005
842
2
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Originally posted by: IntelUser2000
Originally posted by: lytalbayre
Maybe I'm confused cause I've been out of the game for a couple years, but wouldn't the 3-channel DDR and 2.4Ghz FSB trump any processor with 2-channel memory?

I was thinking about putting together a new rig, and i7 920 seems like a good buy, but there's all sorts of people waiting for i5 or the i7860...


Any real world performance comparisons or opinions here on AT?

Thanks.

Remember, all memory transactions go through the memory controller on the CPU, so bus speed is irrelevant. The speed of your RAM equals the traditional FSB now in layman's terms. The faster the memory, the greater the memory BW.

The Nehalem has no FSB in the traditional sense. Gotta throw that thought away and replace it.

Unless you are running a single processor server, the difference between S1366 and S1156 is 2 to 3 percent at same clock.

The i7 860 will turn out faster than i7 920 in most of the cases.


Thank you for explaining this in a way I can understand.
 

RussianSensation

Elite Member
Sep 5, 2003
19,458
765
126
What are you using your computer for? If you are gaming, upgrade the videocard first. Overclock that CPU to 3.4ghz.

 

Pneumothorax

Golden Member
Nov 4, 2002
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Originally posted by: IntelUser2000

The i7 860 will turn out faster than i7 920 in most of the cases.

Only if you're a warranty-abiding non-overclocker. For those of us who live near a microcenter, a 920 D0 for $200 is a no-brainer over the 860.
 

Shmee

Memory & Storage, Graphics Cards Mod Elite Member
Super Moderator
Sep 13, 2008
8,313
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Originally posted by: Pneumothorax
Originally posted by: IntelUser2000

The i7 860 will turn out faster than i7 920 in most of the cases.

Only if you're a warranty-abiding non-overclocker. For those of us who live near a microcenter, a 920 D0 for $200 is a no-brainer over the 860.

agreed.