Intel's Launch Dates

[itsmevader]

Hi, I want to know wheather the processor's launch dates given on Intel's website are correct or not. dates are given as follows
Intel I7 960 - Q4'09
Intel I7-965 - Q4'08
Intel I7-930 - Q1'10

I am just confused. How come I7-930 model shows the latest and I7-965 shows oldest?
Also, here in India.. every local dealer is telling that 965 is the latest..

Could any please guide me on this?

 

[Soleron]

The dates are correct, but newer does not always mean better. The 965 is still faster than the 930 (and more expensive) because it has higher clockspeeds.

The reason this happens is because yields improve over time so Intel can replace models with ones with higher clockspeeds as time goes on.

The original launch was 920, 940, 965
Then 950 replaced 940 and 975 replaced 965 so it was 920,950,975
Then 960 replaced 950 so it was 920,960,975
Then 930 replaced 920 so it was 930,960,975

The fastest Intel processor is the i7 980X, a six-core 32nm part.

So there are two desktop processors faster than the i7 965 in existence. Given that these are ~$1000 though, if you're on a budget they are not good value compared to, for example, the 930.

The retailers are using 'latest' to mean 'best', not 'launched most recently', and they are wrong that the 965 is the best.

 

[itsmevader]

The dates are correct, but newer does not always mean better. The 965 is still faster than the 930 (and more expensive) because it has higher clockspeeds.

The reason this happens is because yields improve over time so Intel can replace models with ones with higher clockspeeds as time goes on.

The original launch was 920, 940, 965
Then 950 replaced 940 and 975 replaced 965 so it was 920,950,975
Then 960 replaced 950 so it was 920,960,975
Then 930 replaced 920 so it was 930,960,975

The fastest Intel processor is the i7 980X, a six-core 32nm part.

So there are two desktop processors faster than the i7 965 in existence. Given that these are ~$1000 though, if you're on a budget they are not good value compared to, for example, the 930.

The retailers are using 'latest' to mean 'best', not 'launched most recently', and they are wrong that the 965 is the best.

Thanks for that info. I had decided 960 and the only thing to chose was the computer case. But today my dealer told me, Intel has stopped 960 and 965 has come into market. I know he is lying because I checked the date of I7 965 and it was released in Q'4 2008. I7 960 is not available in any store. Some dealer told me 960 has stopped and 950 is latest... its really freaking out..

I don't have budget for I7 980. I can afford i7 960 & 965 but the thing is, its not available in market and I am scared with 965 as its 2 years old.

As you are saying 930,960,975 are the latest ones, it means I have chosen the right thing. But if I don't get 960, then which one will be better, 965 or 950 or 930?

 

[Soleron]

Thanks for that info. I had decided 960 and the only thing to chose was the computer case. But today my dealer told me, Intel has stopped 960 and 965 has come into market. I know he is lying because I checked the date of I7 965 and it was released in Q'4 2008. I7 960 is not available in any store. Some dealer told me 960 has stopped and 950 is latest... its really freaking out..

I don't have budget for I7 980. I can afford i7 960 & 965 but the thing is, its not available in market and I am scared with 965 as its 2 years old.

As you are saying 930,960,975 are the latest ones, it means I have chosen the right thing. But if I don't get 960, then which one will be better, 965 or 950 or 930?

Ignore the apparent age of the product. They are all exactly the same silicon, just at different speeds. A batch of chips produced six months ago will have been divided into 930s, 950s, 965s... released earlier makes no difference.

As for which one is better:

930 - 2.8GHz
940 - 2.93GHz
950 - 3.06GHz
960 - 3.2GHz
965 - 3.2GHz, unlocked multiplier for overclocking
975 - 3.33GHz, unlocked multiplier for overclocking

Assume that speed correlates with performance. Now you can tell which is faster.

Again, ignore the release dates and assume the only difference is the speed. Now, I don't know how your pricing works, but in the US the 975 is 4x the price of the 930 but, as you can see, only 20% faster. So you can save a lot of money by buying lower down the stack.

For the vast majority of applications (what are you doing with this PC, anyway?), there will be no noticeable difference between the 930 and 965. Personally I wouldn't waste money on the very expensive 965 but its up to you.

Also consider the AMD six-cores (1075T and 1090T) if your application benefits from six cores over four with HT.

 

[itsmevader]

Ignore the apparent age of the product. They are all exactly the same silicon, just at different speeds. A batch of chips produced six months ago will have been divided into 930s, 950s, 965s... released earlier makes no difference.

As for which one is better:

930 - 2.8GHz
940 - 2.93GHz
950 - 3.06GHz
960 - 3.2GHz
965 - 3.2GHz, unlocked multiplier for overclocking
975 - 3.33GHz, unlocked multiplier for overclocking

Assume that speed correlates with performance. Now you can tell which is faster.

Again, ignore the release dates and assume the only difference is the speed. Now, I don't know how your pricing works, but in the US the 975 is 4x the price of the 930 but, as you can see, only 20% faster. So you can save a lot of money by buying lower down the stack.

For the vast majority of applications (what are you doing with this PC, anyway?), there will be no noticeable difference between the 930 and 965. Personally I wouldn't waste money on the very expensive 965 but its up to you.

Also consider the AMD six-cores (1075T and 1090T) if your application benefits from six cores over four with HT.

Thanks for the info. I don't want to go with AMD. a 6 core AMD's performance is almost same as i7 930. My primary use is programming & high end gaming.

If released dates are not the important, then I will definitely look for first
965 - (price=$100 addition to 960)
960
950
930

Is that fine mate?

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

You are not going to overclock your machine?

 

[itsmevader]

You are not going to overclock your machine?

Yes, I will. did i miss anything here pal?

 

[Soleron]

Yes, I will. did i miss anything here pal?

Then you should buy much lower down the stack and OC up. All of the parts should reach 3.5-4GHz.

 

[itsmevader]

Then you should buy much lower down the stack and OC up. All of the parts should reach 3.5-4GHz.

ohh, yes..right..I almost forgot... but I can't afford 975. I can afford 965. If 965 then, this will be my final configuration

I7 965
Gigabyte X58A Ud3r Motherboard
Nvidia GTS 450 Palit
500 Gb HDD
6 GB RAM (don't worry, I will upgrade to 12gb in couple of months)
Cooler Master 600Watt SMPS
Case (not decided yet. I am looking for cheap and branded cabinet that has 4 front usb ports. You can suggest if you know any.here is the request link. http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2123178)
I already have Dell SX2210 Full HD monitor, keyboard,mice,speakers & tv tunner.

I hope that this will be a killing machine..Should I go with above configurations?

 

[Sp12]

That makes no sense. Drop to the i7 930 and take the money saved to get a decent GPU. A 450 does not extreme gaming make.

Games don't really care for faster CPUs as they're GPU-limited.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

yeah, why would you invest in a faster CPU when my 920 is already faster than what you want to buy.... pal

 

[itsmevader]

hmm.. yes..you guys are right... then I should drop to 950, because there is only $10 between 950 and 920 and I could fix a GTX460 in place of GTS450... am I right? But will 950 overclock?

 

[betasub]

^ You are getting the idea. Buy the CPU at a level that saves money (i7-950) and overclock it - the overclocking limit on these processors is pretty similar, so once overclocked they all perform similar (& very well!). And for gaming, so much depends on the graphics card, so put the money saved towards a faster graphics card.

 

[itsmevader]

okay. I got it. btw, what do you think about motherboard,.Gigabyte X58A Ud3r? I guess its descent motherboard for the price and I7950. am I right?

 

[sxr7171]

Thanks for that info. I had decided 960 and the only thing to chose was the computer case. But today my dealer told me, Intel has stopped 960 and 965 has come into market. I know he is lying because I checked the date of I7 965 and it was released in Q'4 2008. I7 960 is not available in any store. Some dealer told me 960 has stopped and 950 is latest... its really freaking out..

I don't have budget for I7 980. I can afford i7 960 & 965 but the thing is, its not available in market and I am scared with 965 as its 2 years old.

As you are saying 930,960,975 are the latest ones, it means I have chosen the right thing. But if I don't get 960, then which one will be better, 965 or 950 or 930?

Unless you need a computer right now I would wait for SB and let the prices fall or choose the new architecture. You are putting yourself in a position to suffer some big depreciation by buying now. I assume that India gets the latest processors within a week or two of the US launch. Also you need to find a reputable dealer, you have some quack for a dealer.

 

[ilkhan]

In regards to the timing, the 965 was the top launch CPU. The 960 was released when the 975 was released (as a non-extreme replacement for the 960) and the 930 was released to replace the 920.

In the US the 950 is the current "low end" s1366 chip and thus the performance/$ chip.

 

[sxr7171]

Yeah its a good MB. Just make sure it has the features you need.

 

[Mr. Pedantic]

Don't get a 965. Compared to the newer 1366 chips, it's old, it's hot, it sucks at overclocking, and it's a power hog. Get a 950. Or if you really want to spend a grand, get a 980X and push that sucker up to 4.5GHz.

 

[Ben90]

Don't get a 965. Compared to the newer 1366 chips, it's old, it's hot, it sucks at overclocking, and it's a power hog. Get a 950. Or if you really want to spend a grand, get a 980X and push that sucker up to 4.5GHz.

This, the 965 only comes in the C1 stepping (I think that's what stepping it is, its been a long time).

I would most likely get a 930 (or 950 since they are the same price now) because all the D0 chips are going to reach around the same speed.

 

[busydude]

I assume that India gets the latest processors within a week or two of the US launch. Also you need to find a reputable dealer, you have some quack for a dealer.

This, and is he is the same dealer who is trying to sell you that junk of a PSU?

 

[aigomorla]

Could any please guide me on this?

The family history of Intel's EE processors..

First came this guy, the 965, which came out with the i7 920 C1/C0:

now the problem with C1/C0 is that they ran HOT.
They were the first generation i7's and were leaky as hell as well.
Intel optimized them and introduced the new D0 Stepping to replace all the C1/C0 around 3 months AFTER release.

Then intel went HA! and introduced a new D0 Stepping as the late 920 / 930, and introduced this guy to replace the 965:

Then People Shouted MOAR! So we got Gulftown First as a Q3QP on an A0,

Then finally a 980X on a B0/B1 as retail.

Meh... wont go into more gulftown story unless asked...

And that is my little history on the extreme series processors from intel.



For whats its worth OP, look at the STEPPING, regardless of OC.
D0's naturally run cooler, even @ stock.
Gaurentee'd D0's on your is the 930.
The 960 might even be a C0/C1

Also, here in India.. every local dealer is telling that 965 is the latest..

*face palm*

They are all lying to you by saying the 965 is the newest.
Its probably the most expensive because of the fact its a Extreme Edition CPU,
and NO ONE wants it over a 975, or even the 980X, 990X which are HexCores, and are entirely on a new level.

And yes your list is absolutely correct.

Meaning ur correct... the 965 is the oldest.
Dont buy from those shaddy vendors.

 

[itsmevader]

Unless you need a computer right now I would wait for SB and let the prices fall or choose the new architecture. You are putting yourself in a position to suffer some big depreciation by buying now. I assume that India gets the latest processors within a week or two of the US launch. Also you need to find a reputable dealer, you have some quack for a dealer.

I really need to upgrade now. but what is SB?

Yeah its a good MB. Just make sure it has the features you need.

Thanks.

This, and is he is the same dealer who is trying to sell you that junk of a PSU?

Anything wrong in that PSU? here cooler master, VIP are the common brands.

@ Aigomorla, Thanks for that information. I really appreciate your help and time you must have spent on that.

So now its pretty clear, I should go for I7950. but now the problem is with GPU. I am unable to fit gtx460 in budget. its going almost $150 over the budget. I had thought of GTS450 which is within my budget but as you guys are saying its not good a gaming GPU. but does it really not that good... I mean won't it play all latest games, at least for 1 year?
FYI, these are my fav games
medal of honor
GTA
NFS
COD

 

[itsmevader]

I just checked about SB. I had no idea about what SB is?. I can wait now if SB is going to put some good performance in place of 950.

Honestly to say, I am not finding it really comfortable with configurations. Every now and then I have to recofigure something to fit something in. Now due to low availability of 4 front port USB computer cases, I am even unable to fit the Graphic card GTS 450. My total budget is $850-$900 at max. All cases with 4 front usb port which are available here are very costly and blowing my budget.

So its very uncomfortable. And when i feel its uncomfortable then it really means something is going wrong.. may the TIME. My decision is really going back and forth. This probably means I will have to delay and wait. But I really don't know wheather delaying will be good or I am just wasting my time.

What do you people say?

 

[betasub]

I get the impression you are spending too much of your budget on the LGA1366 platform. I am surprised you cannot get i7-8xx on LGA1156 at a better price. However, SandyBridge on LGA1155 is the replacement for the LGA1156 platform, meaning it should be reasonably-priced (in EastAsia/NorthAmerica/WesternEurope). However that still depends on your supplier getting the CPUs/motherboards available... the wait may not be worth it if you can build on LGA1366 now!

 

[itsmevader]

I get the impression you are spending too much of your budget on the LGA1366 platform. I am surprised you cannot get i7-8xx on LGA1156 at a better price. However, SandyBridge on LGA1155 is the replacement for the LGA1156 platform, meaning it should be reasonably-priced (in EastAsia/NorthAmerica/WesternEurope). However that still depends on your supplier getting the CPUs/motherboards available... the wait may not be worth it if you can build on LGA1366 now!

Thanks. regarding price there is not much difference in CPUs. just $10-$20 difference between each 920,930 and 950. However I am suprised to see why cases with 4 front usb ports are so much costly?.. even expensive than GPUs..thats where I am losing my money.
In mean-time I just reseached the Sandybridge and felt that its not so higher in performance. So delaying doesn't looks worth to me.