Sandy Bridge officially debuted

The CES 2011 curtain has not yet officially opened, Intel officially released a large new generation of Sandy Bridge family in advance, including 29 processors (14 desktops and 15 mobile), 10 chipsets (5 desktops and 5 mobile ), 4 wireless network cards, related product design is more than 500 models, becoming Intel's largest product release in history, in terms of processors alone far exceeds 18 in early 2010, 6 in 2009.

We have already done a lot of reports on the Intel Sandy Bridge. However, due to the NDA confidentiality agreement, there are few references in terms of model, specifications, and performance. The focus of this article today is on model and specification analysis. Performance evaluation articles will be offered later.

First, the new logo and packaging of Sandy Bridge Every new family debut in recent years, Intel will always put a new face for it, including the redesigned LOGO logo, packaging patterns, etc., Sandy Bridge is no exception.

This time the new LOGO is very three-dimensional, the overall use of the Intel transitional Intel iconic blue tone, but it looks a little lighter than in the past, the shape is a rounded corners of the rectangle, the middle of the processor inside the twists and turns The circuit pattern is used as a space, with the famous Intel Inside in the upper part and the Core i7/i5/i3 model mark in the lower part and the vPro word in the business version.

Second, Sandy Bridge processor model, specification at a glance Sandy Bridge processor is called "the second generation Intel Core processor family", is Intel's first so-called "visual intelligence" (Visual Smart) architecture, the main features are:

- Single-chip integrated processor core/graphics core/memory controller/PCI-E controller - High-bandwidth low-latency modular core and graphics core (GFX) interconnect - Completely redesigned out-of-order execution engine - High-efficiency front-end - High-bandwidth Ring Bus - AVX Advanced Vector Extensions - Dual-Channel DDR3 Memory Controller - Hyper-Threading Technology - Second-Generation Turbo Boost Turbo Boost Technology - High-Bandwidth, High-Capacity Shared Tri-Level Cache - Next-Generation Graphics Core and Media Engine - Embedded Display output interface - Single x16 or dual x8 graphics card support Sandy Bridge still uses Core i7, Core i5, Core i3 sub-branding system for naming, but the relationship between model number, number, and specifications is still nowhere. Laws can be followed.

It was reported very early on that Sandy Bridge's processor clock frequency was strictly locked at 100 MHz due to the integrated clock generator, and it was tightly tied to the graphics core, memory, and PCI-E/DMI/FDI bus. FSB basically became impossible. Unfortunately, this is indeed the case.

As a result, Sandy Bridge processors want to overclock only one way: frequency multiplier. As can be seen from the table above, the K series (Core i7-2600K, Core i5-2500K) on the desktop is fully open and multiplied, up to a maximum of 57x, that is, the main frequency can exceed 5.7GHz; several high-end models ( The FSB of the Core i7-2600, Core i5-2500/2400/2300) can be upgraded to 34x-42x, which means that the main frequency exceeds 3.4-4.2GHz; other low-end models and mobile versions should not be thought of. Can only rely on Turbo Boost Turbo Boost.

Third, Sandy Bridge integrated graphics core In fact, the previous generation of Westmere architecture processor (Clarkdale / Arrandale) has already begun the integration of the graphics core, but was still a dual-core package together, and the graphics core is still a generation behind the 45nm process, specifications The basic integration with the G45/GS45/GM45 chipset is not much different.

Sandy Bridge completely integrates many modules, such as the graphics core and processor core, and adopts the second-generation 32nm process to manufacture them. The architecture and specifications are also greatly improved, and it is divided into two models: one is called HD. The Graphics 3000” has 12 execution units (EU) for the desktop K series and all mobile models; the second is called “HD Graphics 2000”, and the number of execution units is reduced to 6 for other desktop models.

The HD Graphics 3000/2000's reference frequency is basically 650MHz. Only the low-voltage and ultra-low-voltage mobile version is reduced to 500/350MHz, the dynamic acceleration frequency desktop is 1.1-1.35GHz, and the mobile is 900MHz-1.3GHz.

Technical specifications are also quite different, and they are particularly random. Taking the desktop retail model as an example, Quick Sync synchronization technology, VT-x/VT-d virtualization technology, TXT reliable execution technology, and AES-NI encryption/decryption instruction technology are randomly distributed among various models. All must be supported, and the lower ones are not necessarily unsupported.

As for performance, simply speaking, HD Graphics 3000 with 12 execution units can basically meet the level of entry-level discrete graphics GeForce 210 and Radeon HD 5450. It is about twice as high as the previous generation of Clarkdale HD Graphics and it is the last generation of G45 GMA X4500 HD. About three times. The HD Graphics 2000 with 6 execution units is not much different from the previous generation.

Fourth, the P67/H67 chipset supporting the release of up to 10 chipsets, of which P67, H67 for consumer desktop, Q65, Q67, B65 for business-class desktop, HM67, HM65 for consumer mobile, UM67 For ultra-low power platforms, QS67, QM67 for business-class mobile.

P67 and H67 are naturally the main models, and they have the highest exposure. The P67 features support for single x16 or dual x8 graphics cards and supports processor and memory overclocking. The H67 adds display units and an FDI bus to support Sandy Bridge's integrated graphics output.

Both support two SATA 6Gbps interfaces but no native USB 3.0.

Five, Sandy Bridge processor physical samples of Intel this test are basically Core i7-2600K, Core i5-2500K, which is fully open top two overclocking desktop models, and especially for the former with a Core i7-980X The six-core high-end original fan, the latter is more common.