Core i7 Processor

Beginning in 2017, Intel released their Core i 7th Generation processor, known as the codename Kaby Lake. Kaby Lake is present as the third generation of Intel processors manufactured with 14 nm fabrication, and offers only minor changes from the previous generation, Core i 6th Generation, or Skylake, with few exceptions in the entry-level line. Now, in the last quarter of 2017, Intel re-released their new processor, Core i 8th Generation, still with 14 nm fabrication, called codename Coffee Lake.

The presence of Core i 8th Gen. it's like marking a new era for Core i. Yes, Intel reshuffled the specifications for Core i 8th Gen. this, where they move from the previous pattern, by presenting a processor that carries different core configurations. In general, in accordance with what has been announced by Intel, Core i3, Core i5, and Core i7 "Coffee Lake" is present with more cores than ever before. This time, we will discuss the highest line of Core i 8th Gen., Core i7, first.

Intel Core i7 8th Generation

Especially for Core i7, Intel now offers a hexa core configuration with Hyper Threading. Previously, Core i7 on desktop PCs generally comes with a quad core configuration, with Hyper Threading. This new configuration certainly promises better performance than previous generation Core i7. Is it true?

There are two Core i7 8th Gen processors. which has been announced by Intel. Here is a brief specification of the Core i7 8th Gen processor. presented by Intel in early October 2017:

In this article, we will review the performance of the highest processor of Core i 8th Gen. which exists today, namely Core i7-8700K. Code "K" in this processor again indicates that this processor brings unlocked multiplier. 

Specifications: Core i7-8700K vs Core i7-7700K

As a benchmark for the Core i7-8700K "Coffee Lake", we present an Intel Core i7 7th Gen processor, which of course becomes Intel's fastest mainstream processor for that generation. The processor is of course Core i7-7700K. Core i7-7700K is chosen because it is the processor that will be replaced its position in the market by Core i7-8700K this.

The following table specifies for both processors:

The Core i7-8700K actually comes as a different Core i7, where for the first time Intel offers hexa core configurations in mainstream classes. Previously, for desktop PCs, Intel only offered the maximum quad core configuration for the mainstream line, with hexa core processors upstairs only offered in their high-end desktop (HEDT) lines. Offering 6 cores and 12 threads, this processor looks "superior" from the Core i7-7700K which offers only 4 cores and 8 threads.

For the clock, Core i7-8700K comes with a lower base clock than the Core i7-7700K, only 3.7 GHz versus 4.2 GHz. Similarly, the core Core i7-8700K turbo all core, which by Intel is only set at 4.3 GHz figures only, lower than that offered Core i7-7700K, the figure 4.4 GHz. However, for single core turbo, this new processor brings higher clock, reaching 4.7 GHz, where its predecessor only offers 4.5 GHz only.

All of these processors use 14 nm fabrication, and are certainly manufactured by Intel itself. One thing to note, Intel did mention that both these processors use LGA1151 socket, but the processor Coffee Lake / Core i 8th Gen. can not be used on existing LGA1151 motherboards. The new motherboard, with the Intel 300 Series chipset, is multi-functional for Core i 8th Gen.

Intel converts standard RAM support to Core i 8th Gen., where Core i7-8700K offers "official" support for DDR4-2666. Previously, Intel only offered "official" support for DDR4-2400 only. However, of course this "official" support does not mean Core i7-8700K can not run RAM with speed above it. Like its predecessor from Core i 6th Gen. and Core i 7th Gen. with unlocked multiplier, Intel's latest processor also supports DDR4 RAM at speeds above DDR4-2400 / DDR4-2666. This we will review in separate articles.

LGA1151 for Core i 8th Gen.

Due to certain limitations, related to the "new" specification of Core i 8th Gen. Intel requires the use of a new chipset, Intel 300 Series, for Core i 8th Gen., so the use of a new motherboard is mandatory for this new processor. Uniquely, the presence of the obligation to use the new motherboard is not coupled with the use of new sockets. Yes, as we mentioned above, Core i 8th Gen. it still uses LGA1151, but it is not compatible with Intel 100 Series and 200 Series motherboards.

So far, Intel has just announced a single chipset for this 300 Series Intel line, the Z370. Intel Z370 offers things more or less similar to its predecessor, Intel Z270, including 24 lane PCIe 3.0, USB 3.1 Gen. 1, USB 2.1, SATA 3.0, Thunderbolt 3, and support for Intel Optane. In addition, Intel Z370 chipset also supports the practice of overclocking, utilizing unlocked multiplier Core i 8th Gen. K Series.