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Intel® Core™ i7 Processor Extreme Edition vs. Previous Generation Intel® Core™ i7-975 Processor Extreme Edition

Intel® Core™ i7 processor Extreme Edition

Intel® Core™ i7-990X processor Extreme Edition

The Intel® Core™ i7 processor Extreme Edition is the perfect engine for power users who demand unparalleled performance and unlimited digital creativity. Thanks to the latest ultra-threaded, overclocking-enabled1 killer combination of smart features, including Intel® Turbo Boost Technology,2 Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology (Intel® HT Technology),3 6 physical and 12 logical cores, and 12MB Intel® Smart Cache, the Intel® Core™ i7 processor Extreme Edition is Intel's most tunable, capable, and downright devastating PC processor ever.

The best gaming processor

    Extreme performance for amazing 3D games

Extreme performance for amazing 3D games

Dominate your gaming competition with the unlocked, unleashed, and uncompromised Intel® Core™ i7 processor Extreme Edition. Thanks to the latest ultra-threaded, overclocking-enabled1 killer combination of smart features, including Intel® Turbo Boost Technology2 and Intel® HT Technology,3 the Intel® Core™ i7 processor Extreme Edition is Intel's most tunable, capable, and downright devastating PC processor ever.

Extreme performance for amazing 3D games
Desktop PC configurations used for extreme performance measurements
Intel® Processor Name Intel® Core™ i7-975 Processor Extreme Edition Intel® Core™ i7-990X Processor Extreme Edition
Processor speed 3.33GHz 3.46GHz
Processor interconnect Intel® QuickPath Interconnect @ 6.4GT/s Intel QuickPath Interconnect @ 6.4GT/s
Processor cores/threads 4/8 6/12
Intel® Smart Cache Unified 8 MB L3 Unified 12MB L3
Motherboard manufacturer Intel® DX58SO2 Intel DX58SO2
Chipset Intel® X58 Express Chipset Intel X58 Express Chipset
Chipset INF file Intel® INF 9.1.1.1015 Intel INF 9.1.1.1015
Platform BIOS SOX5820J.86A.0765 SOX5820J.86A.0765
System memory 12GB (3x4GB) Micron* MT16JSF25664HY-1G1D1 DDR3-1066 (7-7-7-20) 12GB (3x4GB) Micron MT16JSF25664HY-1G1D1 DDR3-1066 (7-7-7-20)
Hard disk Intel® X25-M SSD 160GB SATA2 2.5" FW-02HD Intel X25-M SSD 160GB SATA2 2.5" FW-02HD
Intel® Matrix Storage Manager 8.9.0.1023 8.9.0.1023
Video card ATI* Radeon 5970 HD ATI Radeon 5970 HD
Video driver version 8.801.0.0 8.801.0.0
Graphics resolution 1920 x 1200 resolution, 32-bit color 1920 x 1200 resolution, 32-bit color
Operating system Microsoft Windows* 7 Ultimate 64-bit RTM Build 7600, on NTFS Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit RTM Build 7600, on NTFS
Power management mode High performance High performance

Additional Information: 4 5

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Product and Performance Information

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1. WARNING: Altering clock frequency and/or voltage may: (i) reduce system stability and useful life of the system and processor; (ii) cause the processor and other system components to fail; (iii) cause reductions in system performance; (iv) cause additional heat or other damage; and (v) affect system data integrity. Intel has not tested, and does not warranty, the operation of the processor beyond its specifications. Intel assumes no responsibility that the processor, including if used with altered clock frequencies and/or voltages, will be fit for any particular purpose. For more information, visit www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/gaming/overclocking/overclocking-intel-processors.html.


2. Intel® Turbo Boost Technology requires a system with Intel Turbo Boost Technology capability. Consult your PC manufacturer. Performance varies depending on hardware, software, and system configuration. For more information, visit www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/architecture-and-technology/turbo-boost/turbo-boost-technology.html.


3. Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology (Intel® HT Technology) requires an Intel HT Technology enabled system; check with your PC manufacturer. Performance will vary depending on the specific hardware and software used. Not available on the previous generation Intel® Core™ i5-750. For more information including details on which processors support Intel HT Technology, visit http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/architecture-and-technology/hyper-threading/hyper-threading-technology.html.


4. For more information on Intel® processor numbers, go to www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/processors/processor-numbers.html.


5. Final benchmarks based on the final production BIOS may vary from these results. Performance tests and ratings are measured using specific computer systems and/or components and reflect the approximate performance of Intel® products as measured by those tests. Any difference in system hardware or software design or configuration may affect actual performance. Buyers should consult other sources of information to evaluate the performance of systems or components they are considering purchasing. For more information on performance tests and on the performance of Intel products, visit www.intel.com/performance/.