I still remember Intel launched new platform in November 2008. It started the Core i7 Age.
This platform is LGA1366, and CPU is Core i7 series. The chipset is X58+ICH10R.
Half years later, Intel announced LGA 1156 platform and CPU has Core i3, i5 and i7 which is wider product range.
For LGA 1366 market position is not big impact compare to P55.
Currently, LGA 1366 platform strength are 3-channel memory and multi PCI-E x16.
The weakness is X58 power consumption is higher. The entry model is same as mid range LGA 1156 platform.
End of March, Intel announced first 32nm 6-cores 980X CPU for X58 platform to extend its’ life cycle.
Internet also has many news about next 6C12T Core i7-980X in 2011.
Back to our topic - Intel Core i7-950. Blue box is representing Intel.
The price is 9100NT, around 299USD.
Inside the box, there are CPU, original copper-bottom cooler, manual and Intel sticker.
The clock is 3.06GHz, support Turbo Boost to achieve 3.33GHz.
Physical 4 Cores with Hyper-Threading to reach 8 threading, also called 4C/8T.
45nm manufacturing, Max TDP 130W, 8MB L3 Cache. The spec above are all entry LGA 1366 CPU spec.
MB is GIGABYTE X58A-UD3R, the entry model for high end X58 chipset.
The price is around 7500NTD, 250USD.
Light blue and white colors design. The overall components and design are good.
Lower-Left Corner
2 X PCI-E X16 supports X16 and 2-Way/3-Way ATI CrossFireX/NVIDIA SLI technology.
2 X PCI-E X16 supports X8
Realtek 8111E LAN Chip
Realtek ALC889 supports 7.1 channel and High Definition Audio/Dolby Home Theater technology
Design in Taipei
Lower-Right Corner
6 X Blue SATAII, provided by ICH10R, SATA2 supports RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5 and RAID 10
2 X White SATAII, provided by GIGABYTE SATA2 chip, SATA2 supports RAID 0, RAID 1 and JBOD
1 X IDE, provided by GIGABYTE SATA2 chip
2 X White SATAIII, provided by Marvell 9128, SATA3 supports RAID 0, RAID 1
Dual BIOS, dual protection
Upper-Right Corner
6 X DIMM DDR3 supports 800/1066/1333/1866/2200(OC) and the maximum capacity is DDR3 24GB.
DDR3 uses 2 phase PWM and next is 24-PIN power connector.
Upper-Left Corner
LGA 1366 CPU socket. The electroplating metal cover for better looking.
Back is 8PIN design, UD3R uses 12 phase PWM to fulfill X58 platform Core i7 power.
IO
4 X USB 2.0(Black/Yellow)
2 X USB 3.0(Blue)
1 X RJ-45 LAN port
2 X eSATA/USB 2.0 combo (Yellow)
1 X S/PDIF Fiber/Coaxial output
1 X 1394a
clr CMOS button
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