Intel i7 Chipset: Advantages Disadvantages

The Intel Core i7 chipsets are relatively new CPUs launched last year. They can be bought in pre-made manufactured PCs or separately as an OEM part for a custom system. Unlike the popular Intel Core 2 Duo chipset, which is a dual core, the i7 is a quad-core. While quad-cores are not new technology, i7 marks the onset of quad-cores becoming more usable by the public due to their efficiency and more affordable pricing.

Advantages:

1. Affordable prices for being a quad-core
   
2. Built by a well-known, if not top, microprocessor manufacturer
   
3. 45nm node technology allows for efficient cooling and overclocking


4. IMC or integrated memory controller lets the chip connect directly to memory


5. Four cores allows for handling software that requires lots of computations (some newer games will see increased performance)

Disadvantages:

1. Will only work with DDR3 Memory, meaning for people upgrading from DDR2 will have to get a whole new motherboard


2. New sockets different from the ever popular LGA775 socket (Core 2 Duo's used this) will again mean getting a new motherboard


3. Not a whole lot of software will require multi-threading, meaning for the average person - there won't be much of a performance gain from a dual core.


4. In some cases, the cache is lower on tthe i7 compared to some dual cores - meaning programs that benefit from higher caches may actually experience a performance loss


5. Overall price is generally higher than dual cores, so upgrading isn't all that practical since one would generally have to get a new motherboard and memory as well for such a small gain.