Core i7 Overclocking

[handscombmp]

I read sometime ago when the core i7's were first announced that they wouldn't be able to overclock due to intel moving something to do with the fsb onto the chip and locking it much like the multiplier (i think). But then more recently i also read that intel had decided to scrap this idea. Which one is correct. I hope its the newer one (which i think it is) as how well the Core 2's have sold is partly down to there overclocking.

[DaveVader]

Well I've seen the top end one (965) reach 4GHz without breaking a sweat.

The only thing that has been "moved onto the chip" is the voltage reg. for the RAM (or something like that, I'm not 100% sure) but for the question in hand, yes, the overclock nicely.

Major edit, it was the low end one (920) that I saw reach 4GHz easily.

[crazyfool]

http://www.custompc.co.uk/news/60512...ds-on-air.html

[Pob255]

but all three CPUs have a TDP of 130W

so much for smaller cores & architecture have lower power draws that's the same tdp as the old pentium d

[handscombmp]

Found what i was looking for. This is says its just like overclocking a core 2. Wish scan would now get them in stock so i can get a proper price guide. Not these one's that no one is 100% sure about.

[badass]

so much for smaller cores & architecture have lower power draws that's the same tdp as the old pentium d

And do you think that all 3 CPU's actually use 130W at stock speeds under any circumastances at all?

[Pob255]

And do you think that all 3 CPU's actually use 130W at stock speeds under any circumastances at all?

No but when you overclock them you generally turn off all the additional bits to reduce there speed and power draw, while at the same time increaseing there actual power draw.
So once you start overclocking expect that number to go up

[Webby]

Don't forget that i7 has the memory controller on the CPU as well which was previously on the northbridge so you may see a 30W increase in CPU TDP but a drop in Northbridge TDP of the same - Numbers out of the hat by the way, no idea if they are even vaguely right

This is part of the reason AMD CPU's have higher TDPs than their Intel equivalents.