Thread: Difference between Core i7 and Core i7 ?

No its not a typo, but they are different. Core i7 920/950/975 are very different from Core i7 860/870. There seems to be some confusion as the branding is the same, but the processors themselves are very different.


The Core i7 920/950/975 all use socket LGA 1366 and the i7 860/870 use socket LGA 1156. SO, next time you see a motherboard saying that it supports core i7, please check which core i7 it supports.

The core i7 920/950/975 and older i7 940/960 all require an X58 motherboard. These processors support triple channel memory. Hence most X58 motherboards will have 6 slots for RAM (a few low end ones have 4 only). These processors are generally better for Overclocking with their default voltage itself. A good value for money X58 board is the MIS X58 Pro-E.


The Core i7 860/870 use the socket LGA 1156. Hence, you can use P55 motherboards (not too sure about H55/57). These processors usually consume less power and run dual channel memory. Hence, all boards will have at least 4 slots of RAM.

I don't understand why Intel did this, they could have named the 860/870 under the i5 branding to make things easier as this naming scheme can easily confuse customers.

Nice info man.. Now i know the difference and also why i messed up (it was intel's fault).. Thanks.

Good post man.........

Originally Posted by coolad

Nice info man.. Now i know the difference and also why i messed up (it was intel's fault).. Thanks.

yes i realized from your case that people who are not into computers that much may not know the difference and can go wrong easily. Glad i could help.