Intel Core i7 7800X – Cheapest Among Intel’s HEDT Platform Processors

Intel Core i7 7800X belongs to generation of Intel’s new Skylake-X  high end desktop (HEDT) processors. With introduction of new X series , Intel also introduced X299 chipset and LGA 2066 socket to support these processors. The Core i7 7800X is the cheapest amongst Intel X generation CPU’s.  The base frequency is set at 3.5 GHz with a maximum turbo frequency of 4.0 GHz.  The TDP is set at 140 W with memory support of DDR4-2400 and 28 PCIE lanes  in a quad channel mode.

Intel Core i7 7800X – Specifications

Following are the major specifications of Core i7 7800X :

Performance Specifications

Memory Specifications

Package Specifications

Intel Core i7 7800X Features

The Core i7 7800X brings new architectural improvements over its mainstream Skylake and Kaby Lake predecessors. The major features are mentioned below:

A new socket: LGA2066

With new Intel X generation processors new socket LGA2066 has been introduced. This socket is similar in size to LGA 2011 and LGA 2011 version3 but not compatible in pin-out . That is why Core X CPU’s  are not backward with older socket versions.

Memory

The Core i7 7800X supports DDR4 memory in quad channel mode with memory type of DDR4-2400. The memory controller supports overclocking and supports Intel XMP memory profiles. Kits rated at DDR4-3200 MHz and beyond are also available. High load tasks such as video rendering and editing will be able to utilise its bandwidth and increased capacities.

PCI-Express Lanes

The Core i7 7800X supports 28 PCI Express Lanes from the CPU. High number of PCI express lanes is a great boost for multi GPU setups. However, in a real time environment 28 or more lanes are required for systems with three or more GPU’s utilizing the PCI- express bus with high speed storage.

Overclocking

The Core i7 7800X supports BCLK memory and CPU multiplier overclocking. Voltage control through motherboard BIOS allows great control over motherboard and tailored overclocking. This allows more robust power delivery infrastructure with modest overclocking capabilities. In addition, Core X processors use high quality thermal paste as the interface material between processor die and integrated heat spreader.

Requirements

Introduction of new X299 Motherboard

With these new Intel X series, Intel has introduced new X299 motherboards which are expensive than Z series motherboards due to 8 RAM slots, upto 44 PCIe lanes, support for 165W processors and other big features.

Following motherboards are recommended based on their features and price (as on Amazon.com):

i7 7800X Feature and Price Comparison in market

In the past, the only master in HEDT platform was Intel itself. But with AMD Ryzen HEDT cost effective series arriving and well established Intel’s older HEDT (Haswell-E and Broadwell-E) series, the market is getting pretty competitive:

• Intel’s older platform in Broadwell-E or Haswell-E series:  Despite of its steep pricing, this series has become a solid platform with great functionality and extensive motherboard support . In short, Broadwell-E has a mature ecosystem but prices still remain the same even with introduction of new X series processors. Following table shows feature and price comparison between Intel new X series(Core i7 7800X) , Broadwell-E (Core i7 6950X) and Haswell-E processors (Core i7 5960X):

• AMD Ryzen series of HEDT processors : This is the first entry of AMD in HEDT processor range, however,  they offer similar features to Intel’s Broadwell-E range but at half of the price. The specifications are still not that great as compared to Intel’s new Core X series (sixteen PCIe lanes, dual channel memory, limited IO support for chipset ) and price is only $60 less than i7-7800X. Below table gives a glance of feature comparison between both processors:

• AMD’s SHED(Super High End Desktop) processors: AMD has announced X399 chipset alongwith Threadripper processors with 16 cores and upto 60 PCIe lanes. It has also planned a new socket to increase the PCIe support. The more deatils are still to arrive in the coming year. But with the arrival of these new SHED processors, Intel may have to worry in the range of HEDT processors.

Currently, Core i7 7800X price varies in India (as on Amazon.in) starting from Rs. 32,500 to Rs. 36,626.