Core i7 3rd Gen LGA 1155 Socket H2 Computer Processors: 5 Things to Know

Core i7 3rd Gen LGA 1155 socket H2 computer processors from Intel may be a solution for anyone building a custom PC or seeking a central processing unit (CPU) for a computer with a socket H2 motherboard. These quad-core processors with Turbo Boost are suitable options for use in demanding setups, such as gaming and office workstations. They are available in a number of different configurations so that you can choose the best model for your purposes.

Whats a 3rd gen i7 processor?

Third generation refers to the microarchitecture used in the processor, which in this case is Ivy Bridge. These Core-i7 microprocessors have four independent cores and support Intel Hyper-Threading, which means that the CPU can deliver two processing threads per physical core or eight threads overall. These processors require a motherboard with an LGA 1155 socket, and theyre available in three power design configurations. These approaches include:

  • Standard power: seeks to maximize CPU performance.
  • Low power: strives for a balance between performance and energy consumption.
  • Ultra-low power: underclocks the processor to use as little power as possible.

What is LGA 1155, and why does it matter?

LGA 1155, which is often written as LGA1155 and also goes by the name socket H2, is a CPU socket or slot, which is the connection between the processor and the motherboard. LGA stands for land grid array, which comprises the pins that make that connection. LGA1155 has 1,155 pins, which is where the name comes from. This is the only type of slot these CPUs support.

Whats the practical difference between standard, low, and ultra-low power?

Lower energy consumption and heat generation come at the cost of lower maximum performance. Be mindful that these processors also support Turbo Boost, which allows for increased power on demand. The ultra-low-power i7-3770T has a thermal design power, or TDP, of 45 watts and operates at a frequency or speed of 2.5 GHz. The low-power i7-3770S, on the other hand, has a 65W TDP and operates at a 3.1 GHz frequency. The standard i7-3770 has a 77W TDP and operates at 3.4 GHz.

Whats Turbo Boost?

All of the Intel Core i7 processors mentioned here support Turbo Boost, which lets the CPU overclock one or more cores as needed to deliver extra performance. Overclocking allows the processor to operate at a lower TDP most of the time than would otherwise be required.

Do these Core i7 processors have integrated graphics?

Yes. All of the Ivy Bridge i7 CPUs have the HD Graphics 4000 onboard. Having this integrated graphics processing unit, or iGPU, means that the computer can output to a display without a discrete graphics adapter present. These processors fully support dedicated video cards as well.

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