Intel demonstrates 65W Broadwell-K at GDC

Dave2150 · 5 Mar 2015 at 17:42

Finally confirmed that Broadwell-K is coming and that the rumours of it being cancelled were not true.

Source: http://blogs.intel.com/technology/2015/03/gdc-2015/

In a new disclosure at GDC, Intel showed the first 5th Generation Core LGA-socketed CPU with Intel® Iris™ Pro graphics. This 65 watt unlocked desktop processor, available mid-2015, will bring new levels of performance and power efficiency to Mini PCs and desktop All-In-Ones. Since 2006 the 3D performance of Intel Graphics has increased nearly 100 fold (Intel 3DMark06 measurements) and powerful form factors from Acer, Medion and Intel’s own NUCs are becoming available with 5th Generation Intel Core processors with Intel Iris Graphics.

I'm very interested in seeing it's performance compared to the 4790k. 4790k=88w, Broadwell-K confirmed as a 65W part - it must mean that the 14nm process really is that great, since I doubt Intel would release it if it wasn't faster than the 4790k.

If we assume 5% improved IPC over Haswell at best, then it must still be clocked at 4.0-4.1 base clock minimum - otherwise I highly doubt it will outperform the 4790k. If this is the case, then it's an incredible win for Intel.

If the 65w Broadwell-K is indeed faster than the 88w 4790k, then it's just another nail on the coffin for AMD FX CPU'S.

wazza300 · 5 Mar 2015 at 17:43

I thought they were having issues with cooling it? thought it was gonna be a 95w tdp chip again

Dave2150 · 5 Mar 2015 at 17:45

wazza300 said:
I thought they were having issues with cooling it? thought it was gonna be a 95w tdp chip again

Confirmed on the Intel website as being a 65W part.

Looks like 99% of the Broadwell-k rumours were all false, who would have known!

Dave2150 · 5 Mar 2015 at 17:53

Also confirmed that Broadwell-K wil feature 'Intel® Iris™ Pro graphics', meaning it will have eDRAM cache on board (128MB L4 Crystalwell).

I wonder if this eDRAM can be leveraged to increase CPU performance when a discrete GPU is used?

Dave2150 · 5 Mar 2015 at 19:52

Dave2150 said:
Also confirmed that Broadwell-K wil feature 'Intel® Iris™ Pro graphics', meaning it will have eDRAM cache on board (128MB L4 Crystalwell).

I wonder if this eDRAM can be leveraged to increase CPU performance when a discrete GPU is used?

In answer to my own question - it would seem the 128MB of L4 cache on Broadwell-K will indeed impact CPU performance. I initially expected it to only benefit the integrated graphics.

Nice article by Anand Lal Shimpi from Anandtech about the performance benefits from previous generations of CPU's with and without crytstalwell 128MB l4 cache:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6993/intel-iris-pro-5200-graphics-review-core-i74950hq-tested/18

So I guess it's quite possible Broadwell-K will be able to smash the 4790k's performance, when taking into account the extra 128MB l4 cache that can be used for CPU performance

setter · 5 Mar 2015 at 20:06

And now im wondering, Z97 only or do Z87 owners get another stay of execution for new cpu's.

Though tbh ill more than likely wait to see what skylake is like.

Dave2150 · 5 Mar 2015 at 20:14

setter said:
And now im wondering, Z97 only or do Z87 owners get another stay of execution for new cpu's.

Though tbh ill more than likely wait to see what skylake is like.

Yeh I'm sure the majority of folk will wait to see what Skylake is like. If rumoured 25% improved IPC of Skylake is true then it's worth waiting for.

Still good to see that those who need to buy before Skylake releases have a upgrade from the 2013 Haswell stuff though.

Sylver123 · 5 Mar 2015 at 20:51

if broadwell does actually turn out to be quite good, I can't wait to see what the extreme high end versions Broadwell-E can do on the x99 platform when released supposedly the end of this year, early next year.

Dave2150 · 5 Mar 2015 at 21:56

Also hearing rumours that the increased die size/package from the 128MB of LV4 cache (Iris Pro) will result in the CPU having a soldered die!

Should be a huge improvement in temperatures, lets hope the 14nm process overclocks well

setter · 5 Mar 2015 at 22:06

Dave2150 said:
Also hearing rumours that the increased die size/package from the 128MB of LV4 cache (Iris Pro) will result in the CPU having a soldered die!

Should be a huge improvement in temperatures, lets hope the 14nm process overclocks well

If true this could see very signifigant temp drops in comparison to ib and current hw chips. Tbf though the current ones are ok in normal stuff, just as long as you dont assault them with synthetic stress tests.

shadow_boxer · 6 Mar 2015 at 16:48

setter said:
If true this could see very signifigant temp drops in comparison to ib and current hw chips. Tbf though the current ones are ok in normal stuff, just as long as you dont assault them with synthetic stress tests.

Absolutely true. I imagine that for the vast majority of people, even when overclocked that Haswell and Haswell Refresh temperatures aren't really an issue unless running benchmarks/stress testing software. I'm a bit on the fence however about soldered CPU's, great for thermals but sadly the sacrifice of potentially not being able to replace it would be too big. Intel must address the thermals though to some degree, we all expected the Haswell refesh to be much better.

setter · 6 Mar 2015 at 20:49

The refresh devils canyon chips actually run hotter than the first gen haswell chips. The so called new polymer TIM was a lie of epic proportions from Intel.

CAT-THE-FIFTH · 7 Mar 2015 at 02:07

Its absolutely pointless for an expensive socketed desktop part to have the fastest IGP when its going to cost over £200. Even for a SFF system,the lower end parts will still have enough grunt for media purposes. Intel should be introducing socketed Core i3 parts with at least some L4 cache and GT4 graphics for desktop,since it would actually make more sense for these parts,regarding the part of the market they are targeted at. The Core i3 CPUs keep having gimped graphics,which is rather annoying.

I suspect its because,like with the original L4 cache containing Haswell parts,Apple wanted parts for its laptops,so this is basically the worst bins of the SKU that cannot make it for laptops.

Dave2150 · 7 Mar 2015 at 08:52

CAT-THE-FIFTH said:
Its absolutely pointless for an expensive socketed desktop part to have the fastest IGP when its going to cost over £200. Even for a SFF system,the lower end parts will still have enough grunt for media purposes. Intel should be introducing socketed Core i3 parts with at least some L4 cache and GT4 graphics for desktop,since it would actually make more sense for these parts,regarding the part of the market they are targeted at. The Core i3 CPUs keep having gimped graphics,which is rather annoying.

I suspect its because,like with the original L4 cache containing Haswell parts,Apple wanted parts for its laptops,so this is basically the worst bins of the SKU that cannot make it for laptops.

The 128MB of L4 cache on this upcoming 65W Broadwell-K will increase the CPU performance, even while using a discrete GPU, by upto two digit numbers in some applications.

Many of us were questioning why it's only a 65W part - it could be that Broadwell just doesn't perform well at higher voltages, so they added this huge 128MB l4 cache to makeup for the lower clockspeeds, so that it can beat the 4790k.

Looking forward to the reviews anyway

McGraw · 7 Mar 2015 at 09:48

setter said:
The refresh devils canyon chips actually run hotter than the first gen haswell chips. The so called new polymer TIM was a lie of epic proportions from Intel.

So a 4790k clocked to stock 4770k speeds runs hotter than the 4770k?

That's seems ridiculous.

setter · 7 Mar 2015 at 10:23

McGraw said:
So a 4790k clocked to stock 4770k speeds runs hotter than the 4770k?

That's seems ridiculous.

Even at stock speed the 4790k runs hotter than the 4770k. Ive owned one 4770k and two 4790k's. The two DC chips hit the mid 90's under p95 vs high 70's on the 4770k. I know that the 4790k has a higher turbo clock at load, but voltage on all three chips at stock was very similair.

CAT-THE-FIFTH · 7 Mar 2015 at 10:30

Dave2150 said:
The 128MB of L4 cache on this upcoming 65W Broadwell-K will increase the CPU performance, even while using a discrete GPU, by upto two digit numbers in some applications.

Many of us were questioning why it's only a 65W part - it could be that Broadwell just doesn't perform well at higher voltages, so they added this huge 128MB l4 cache to makeup for the lower clockspeeds, so that it can beat the 4790k.

Looking forward to the reviews anyway

I saw the reviews for the Core i7 4950HQ which was Haswell with L4 cache:

http://techreport.com/review/24879/intel-core-i7-4770k-and-4950hq-haswell-processors-reviewed/12

In some cases there was no improvements in performance but in others there was.

But its annoying a Core i3 SKU does not even come with 32MB or 64MB of L4 cache - it would boost IGP performance and for that end of the market it would be useful.

Its like with the last generation - there were mobile Core i3 CPUs with GT3 IGPs but none of the desktop ones had GT3 IGPs or even L4 cache!

Edit!!

Having said that I do run a SFF system myself.

If the performance is better at a lower TDP,there should be Xeon E3 SKUs with the L4 cache.

OTH,would it be worth an upgrade from a Core i7 3770/Xeon E3 1230 V2 or would Skylake be a better fit??

Tonester0011 · 7 Mar 2015 at 10:39

On synthetic loads the DC chips hit as high if not higher loads than 4770k, though i would put that down to higher clocks and higher voltage to start with. However, on normal day to day i find the 4790k runs cooler than non lidded 4770ks, with the exception of my first chip (motherboard to blame though) which the default stock voltage was 1.36v lol.

flopper · 7 Mar 2015 at 10:39

Dave2150 said:
I'm very interested in seeing it's performance compared to the 4790k.

Boring as intel wont have any more upgrade than incremental.
cpu isnt the variable for users anymore its gpu, dx12 and mantle.
I am waiting for AMD Zen as I wont buy Intel anymore as its no more speed for money. having to wait 4 generations for a worthy upgrade seems silly.

CAT-THE-FIFTH · 7 Mar 2015 at 10:43

I have a feeling AMD Zen will be a power consumption optimised design too though.