Intel Kaby Lake-X Processors (EVERYTHING THAT WE KNOW)
The Intel-based Basin Falls platform offers, besides the extreme 12-core Skylake-X processor, a second, less costly part. Here are the models labeled Kaby Lake-X, based on the 7th generation Intel Kaby Lake processors. For whom are they determined, what is the expected price and what performance?
We need to highlight one important fact from the beginning. Kaby Lake-X family processors are not compatible with 1151 sockets. There are currently only mainstream Kaby Lake models and escorting older Skylake processors. After all, the entire Basin Falls platform is designed entirely outside of the standard Intel processor.
This is a more powerful offshoot of the Intel Basin Falls platform, so we chose Skylake-X processors to devote a completely separate article. In fact, Intel 's 18-core processor is an extremely interesting thing.
Comparison and specifications of CPU Broadwell-X, Skylake-X and Kaby Lake-X
| Comparative area | Broadwell-X | Skylake-X | Kaby Lake-X |
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of introduction | 3Q / 2014 | 2Q / 2017 | 2Q / 2017 |
| Production technologies | 14 nm | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Max. number of cores / threads | 10/20 | 12/24 | 4/8 |
| Max. frequency | 3.5 GHz | 4.5 GHz | 4.5 GHz |
| Chip set | Intel X99 | Intel X299 | Intel X299 |
| Number of PCI Express lines | 40 | 44 | 16 |
| Integrated graphics core |  | | |
| Socket | LGA 2011-3 | LGA 2066 | LGA 2066 |
| Max. TDP | 140 W | 140 W | 112 W |
| Supported memory | DDR4 2 400 MHz | DDR4 2 666 MHz | DDR4 2 666 MHz |
| Price at launch | 1 700 USD | about 1,500 USD | about 350 USD |
The two announced Kaby Lake-X processors
So far, we expect two specific Kaby Lake-X models - Core i7-7740K and Core i5-7640K. Both CPUs have a common open multiplier and four kernels with a TDP of 112 W. Compared to the Core i7-7700K and Core i5-7600K, they will offer 100MHz higher bits and improved heat conduction interfaces within the integrated heatspreader (a metal plate that nowadays primarily protective function, but previously served to better heat distribution to the radiator body). Thanks to this, we can look forward to significantly better overclocking conditions.
Comparison of the new Kaby Lake-X series CPUs
| Type | Intel Core i7-7740K | Intel Core i5-7640K |
|---|---|---|
| Advice | Kaby Lake-X | Kaby Lake-X |
| Production technologies | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Chip set | Intel X299 | Intel X299 |
| Socket | LGA 2066 | LGA 2066 |
| Max. TDP | 112 W | 112 W |
| Basic frequency | 4.3 GHz | 4.0 GHz |
| Boost frequency | 4.5 GHz | 4.0 GHz |
Kaby Lake-X CPU overclocking is validated in review
For fans of overclocking, we have good information, especially for owners of older Noctua coolers. The Tomshardware.com expert server has brought you an interesting message regarding support for older Noctua coolers. Fortunately, Intel did not go into experiments with a physical pitch hole for the radiator mount. So, if you already own a compatible heat sink with the previous LGA 2011 socket, Noctua will give you a completely free upgrade to the LGA 2066 socket kit. We'll see how other radiator CPU manufacturers respond.
In our test, Intel Skylake-X and Kabylake-X, we unveiled 2D / 3D workloads and focused on gaming power , where the new Intel Basin Falls x299 platform really shone. But we can no longer say about the new processors' performance. What about the core motherboard for this new Intel platform? Read our review of ASUS PRIME X299-DELUX .
Extreme performance in OC mode will then be the ideal base for combining with the ASUS ROG STRIX GTX 1080 Ti graphics card. The review of Kaby Lake-X processors from our Michael Mikle overlocker will certainly not let you wait long.
We must not forget that the Kaby Lake-X processors support 3D XPoint memory, which is a solid state of the art SSD. Read the detailed test of the hot news of Intel Optane Memory .
Sometimes you can see HEDT. This abbreviation stands for High-End Deskop, which is the most powerful yet expensive processor from Intel. Currently, Kaby Lake-X and Skylake-X series are now available. The previous generation represents six-core models from the Broadwell-E series.
Kaby Lake-X belongs to socket 2066
The entire Intel Basin Falls platform uses the brand-new LGA 2066 socket and the X299 chipset. Specifically, the Kaby Lake-X processors can only use a two-channel memory controller and have only 16 PCI Express lines available. Both values are so lower than Skylake-X processors. However, given the lower end price, this is an understandable solution.
Maybe you do not know exactly how this computer actually works. We have prepared a detailed tutorial that describes how to build an entire computer in 8 steps . Your guide will be the seasoned "Tukan" alias Mikoláš Tuček.
Intel Core i7-7740K and i5-7640K processors, release date and price
The next-generation HEDT platform with the Intel X299 chip (not to be confused with the AMD X390 and X399) is still officially expected in the second quarter of this year. The show will take place on May 30 at the Computex 2017. Intel, according to fresh speculation, wants to start the sale significantly, due to the very good reception of AMD Ryzen processors. Intel Kaby Lake-X processors may be worth the door.
The Kaby Lake-X, which must be sufficiently competitive, could well do that. We suggest it will be seated somewhere between the Intel Core i7-7700K and AMD Ryzen 1800X . That is, some 12-13 thousand.
Next in rank is Intel Coffee Lake
Even at the end of the holidays, the fourth generation Intel processors will be built on a 14nm production process. This time in the form of up to six-core Intel Coffee Lake models designed for the LGA 1151 socket. These processors will be suitable for notebooks , ultrabooks , 2v1 devices and, of course, home and office desktops .
The Intel Basin Falls platform will bring us very attractive processors that have the performance to counter the counterattack of AMD Ryzen. Kaby Lake-X will be a more cost-effective option for overlockers, thanks to an unlocked multiplier that allows the new processor to wring the maximum.
