Now we're talking power for your gaming computer!

I'm excited to talk about Intel's i7-3770K CPU, or processor, from the lga 1155 interface line. It has a lots of plus's, and some negatives, but only a few, that I would like to share with you today.

My goal is to build this bad boy CPU onto my "Beast"--in which one of my computer names from my site, The Golliath Slayer! For those who have seen my site, I like to build massive gamer computers, specialized to run at top notch capacities, and to outperform any of those other "so-called" gamer computer makers.

OK, back to the CPU: This is Intel's 3rd generation processor that's really loaded with a lot of punch! The name that Intel gave this category of processors, comes from the Ivy Bridge family, in which the predecessor was called Sandy Bridge. We'll get to that in a little bit.

Built with excellence and with Intel's Hyper-Threading technology, Turbo boosting technology 2.0, and even breaks the previous model's power efficiency, and offers you better media and graphics for video. It also supports Direct 11X, which is known for the smoothness, and "glamour" in today's video games, much more so than Microsoft's Direct 9.0X. Of course, with Windows OS 7, we're able to have this. With XP, we had to settle for Direct 9.0X.

Why hyper-threading? It allows much better and efficient use of the CPU, higher processing through out, and the capacities of running video edits much more smoothly and quickly. It doesn't make much difference with gaming, but when running video editing, hyper-threading makes it so much easier, much more productive and faster.

Intel's Turbo Boost Technology

This feature allows the processor to run with much increased performance both in the single and multi-core usage; with this new technology that Intel has created, it automatically runs faster, maintaining a lower temperature, below regular power, and regular limitations. It's increased graphics performance is not compromised overall. It allows for an intensive graphic workloads, not normally performed in quad-core processors.

Smart Cache by Intel

The higher amounts of cache flowing through the CPU allows for ultra efficient manipulation and storage. This where video editing is noted for better management of data and general purposes.

Features:

• Improved and enhanced Intel's SpeedStep Technology, which in essence delivers high performance, and energy conservancy is not compromised.
• Intel's Smart Cache: Allows for the speed and efficiency of the 4 core processor with 8 mb cache.
• Intel's Virtualization Technology: Optimization for smoother output, and greater resources.
• 3.50 GhZ Quad-Core CPU: Highest speed performance with out compromising efficiency and applications or tasks such as video/audio editing.
• Intel's Turbo Boost Technology: Can be Over clocked up to 3.90Ghz (and I've seen even more by some experienced over clockers) for when you need to push it's limits. More speed when you need it.

Specifications:

• Made and Designed by Intel
• Gamer Desktop CPU, or Video Editor's CPU
• LGA 1155 Interface for Motherboards
• 3rd Generation Ivy Core i-7
• 3.50 Ghz Speed (which can be overclocked)
• Quad Core, 4 operating cores.
• L3 Cache: 8MB
• Includes Fan
• 77 Watts
• Has Unlocked Multiplier
• Integrated Graphics for Video, and can be utilized in the lower settings for games.
• Each Core for Graphics are between 650-1150 Mhz
• Has an integrated memory controller

From Computer Shopper, but it was ranked #1 out of 5 for CPU processors, even with the Haswell i7-4770K CPU for retail sale, for gaming and video editing. And, the i-5 2500K processor still made #5! See my previous article.

Here's my wrap up:

Pros:

• Ultimate CPU for your gaming and/or Video editing computer; or just simply want a high performance computer without paying the REALLY big I-3970K price of $1K or more!
• Higher efficient-takes less power to run,without compromising performance.
• It can be over clocked, a lot!
• Even includes an integrated video graphics, you could use your computer w/o the videocard.
• It's got extreme high performance, and it's really FAST!
• Doesn't cost as much as the I-7 3970K CPU's, in fact it's more than 1/3rd the price!

Cons:

• It's discontinued, still can buy it, but it's being replaced by the Haswell i-7 4770K
• The fan included may not be sufficient enough when over clocked.
• A little pricey, but for those who will need the Hyper-Threading feature, it's well worth the extra $$$.

Conclusion/Bottom Line:

The Intel i7-3770K CPU isn't for everyone, and because it's over $100 more than the 2500K or 3570K processor from Intel. Granted, for those who are budgeted gamers, the 2500K CPU is really just fine. It's the hyper-threading feature that you're paying for, and with gamer's, they won't notice that much difference, if any at all, but will notice when making the computer run on higher demands on video editing.