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Intel Core i7-3770K Ivy Bridge LGA1155 Processor Review

Eric Garay
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It’s for another processor launch from Intel. The new Ivy Bridge is a 22nm architecture based on the same LGA1155 socket as Sandy Bridge. It’s basically a shrunken die from Sandy Bridge (32nm) supporting many of the same features, but on the supporting Z77 chipset side (code named “Panther Point”), adds native USB 3.0, PCI Express 3.0, Lucid MVP and faster DDR3 memory support. This chipset is found on motherboards like the MSI Z77A-GD65 that we reviewed with the original Sandy Bridge CPU onboard.


We think the new Intel Z77 chipset is a worthwhile upgrade for P67 board owners who use their system for more than gaming. Like anyone else, we want to know what kind of performance gains Ivy Bridge offers over Sandy Bridge. Is Ivy Bridge fast enough to make us want to upgrade the board and CPU? Or can we stick with Sandy bridge and just upgrade to a Z77 platform? It’s time to find out!

Ivy Bridge Features and Specification

The physical differences are underneath those little aluminum CPU caps. While Ivy Bridge and Sandy Bridge offer similar features, the former is designed to speed up performance as well as add a few new features. Because the list is always changing from processor to processor, let’s break them down quickly before eating more technical jargon.

Even though Ivy Bridge flaunts 1.4 billion transistors, you wouldn’t notice by looking at her 22nm figure. The die shrink means lower power consumption and thermal output. Ivy Bridge’s turbo performance is higher due to the chips more efficient thermal monitoring. She knows when to work harder to help accomplish a task without costing you valuable power. However, overclocking the cores to get to that 2667MHz DDR3 divider will naturally get hot and consume more power.

Regular Ivy Bridge SKUs (on the left) consume a max of 77 watts while Sandy Bridge’s is 95 watts at full load. This includes turbo load operations. Thanks to the 22nm architecture, this achievement is very impressive. In fact, Ivy Bridge’s max turbo frequency is 400 MHz vs Sandy Bridge’s 300MHz. That’s not a whole lot of extra clock speed gain, but the new architecture’s enhancements like L2 cache and enhanced memory controller efficiency give it a punch which we’ll see later on.

Ivy Bridge HD 4000 PCI Express Graphics

Ivy Bridge sports a new Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics processor. Like Ivy Bridge’s turbo capable cores, the GPU has a dynamically scaling core frequency as well.

The graphics processor tops out at 1350MHz which is handy for extra needed for today’s games and apps. The HD 4000 supports up to 3 displays this time around which is very good for office productivity but not ideal for gaming. You’ll need a couple good graphics cards for that. Now, the real question is what does this all do for you?

As you can see, these are the primary features which the HD 4000 GPU supports. InTru 3D, HD Graphics, Clear Video HD, Insider and Wireless Display are hardwired to support your favorite media content whether 2D or 3D as well. We’re talking about an impressive media viewing experience even over a Wi-Fi connection on desktop and mobile laptop processors. And, if you didn’t know by now, Intel Quick Sync is optimized to work extremely well with software like Media Espresso 6.0/6.5 and ArcSoft to help transcode your favorite media in seconds rather than minutes.

Panther Point Features and Specifications

Chipset block diagrams are about the easiest way to compare Z77 and Z68 chipset changes that support Ivy Bridge. Remember, a lot of features are CPU integrated now so many of the features are similar and the diagrams reflect that. The motherboard chipset makes sure the CPU and peripherals communicate properly and efficiently.

The big winner feature adopted by all Intel chipset ODMs is Lucid Logix MVP. The Lucid controller allows users to access their CPU’s integrated graphics features in the previous section. However, it also allows the system to utilize the IGP and discreet graphics card’s performance simultaneously which adds frames. This can come in very handy if your graphics card needs that extra support till you upgrade.

Integrating USB 3.0 removes the need for third party controllers. Up to four ports are supported. However, if the platform features more, third party controllers have to be used to add them. The same goes for SATA3 ports which max out at six. A single x16 PCIE 3.0 lane is split in two 2 by 8x when running dual graphics. The chipset even supports Thunderbolt devices, originally known as Intel LightPeak. Z77 supports just about every form of UEFI BIOS that any ODM can create.





Time to Race Ivy Bridge

We recently chose to use the MSI Z77A-GD65 to test Sandy Bridge compatibility. Just t0 recap, the board was equally up to the task of handling a 48 hour burn test, showing us a bit more efficiency running Sandy Bridge than the previous P67 and overclocking our Core i7-2600K to 4.9GHz without over-extreme voltage. I’m reusing the same system to test Ivy Bridge. We do have a pile of Z77 motherboards to present to you in the next couple weeks so you can pick out your own platform from a competitive bunch. Stay tuned for that.

Here’s the breakdown of the test system with all the previous trimmings except for the swapped out Ivy Bridge Core i7-3770K processor.

We wanted to include dual NVIDIA GTX 680 PCIE 3.0 graphics cards, but due lack of supply, we weren’t able to get our hands on a couple of Kepler reference cards. In fact, all our favorite retailers and/or partners are still out of stock. Since we need to verify dual graphics performance is working properly, I’m happily stuck using two of my favorite MSI video cards based on the GTX 560 Ti GPU.

Ivy Bridge/Z77 Overclocking and Temperatures

The average overclock on P67 and Z68 motherboards was 4.8GHz. The highest overclock we ever achieved was 5-5.2GHz using an ASUS Maximus IV Extreme using up to about 1.5 volts. I tried using similar efforts to push Ivy  Bridge higher using various Z77 boards but 4.9GHz seems to be on the hairy edge of unstable. The comment I’ve heard regularly is that Ivy Bridge doesn’t quite reach the same overclocked frequencies in this revision due to focus on inter-core/gate efficiencies than voltage regulation and frequency. It’s possible that a new stepping or future revision may do even better though a solid 4.8GHz is nothing to scoff at.

Ivy Bridge runs about as cool at stock and turbo frequencies as Sandy Bridge. The chip averaged 50C when beating up the cores under the HAVIK 140 CPU cooler. During gaming, the CPU temps were as low as 43C depending on the game title and how many cores it utilizes.

Something I wasn’t expecting was that the Z77 boards ran noticeably cooler than the P67 and slightly cooler than Z68 platforms in the past. Heat sinks do help play a tiny roll in cooling but it’s honestly a pretty small part since there’s usually a piece of thermal tape between the component and heat sink. Unfortunately, the temps are truly ambiguous at best as it comes down to the quality of components used and how much voltage engineers tuned to flow through them.

Benchmark Notes

First thing to keep in mind is that these scores were achieved using the Intel DZ77GA-70K Extreme motherboard. Performance will definitely vary across various motherboards due to characteristics like BIOS, chipset tuning, voltage regulation, turbo transient responses and peripherals. Here’s the benchmark break down list.

CPU/Processor

  • SANDRA Math/Multimedia/Crypto/Memory Bandwidth/Multi-core Efficiency
  • Cinebench R11.5
  • 7Zip (Compression)
  • HyperPi
  • WPrime

Graphics Interface

  • Aliens vs Predator Benchmark (DX11)
  • Metro 2033 (DX11)
  • Batman Arkham City (DX11)
  • 3DMark11 (Performance Setting)

The DZ77GA-70K subsystem IO, audio, quality and power consumption will be scrutinized in our Z77 round up along with the rest of the group. We’ve been looking over every aspect of the boards right down to the BIOS so expect more detail in these upcoming reviews.

CineBench R11.5

Speaking of rendering, Ivy Bridge shows us how those core improvements increased performance. It actually catches up to the previous processors in single core performance. Why? It’s all about the Intel Turbo that ramps up quicker on the quad cores. While multicore performance has improved over Sandy Bridge, it doesn’t catch up to the hex cores.

7Zip

Raw core muscle makes the difference in this benchmark. Even the AMD FX-8150 flexes some muscle. Ivy Bridge steps up and puts the Bulldozer back in perspective. With four more Hyper Threads, Ivy Bridge would easily catch Sandy Bridge-E. If AMD’s focus had more focus, it would be a different story I’m sure.





SANDRA CPU Benchmarks

This is a good indicator as to the computational power inside Ivy Bridge. There’s roughly a 15% performance gain over Sandy Bridge. That’s about the average increase from CPU to CPU.

Again, we see about the same kind of performance gain in Crypto. It’s interesting to see that Ivy Bridge has just about caught up with the Gulftown Core i7-980X. Pretty cool given the Gulftown cost $1000 vs the $320 Ivy Bridge.

Here, the Core i7-2600K system memory was set to 1600MHz. This tells us that there is probably some tuning in Ivy Bridge but not a lot different from Sandy Bridge’s integrated memory controller. However, Ivy Brdige is able to match the slower stock 1333MHz Core i7-980X’s triple channel setup.

The more bandwidth and lower the latency, the better. Ivy Bridge is a little faster on the bandwidth and lower on internal core latencies. This should mean the cores are able to utilize the cache more efficiently thus increasing rendering and transcoding performance. Overall, Ivy Bridge is right on par with Intel’s usual performance increase from generation to generation.

3D Game and Graphics Benchmarks

Game benchmarks were run using GTX 560 Ti SLI using NVIDIA 296.10 drivers and Ivy Bridge’s HD 4000 IGP. Settings were set to max or default max on each DirectX11 title. Keep in mind that your results will vary due to motherboard tuning and video card frequencies.

Alien vs Predator Benchmark – Dx11

This DirectX11 benchmark is easily downloadable and tests your system’s graphics. I’m using it here to show everyone that when it comes to gaming, it doesn’t take a $1,000 or $500 processor to get your elite game on. The Z77 platform just seemed a bit more efficient providing slightly higher frames on the average.

Metro 2033 – DX11

Yes, these are true results as Metro 2033 makes Crysis 2 look like a DX9 game. In other words, Ivy Bridge (or any processor here for that matter) will make a great gaming CPU if you have the $320 US to couple with a Z77 board. It’s all about the graphics!

Batman Arkham City – DX11

It’s Batman, it’s fun, it’s elite! The frame rates are very close again. The Core i7-3960X just kept the higher average. As long as you select a capable video card, these processors will have no problem keeping the action going.





Intel HD 4000 Gaming

As you can see, these aren’t exactly high frame rates. But they’re about 9 frames higher than the Intel HD 3000 IGP found on Sandy Bridge. Like you, we would have liked to see a bit more performance. However, the IGP are primarily designed more for video encoding , productivity and power savings than gaming.

3DMark11 – Performance 720p Settings

And, the final benchmark reveals any PCI Express 2.0 graphics SLI solution will work. A GTX 680 ran just fine as well but doesn’t show its potential till there are at least two in SLI. There are still plenty of Fermi GTX 500 series out there to save money on in the meantime.

Media Transcoding

In these tests, we’re using two programs from Intel’s ecosystem partner support. These programs are specifically optimized to take advantage Intel Quick Sync and other built in visual capabilities. It’s similar to video editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro being optimized for NVIDIA based video cards versus AMD ones. The end results speak for themselves.

Media Espresso 6.5 and ArcSoft Converter 7

It’s all about the supported optimizations. The Core i7-3770K Ivy is just ever so slightly faster than the Core i7-2600K Sandy. Both leave the extreme Core i7s in the dust. Why? Neither of those processors have integrated graphics nor Intel Quick Sync. In raw power, the extremes win every time. In media, you have to love Ivy Bridge and Sandy Bridge.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to productivity, it’s clear that Intel’s processors are the best choice. While some argue it’s not the best bang for buck, just consider the performance-upgrade time frame. Users who have purchased one of the the last two Intel architectures don’t need to upgrade unless they need faster, more productive system for content creation like media transcoding and data compiling. Even gamers on Next Generation Lynnfield LGA1156 processors only need to focus on their graphics card upgrade. However, the Core i7-3770K Ivy Bridge processor really shines when you put Intel Quick Sync to work using affordable supported software titles from Cyberlink and ArcSoft. Ivy Bridge can help shave tons of time off your projects.

The new Z77 Express Chipset provides SSD caching, Lucid MVP integrated video assistance and PCI Express 3.0. With the exception of PCI Express 3.0 for the time being, all these features add value to the platform. With the addition of a small inexpensive 20-30GB SSD, system response improves noticeably with Intel Smart Response. The new Lucid MVP utilizes the CPU’s integrated GPU to add precious frames to your discreet graphics solution which could prolong the need to upgrade your graphics card. All you have to do now is pick a Z77 platform as they all come with these upgrades.

Consumers will find the high performance Core i7-3770K Ivy Bridge at the usual high volume E-tailers for roughly $320 with the i7-3770 and i7-3570 brothers dropping in $30 increments. Keep in mind the K-SKU is the optimal choice for overclocking enthusiasts.

If you’re buying a new system today, this combination of Ivy Bridge and a new Z77 based chipset board is really hard to beat. It’s combination of value, performance, and little downside makes the whole spread of Intel goodies an Editors’ Choice in my book.

Ivy Bridge Pros

  • Efficient Hyper Thread performance
  • Ivy Bridge 77 Watts vs Sandy Bridge 95 Watts
  • Intel Quick Sync and Advanced Vectoring
  • Supports up to 3 displays
  • Rich HD and 3D media experience
  • Backwards compatible with all Intel 6 Series motherboards
  • PCI Express 3.0 support

Ivy Bridge Cons

  • None

Intel Z77 Panther Point Pros

  • Lucid Logix MVP
  • SSD Caching
  • Native USB 3.0
  • Very good overclocking potential
  • Compatible with all Intel 2nd and 3rd Generation processors
  • PCI Express 3.0 support
Intel Z77 Panther Point Cons
  • You need an Ivy Bridge CPU to get the best out of the chipset

Overall Rating: 9.0 / 10.0

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