Intel i7-960 AT80601002727AA User Manual

Product codes

AT80601002727AA

Introduction

Datasheet

The processor is a multi-core processor built on the 45 nm process technology, that
uses up to 130 W thermal design power (TDP). The processor features an Intel QPI
point-to-point link capable of up to 6.4 GT/s, 8 MB Level 3 cache, and an integrated
memory controller.

The processor supports all the existing Streaming SIMD Extensions 2 (SSE2),
Streaming SIMD Extensions 3 (SSE3) and Streaming SIMD Extensions 4 (SSE4). The
processor supports several Advanced Technologies: Intel

64 Technology (Intel

64),

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep

Technology, Intel

Virtualization Technology (Intel

VT),

Intel

Turbo Boost Technology, and Intel

Hyper-Threading Technology.

1.1

Terminology

A ‘#’ symbol after a signal name refers to an active low signal, indicating a signal is in
the active state when driven to a low level. For example, when RESET# is low, a reset
has been requested. Conversely, when VTTPWRGOOD is high, the V

power rail is

stable.

‘_N’ and ‘_P’ after a signal name refers to a differential pair.

Commonly used terms are explained here for clarification:

• Intel

Core™ i7-900 Desktop Processor Extreme Edition Series and Intel

Core™ i7-900 Desktop Processor Series — The entire product, including
processor substrate and integrated heat spreader (IHS).

• 1366-land LGA package — The Intel Core™ i7-900 desktop processor Extreme

Edition series and Intel Core™ i7-900 desktop processor series are available in a
Flip-Chip Land Grid Array (FC-LGA) package, consisting of the processor mounted
on a land grid array substrate with an integrated heat spreader (IHS).

• LGA1366 Socket — The processor (in the LGA 1366 package) mates with the

system board through this surface mount, 1366-contact socket.

• DDR3 — Double Data Rate 3 Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory

(SDRAM) is the name of the new DDR memory standard that is being developed as
the successor to DDR2 SRDRAM.

• Intel

QuickPath Interconnect (Intel QPI)— Intel QPI is a cache-coherent,

point-to-point link based electrical interconnect specification for Intel processors
and chipsets.

• Integrated Memory Controller — A memory controller that is integrated into the

processor die.

• Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS) — A component of the processor package used

to enhance the thermal performance of the package. Component thermal solutions
interface with the processor at the IHS surface.

• Functional Operation — Refers to the normal operating conditions in which all

processor specifications, including DC, AC, signal quality, mechanical, and thermal,
are satisfied.

• Enhanced Intel SpeedStep

Technology — Enhanced Intel SpeedStep

Technology allows the operating system to reduce power consumption when
performance is not needed.

• Execute Disable Bit — Execute Disable allows memory to be marked as

executable or non-executable, when combined with a supporting operating system.
If code attempts to run in non-executable memory the processor raises an error to
the operating system. This feature can prevent some classes of viruses or worms
that exploit buffer overrun vulnerabilities and can thus help improve the overall