Choosing The Best LGA 1156 Processor For Overclocking
Intel has released three different processors so far that are all based on the LGA 1156 interface: the Core i5-750 at 2.66 GHz, the Core i7-860 at 2.8 GHz, and the faster Core i7-870 at 2.93 GHz. These processors not only differ in their base clock speed, but also in how Turbo Boost performance acceleration is implemented. The 800-series can speed up individual cores more aggressively than the other models. Let’s have a quick look.
Turbo Boost: Available Bins (Under TDP/A/Temp)
| Processot Number | Frequency | 4 Cores Active | 3 Cores Active | 2 Cores Active | 1 Core Active |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core i7-870 | 2.93 GHz | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Core i7-860 | 2.8 GHz | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Core i5-750 | 2.66 GHz | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Core i7-975 | 3.33 GHz | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Core i7-950 | 3.06 GHz | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Core i7-920 | 2.66 GHz | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
You would expect that faster processor models tend to be more overclockable, but this isn’t a given and may vary. Since the core is the same for all existing LGA 1156-based processors, we decided to look at the pricing structure before making a decision. The 1,000-unit price for the Core i7-870 is $562. We believe that’s too expensive for most cost-conscious enthusiasts, and decided to instead check out the remaining models: Core-i7-860 at $284 and the i5-750 at $196.
Since our launch coverage and related articles typically utilize the faster models, we decided to go for the entry-level processor in our initial overclocking project. This model should be the most attractive for the majority of our readers.
We start with a 2.66 GHz base clock and a Turbo Boost implementation able to take the chip to a maximum of 3.2 GHz. Since the Core i7-870 reaches 3.6 GHz at maximum Turbo Boost speed for a single core, we decided to start our overclockings at 3.6 GHz as well, and look to see where the most affordable Core i5 can go.
