@G0D1N0:
What would happen if the Core i3 had an unlocked multiplier? We tested the Core i3-3220 (Core i7-3770K 2C/4T) @ 4.5 GHz
We decided to record with the "Core i3-3220K" processor, which is actually a Core i7-3770K with two cores disabled.
NOTE!
The processor called Core i3-3220K, of course, does not exist. This is just an attempt to simulate the Core i7-3770K, with half the cores discounted!
Core i3 K version?
Intel's official media probably never mentioned the Core i3 unlock. Open, the one whose multiplier can be freely adjusted. The first Core i3 with LGA1156 socket, but they were locked with the multiplier, the ability to adjust the BCLK frequency could overclock even above 4.5 GHz. So we could have a relatively cheap processor to buy a fairly fast processor, but we are talking, of course, about gaming, since that's what we are most interested in today.
Since overclocking Sandy Bridge Core i3 does not really exist and people who want to accelerate their equipment have to spend much more on a Core i5 with an unlocked multiplier, or look at AMD's range. Unlocked "green" processors, you can get from 300 EUR, for example, the Athlon X4 750K model! Also, do not forget about the FX-s - all have unlocked multipliers.
Today we show you what would happen if... the Core i3 had an unlocked multiplier. Unfortunately, Intel does not provide this type of processor, so we decided to make a comparison on our own. We took the Core i7-3770K and disabled the two cores. Sorry, we could not remove the third-level cache, so it still has 8 MB, but we have examined its impact on performance, publishing the Core i7-3770K 2C/4T speed clock graphics at 3.3 GHz, which is identical to that of the Core i3-3220. The following is the unit that participated in the comparison (especially interested in overclocked systems).
Summary:
Would this Core i3 with an unlocked multiplier be a success? Well, yes and no. There is no doubt that it would be an attractive proposal for people for whom gaming is the most important of many applications. After a little more than 400 zł you would get a processor that, after overclocking, but not corresponding to the partially blocked Core i5, would be faster than AMD units (also overclocked). Of course, we are still talking about a single application, and it must be remembered that, in the best use of multithreading, the Core i3 would have no chance with the mentioned systems.
In our opinion, Intel did not add a Core i3 with an unlocked multiplier. It would be an interesting option, providing a soft landing for those who cannot afford a quad-core Core i5 and would like to have a fast processor for games. But only for them, because someone who would be enough effective Core i5, and so do not have to think about what an unlocked Core i3 would be.
The graphics also place first the performance of the Core i3, which appeared on the desktop market, and also the only one that could reasonably adjust. Core i3-500 family and its representative Core i3-550, even after accelerating to 4.4 GHz, is not able to catch up in terms of performance implicit clock speed of a scorching Core i3-3220 processor (3.3 GHz). This demonstrates how significant performance increase has occurred in terms of frequency in recent years in Intel's offer.
I think it would be an interesting option if the price were worth it, if they were to put it as one of the low-end i5 I don't see it as good anymore, no matter how much you can overclock.
It would have to be a CPU for less than 100€, because it would not only be good for gaming, it would also be good for HTPC, small equipment and not very expensive, it could be good for many things, but if they put a high price on it, I don't think most people would be interested, only for OC and trying to make a superpi record and benchmark of that style, which only use one core.
Because in terms of OC a dual should overclock well, they should go to a higher frequency than the Quad and more if they put it through LN2, but of course the price of the CPU would matter a lot.
Anyway, I don't think they can simulate well what an unlocked I3 would be like, since that CPU should overclock better than a 3770K, although the wafers will influence, but a dual is very likely to go higher than a Quad.
Regards