Core i7 720 QM

[Briarknit]

Originally Posted by Tim

That processor definitely is fast for sure, but im still having problems finding a benchmark.

Ualaa, you're good at this stuff, know of any for that cpu?

I'm really having a hard time finding a benchmark too, and Ulaa are you sure that the 2.8ghz only applies when you're using a single core? Could it be a bug that can be fixed with firmware?

[Poyzon]

Source: Intel Core i7 Goes Mobile - Core i7-920XM 'Clarksfield' CPU Review - Introducing the Clarksfield Mobile Processor - Legit Reviews

To further explain Intel's Turbo Boost Technology on the Core i7 mobile processors, Intel provides this example of how the CPU will automatically combine turbo performance with disabling cores depending on how many threads you are actually using. So with the Core i7-920XM, the CPU will automatically overclock up to 2.26 GHz (up from the base frequency of 2.0 GHz) when you are using all 4 cores. It will then overclock up to 3.06 GHz when using two cores, and all the way up to 3.20 GHz when just using a single core. This is how the Core i7-920XM maintains a max TDP of 55W; by using the power saved by disabling unused cores to boost the frequency of the cores in use, the new i7 mobile processors will put the performance where you need it!

The QM's referred in there too (Base freq: 1.73 GHz -> Top freq: 3.06 GHz)

[Ualaa]

Basically..

The more you strain the laptop/notebook, by boxing more characters in harder environments, the slower the cores go. Down to the slower speed of 2.26, according to the quote above. But, when you run fewer toons and are straining the system less, it auto overclocks itself to a reasonable speed.

So performance is inversely proportional to how you would like it to perform. The regular i7 desktop processors operate the same way, except their main priority is performance and not low wattage for long battery life of the laptop.

This might be a great processor for one or two boxing, but is likely a poor choice for four or five boxing.

[Briarknit]

What about the core i7 desktop processors? Are those still good for 5 boxing? Since 5 boxing would "slow down" the cores to ~3.0 ghz, and since it has hyperthreading you would theoretically have 8 cores at 3.0 ghz, correct?

[Sartori]

I am using the i7 720QM in this laptop:

HP Pavilion 17.3" Laptop featuring Intel Core Processor i7-720QM (DV7-3098CA) - Black - Best Buy Canada

I 5 box on it when I am working out of town and I can tell you I have zero problems. I have my main capped at 60 FPS and high graphics settings, with the slaves capped at 20fps on med settings. In Dal I get 30-40 FPS on main with no lag, in AV I also have zero lag. I have yet to do WG, but I intend on stepping in there shortly. I have not done any direct comparisons with my gaming rig at home (Quad core, 8800GT, 8 Gig Ram), but I would say the laptop performs better for 5 boxing.

The laptop is a little pricey and you could build a much beefier desktop for that price, but I needed something I could easily haul around with me through airports and whatnot.

[Ualaa]

An i7 920 overclocks itself, as you use fewer cores for whatever you are doing.

That said, at stock speed, using all cores...
Warcraft is smooth, basically everywhere except Dalaran/Wintergrasp, and its easily playable in both those areas.
The processor is more then fine for warcraft.

If Sartori is running 5 copies of wow on the i7-720QM, without issue... I'd go with the review of someone who is actually using the processor, over my review which was based on a different user not happy with an i7 based notebook chip. I'm not even sure if it was the 720QM or not.

[Briarknit]

Originally Posted by Ualaa

An i7 920 overclocks itself, as you use fewer cores for whatever you are doing.

That said, at stock speed, using all cores...
Warcraft is smooth, basically everywhere except Dalaran/Wintergrasp, and its easily playable in both those areas.
The processor is more then fine for warcraft.

If Sartori is running 5 copies of wow on the i7-720QM, without issue... I'd go with the review of someone who is actually using the processor, over my review which was based on a different user not happy with an i7 based notebook chip. I'm not even sure if it was the 720QM or not.

If you overclock the stock speed, will it still auto-overclock at times? If I
overclock a 920 to 3.2ghz stock per core, I don't want It to
burn itself out due to the
auto
overclock.

[burningforce]

I may be mistaken, but I believe the turbo boost does not use up too much wattage when it "clocks itself higher", so it will not throw out too much heat then it already is. and I also think a processor can not fry if it is clocked too high, the only thing that can fry a processor is too much voltage and too much heat, but I can be mistaken.

but if you are overclocking, you have the option to turn off turbo boost in the bios (on most desktop i7 motherboards). here is a great write up on turbo boost and overclocking Experiment: Does Intel?s Turbo Boost Trump Overclocking? : Introduction - Review Tom's Hardware

[Briarknit]

Originally Posted by burningforce

I may be mistaken, but I believe the turbo boost does not use up too much wattage when it "clocks itself higher", so it will not throw out too much heat then it already is. and I also think a processor can not fry if it is clocked too high, the only thing that can fry a processor is too much voltage and too much heat, but I can be mistaken.

but if you are overclocking, you have the option to turn off turbo boost in the bios (on most desktop i7 motherboards). here is a great write up on turbo boost and overclocking Experiment: Does Intel?s Turbo Boost Trump Overclocking? : Introduction - Review Tom's Hardware

The only reason I like the i7 is because it has 8 theoretical cores, making it possible to play 8 wows with minimal impact on the speed of the processor.