Comments on: Intel Core i7 chip reviews arrive--yes, it's fast

Intel's Core i7 processor is expected to launch later this month--appearing first in fast gaming desktop PCs.

[Imalittleteapot]

If it goes to 8 cores why isn't it i8? Does the 7 comes from somewhere or is it just there to sound cool? Maybe it has to do with marketing with Windows 7? Maybe, just maybe someone just forgot to declare option base? :) Oh well, I suppose it doesn't really matter.

[rnaoncfixd]

But these knobs go to 11.

[Imalittleteapot]

lol.

[Steamer320]

Its because its the 7'th architecture (family).

[Imalittleteapot]

I knew it was something like that. I just couldn't think of what it was.

[coryschulz]

This doesn't affect me until Apple brings it to their iMacs.

[thelemurking]

Well then, I guess all Cnet reports should check with you first before posting an article to see if is relevant to your interest.

Good luck upgrading that iMac.

[sanenazok]

Not even the iMac, is it possible to replace the mobo+CPU on any Mac? Oh that's right, then you couldn't use OS X. My ultra solid 1993 Dell tower is on its sixth motherboard now! If you buy a well-designed PC you can keep upgrading it forever and have it run the OS of your choice.

[Art Dir]

"If you buy a well-designed PC you can keep upgrading it forever and have it run the OS of your choice."

As long your OS of choice is Windows or Linux and similar (not really supported well enough for most users). Actually, the only PC that CAN run any OS of your choice is a Mac (unless you're into the PIA of exotic open source mods). I'll take a computer running OS X over your "well designed" PC any day. Did you say Dell and well designed in the same sentence? I guess that rats nest of wires and knuckle busting interior could be considered well designed by those that are into that kind of thing.

Nehalem has been on the roadmap for Macs for quite sometime now.

[SixVodkas]

Pertaining the responses about "upgrading Macs"- Unless you've been hiding under a rock for nearly 3 years, Macs ship with socketed Intel boards.

I mean, really, do try to keep up with current (*cough* *cough* YEARS old news) technology, won't you?

[sflocal]

Right, spending all that money on what is basically new PC on the inside just so you can say you saved the $60 bucks on that Dell chassis. That's good economics buddy. :)

I've built all my own PC's too. They were (at the time), always cutting-edge and cost was no option. Once they were built, I never "upgraded" the components since doing the math, I could build an entirely new PC and keep the old one. This was a cycle that just never stopped. I finally stopped it when I decided to join the mainstream and bought an Apple. I've never looked back. When the time comes to "upgrade", just like the on my custom PC's, I'll just buy whatever pre-built Apple using the most latest technology at that time.

This can be said with any vendor like Dell, HP, Voodoo, Alienware. I enjoyed building my own PC's but after 10 years of doing that, it just got old really fast. Component failure out of the way, Everyone I know that built their machines or purchased one of mine, have just purchased new PC's instead of upgrading their old ones.

[thelemurking]

@SixVodkas

Reading Comprehension... it's a wonderful thing. States above were referring to iMacs, not Macs... if you pay close attention, you will actually be able to focus on the i in front of the Mac which makes it a whole different beast than a regular Mac.

[skrubol]

SixVodkas:
Good luck plugging this LGA1366 chip into your LGA751 motherboard.
Macs don't have user replaceable motherboards, therefore will not be able to upgrade to the i7.

[Olu070]

This is crying to be used with OSX which is multi-processer aware and will get even better with Snow Leopard and Grand Central. I wouldn't be surprised to see this in the Mac Pro soon.

[skrubol]

Funny, this is the first time I've heard that this chip will benefit games. The only source linked to didn't even mention games. On content creation and productivity, there is clear benefit to the i7, but on games it's a wash against the Core2Q's.

[JamesRatcliff]

this won't go into the Mac Pro's - it's a desktop chip so read that as "single cpu."

Mac Pro's have dual cpu's and need the corresponding Xeon range accordingly.

iMac may have it before too long.