What is the Difference Between 1st Generation and 2nd Generation i7?

The main differences between the 1st and 2nd generation Intel Core i7 processors are the microarchitecture, cache, and performance improvements. Here are the key differences:

• Microarchitecture: The 2nd generation Core i7 processors are built on the Intel's Sandy Bridge architecture, which is a 32nm microarchitecture, while the 1st generation Core i7 processors were based on Intel's Nehalem and Westmere architectures.
• Cache: 2nd generation Core i7 processors include Intel® Smart Cache, where the cache is dynamically allocated to each processor core depending on the workload. This results in a significant reduction in latency and improved performance.
• Graphics Performance: The 2nd generation Core i7 processors offer improved graphics performance with features like Intel InTru 3D / Clear Video HD and WiDi 2.0, which were not available in the 1st generation Core i7 processors.

1st generation Core i7 processors were introduced in 2010, while the 2nd generation Core i7 processors were introduced in 2011. The 2nd generation Core i7 processors are built on the Sandy Bridge architecture, which is more advanced than the Nehalem and Westmere architectures used in the 1st generation processors. This results in improved performance and power efficiency.

Comparative Table: 1st Generation vs 2nd Generation i7

The main differences between the 1st and 2nd generation Intel Core i7 processors are in their microarchitecture, codename, release year, and performance. Here is a comparison table of the two generations:

• 1st Generation Intel Core i7 (Nehalem): Bloomfield and Gulftown processors are part of the 1st generation Intel Core i7 processors, released in 2008.
• 2nd Generation Intel Core i7 (Sandy Bridge): Gulftown processors belong to the 2nd generation Intel Core i7 processors, released in 2011. The 2nd generation processors have a significantly higher performance and lower power consumption compared to the 1st generation processors.

Differences in microarchitecture between the two generations result in improved performance, lower power consumption, and higher clock speeds for the 2nd generation Intel Core i7 processors.