Haswell is nothing new to most of our readers. This was Intel’s codename for what will be known as the fourth generation Core technology available for desktop and mobile computers, and we’ve been talking about it for ages. This is a “tock” product, based on Intel’s 22nm manufacturing process and the real revision of a core. Ivy Bridge (2012) was a 22nm shrink and optimisation of Sandy Bridge (2011), a 32nm processor, while Haswell (2013) is a new 22nm architecture.

Haswell has much improved graphics and improved processor core and enhanced overclocking. These would be the key pillars, but let's not forget some neat little things such as Intel’s fully integrated voltage regulator (FIVR). This is important, as the voltage regulator gets on the die consolidating five other Voltage regulators including the one for processor core, graphics VR, system agent VR and IO VR. This ensures better arch flexibility and finer grain on-die processor delivery.

Haswell also brings new vector extension AVX instructions as well as improved AES NI performance. The graphics support DirectX 11.1 and Open CL 1.2, up to three independent displays including VGA, DVI, HDMI 1.4 and DisplayPort outputs. 

Haswell, or the fourth Core generation, also supports DDR3 and DDR3L 1.5V memory and the chipset of choice is codenamed Lynx Point and it is branded as Intel’s 8-series chipset.  

The Core i7 4770K processor works at 3.5GHz while the Turbo overclocks this CPU to 3.9GHz. The maximum TDP of this processor is 84W. As you can see form the CPU Z, our sample was maxing out at 3.899.37 MHz even at the idle time of making a screenshot and it needed 1.071V for that. We didn’t have enough time to play with overclocking, but we will do that in our full review. The Core i7 4470K has 8MB of cache. To refresh your memory the previews generation Ivy Bridge based Core i7 4770K had the same 3.5GHz core clock, 3.9GHz max turbo frequency and 77W TDP, while the new Core i7 4470K has 84W.

Core i7 4470K comes with Intel Graphics 4600 that works between 350MHz and 1.25GHz based on the GT2 core. The graphics architecture is similar to Intel HD Graphics 4000 series seen in the Core i7 3770K, but we will let the numbers speed for themselves. During out testing the GPU was hitting 1.25GHz for the GPU core and 800MHz for the memory, getting to 56 degrees Celsius.

CPU:              Intel Core i7 4770K

CPU-Cooler:   Antec Kühler h2o 620

Memory:        Corsair Vengeance LP PC3-12800 (1600MHz) 8GB (2x4GB) Kit (9-9-9-24)

Hard disk:       Intel SSD 80GB

Motherboard: Intel DZ87KLT-75K

A few days ago we got an Intel Core i7 4770K processor and an Intel reference DZ87KLT-75K motherboard powered by Z87 chipset to play around with. Since we only had time for a preview we won't talk much about the board, you can check the pictures but we will remind you that Haswell Core i7 4470K needs a new LGA1150 socket that should be compatible with 2014 Broadwell processors.

On our test configuration the Cinebench R11.5 render test showed notable difference between Haswell based Core i7 4470K and Ivy Bridge Core i7 3770K. AMDs finest A10 5800K was here just for comparison purposes but it doesn’t really compete in this price range. In this particular test we can see almost 12 per cent difference between the two Core generations. 

The x264 HD video encoding 5.01 test shows that with the help of new instructions and improved instruction per clock Core i7 4470K scores some 13 per cent better score compared to i3770K. 

Crysis 2 with XFX HD 7850 Black Edition

API: DirectX 11 (DirectX 11 Upgrade Patch)
Hi-res Texture: On
Quality: High
Resolution: 1920x1080
Anti-Aliasing: 4X
Map: Central Park
Runs: 3
Comparison: Average FPS

The Crysis score were made with XFX HD 7850 Black Edition external graphics card making a marginal difference across all platforms. In this particular game at High stings 1920x1080 4X. The Core i7 4470K and Core i7 3770K scores are almost identical, while the A10 5800K scores just a frame less. 

Crysis 2 with IGP

API: DirectX 11 (DirectX 11 Upgrade Patch)
Hi-res Texture: Off
Quality: High
Resolution: 1680x1050
Anti-Aliasing: 1X
Map: Central Park
Runs: 3
Comparison: Average FPS

We ran Crysis 2 at high 1680x1050 1X AA and 1X AF getting only 8.2 FPS with Intel Core i7 4470K + HD 4600 GT2 while AMD Richland A10 5800K with integrated HD 7660D scores 11.3, much better but still way below playable frame rates.

At first sight you get some 10+ per cent performance in CPU intensive tests, but we will bring more detailed review soon in order to make a better conclusion. Haswell will definitely do well in the mobile market while the desktop upgrade market got something nice and faster to be happy about. However, we expect the big differences to be in mobile, i.e. battery life.

Stay tuned for more.