Bloomfield (microprocessor)
Intel's first desktop processor with integrated memory controller and QuickPath Interconnect.
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Bloomfield was the internal name Intel gave to its high-end desktop chips sold under the Core i7-9xx label, as well as to single-processor server chips sold as Xeon 35xx. These two product lines were nearly identical in design. Bloomfield took over from the earlier Yorkfield processors and was a close relative of the dual-processor Gainestown line—both share the same CPUID value (0106Ax, family 6, model 26) and use the same socket. Despite being built on the same 45 nm Nehalem microarchitecture as the later Lynnfield and Clarksfield processors, Bloomfield required a different socket, even though some of those later chips also carried the Core i7 name.
Bloomfield introduced several major changes compared to Yorkfield. It used a new LGA 1366 socket that was not backward-compatible with older processors. The memory controller moved onto the processor die itself, forming part of what Intel called the "uncore," which ran at its own clock speed separate from the execution cores. This controller supported three memory channels, each capable of handling up to two DDR3 DIMMs; motherboards typically offered three, four (in a 2-1-1 layout), or six DIMM slots. Only DDR3 memory was supported. The traditional front-side bus was replaced by Intel's QuickPath Interconnect, meaning motherboards needed a chipset that worked with that interface.
The cache layout was also new: each core had 32 kB of L1 instruction cache and 32 kB of L1 data cache, plus 256 kB of L2 cache (combined instruction and data). A shared 8 MB L3 cache (also combined, and "inclusive") was used by all cores. Unlike the multi-chip module approach of Yorkfield—which used two dual-core dies—Bloomfield was a single-die device containing all four cores, the memory controller, and all cache. Turbo Boost technology let active cores automatically increase their clock speed in 133 MHz steps above the rated speed, as long as thermal and electrical limits were not exceeded. Hyper-Threading returned after being absent from the Core architecture; with it enabled, each of the four physical cores could handle two threads, making the processor appear as eight logical CPUs to the operating system. Only one QuickPath interface was included, so the chip was not intended for multi-processor motherboards. The processor was built on a 45 nm process, contained 731 million transistors, and had a die size of 263 mm².
Quick Facts
- Produced-Start
- November 2008
- Produced-End
- January 2011
- Slowest
- 2.66
- Fastest
- 3.33
- Soldby
- Intel
- Arch
- x86, x86-64, MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2
- Microarch
- Nehalem
- Numcores
- 4
- Cpuid
- 106Ax
- Code
- 80601
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Bloomfield introduced the LGA 1366 socket, incompatible with earlier processors, and replaced the front-side bus with the Intel QuickPath Interconnect interface. It features an on-die memory controller called the uncore, running at a separate clock from the execution cores, and supports three-channel DDR3 memory only. Motherboards generally have three, four (2, 1, 1), or six DIMM slots. The processor is a single-die device containing all four cores, the memory controller, and all cache, unlike the multi-chip module of two dual-core dies used in Yorkfield.
Bloomfield re-implemented Hyper-threading, which had been omitted from the Core microarchitecture. With hyperthreading enabled, each of the four physical cores can process up to two threads simultaneously, making the processor appear as eight logical CPUs. Turbo Boost technology allows active cores to clock themselves up in steps of 133 MHz over the design clock rate as long as thermal and electrical requirements are met. Sophisticated power management can place an unused core in zero-power mode.
The processor supports SSE4.2 and SSE4.1 instruction sets. It has only one QuickPath interface and is not intended for multi-processor motherboards. The Core i7 Bloomfield does not support error-correcting memory; some LGA 1366 motherboards support both Core i7 and Xeon processors and advertise ECC support, but ECC functionality is available only with a Xeon installed.
Reader's Guide
Bloomfield marked a significant architectural shift for Intel desktop processors by integrating the memory controller and replacing the front-side bus with QuickPath Interconnect. This design, shared with the Gainestown server processor, allowed for three-channel DDR3 memory and a separate uncore clock. The introduction of Turbo Boost and re-implemented Hyper-threading improved single-threaded and multi-threaded performance. Overclocking was possible with the 900 series and X58 chipset, though using DDR3 DIMMs requiring voltages above 1.65 V could damage the integrated memory controller. Early benchmarks showed that at higher memory clock rates, the processor would access only two memory channels simultaneously, reducing throughput. The Core i7 975 Extreme Edition was considered the world's fastest desktop processor until the i7-980x. The Core i7 950 and 975 Extreme Edition were introduced in March 2009 with prices similar to the 940 and 965 Extreme Edition but with better performance. Intel scheduled discontinuation of the 940 and 965XE for Q3 2009.
Did You Know?
- Bloomfield has 731 million transistors on a 263 mm² die.
- A Core i7 940 system at stock clock rates scored 17,966 in 3DMark Vantage CPU benchmark.
- Intel unlocked the QPI clock and memory multipliers on retail 920s and 940s due to consumer feedback.
Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bloomfield (microprocessor)?
Bloomfield is Intel's internal codename for the high-end desktop chips marketed as Core i7-9xx and the single-socket server chips sold as Xeon 35xx. Both product lines shared virtually the same silicon design and were built on the 45 nm Nehalem microarchitecture.
What made Bloomfield architecturally significant for desktop PCs?
It was the first Intel desktop processor to integrate the memory controller directly onto the die and to use the QuickPath Interconnect for high-speed links to the chipset. This eliminated the discrete northbridge that had been standard on earlier platforms like Yorkfield.
What are Bloomfield's key physical and cache specifications?
The chip contains 731 million transistors on a 263 mm² die fabricated at 45 nm, with a 130 W thermal design power. Each core carries 32 kB of instruction and 32 kB of data L1 cache plus 256 kB of L2 cache.
How does Bloomfield relate to other Nehalem-family processors like Gainestown, Lynnfield, and Clarksfield?
Bloomfield and the dual-socket Gainestown line share the same CPUID identifier (family 6, model 26) and the same physical socket, making them close siblings. Although Lynnfield and Clarksfield also use the Nehalem core, they required a different socket, so Bloomfield could not simply be swapped into those boards.
Why do enthusiasts still discuss Bloomfield years after its release?
It marked the moment Intel moved the memory controller and interconnect onto the CPU die for desktop, a design philosophy that shaped every subsequent x86 architecture. Fans also appreciate that the Core i7-9xx and Xeon 35xx lines were nearly identical, letting server-oriented tuning and overclocking knowledge transfer directly between the two.
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