For those constructors wanting to build a top-end performance box that won’t set them back a small fortune, the Intel Core i7 920 is a good place to start from: With 4 cores capable of processing eight threads simultaneously, due to the re-introduction of hyperthreading technology, last seen with the Pentium 4, Intel’s budget i7 chip scores well in all performance trials. At only £200 UKP inc VAT, the baby of the bunch, although still rather costly, provides the punch that any top-of-the-range system would currently ever need.

As with all the other i7 family, manufactured using a 45nm process, it has a 256KB Level 2 cache, as well as a further 8.192 MBs of level 3 cache which is shared between the cores. This amount of L3 cache improves performance by reducing the need to access system RAM. At a little less than half the price of the next one up in the i7 bunch, the 2.66Ghz 920 is only marginally slower than the 940.

The i7 processors use a technology called Quick Path Interconnect. This replaces the usual front-side-bus with a memory controller integrated into the chip itself, reducing bottlenecks where both the processor and also other components make system requests on a single bus.

With the advent of the Core i5 on the horizon, in fact some already in production, some may think it prudent to wait a while and see how the new range’s price will compare, as well as to hope for a price reduction in the i7 family’s costs. For the time being, however, if a new hi-performance box is a must in the now, the socket LGA1366 i7 920 is a good choice that won’t set you back financially as much as the other family members.

If it’s extreme overclockability you’re looking for, then it’s going to cost you a little over £500 extra for a 3.2 GHz Core i7 965 Extreme Edition with its unlocked multipliers.

When it comes to the matter of system memory; the Core i7 chips can only utilise DDR3 RAM, which doesn’t help towards the overall cost either at time of going to press; but for the extra performance many will think that the financial sacrifice is well worth the investment.

Have you built a new system using an i7 chip? Did you use a 920, or did you shell out a load more dosh for the extra overclockability?