Intel Core i7-5775C With Iris Pro Graphics Review: Broadwell For Desktops

We have covered Intel’s Broadwell microarchitecture extensively over the last few months. The relatively high-performance and low-power characteristics of Broadwell make it a good fit for a wide range of devices and systems. And as such, Broadwell has found its way into everything from notebooks and tablets, to an array of All-In-Ones and Intel’s own NUC ultra-small-form-factor systems.

Broadwell, however, just recently—as in the last few weeks—made it to the DIY and full-sized desktop market. 14nm Broadwell processors weren’t originally destined for the channel, but Intel ultimately changed course and launched a handful of 5th Generation Core processors, the most powerful of which we’ll show you here today, the Core i7-5775C.

The Core i7-5775C is a socketed, LGA processor, just like the 4th Generation Core processors based on Haswell that came before it. In fact, it’ll work in the very same 9-Series chipset motherboards currently available (after a BIOS update). The Core i7-5775C, however, and a lower-end Core i5-5675C, feature a 128MB eDRAM cache and integrated Iris Pro 6200 series graphics which can boost graphics performance significantly.

Intel Core i7-5775C Desktop Processor Specifications & Features

# of Cores	4
# of Threads	8
Processor Base Frequency	3.3 GHz
Max Turbo Frequency	3.7 GHz
TDP	65 W
Configurable TDP-down Frequency	2.2 GHz
Configurable TDP-down	37 W
Processor Graphics	Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200
Graphics Base Frequency	300 MHz
Graphics Max Dynamic Frequency	1.15 GHz
Graphics Video Max Memory	1.7 GB
Execution Units	48

8-Way Multi-Task Processing: Runs 8 independent processing threads in one physical package. Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200: Offers the best Intel processor graphics with embedded cache (eDRAM) for the stunning visuals and media experience. Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0: Dynamically increases the processor frequency up to 3.7 GHz when applications demand more performance. Speed when you need it, energy efficiency when you don’t. Intel Hyper-Threading Technology: Allows each core of the processor to work on two tasks at the same time providing unprecedented processing capability for better multi-tasking, and for threaded applications.  Intel Smart Cache: 6MB of shared cached allows faster access to your data by enabling dynamic and efficient allocation of the cache to match the needs of each core significantly reducing latency to frequently used data and improving performance. CPU Overclocking Enabled (with Intel Z97 Chipset): Fully unlocked core multiplier, power, base clock and DDR3 memory ratios enable ultimate flexibility for overclocking.  Graphics Overclocking Enabled (with Intel 9 Series Chipset): Unlocked graphics multiplier allows for overclocking to boost the graphics clock speed. Integrated Memory Controller: Supports 2 channels of DDR3-1600 memory with 2 DIMMs per channel. Support for memory based on the Intel Extreme Memory Profile (Intel XMP) specification.  Chipset/Motherboard Compatibility: Compatible with all Intel 9 Series Chipsets with the latest BIOS and MCU. Built-in Visuals: Enhanced built-in visual features deliver a seamless visual PC experience for doing everything from simple e-mail to enjoying the latest 3D and HD entertainment.  Intel Quick Sync Video Technology: Media processing for incredibly fast conversion of video files for portable media players or online sharing. IntelInTru3D: Stereoscopic 3D Blu-ray playback experience in full HD 1080p resolution over HDMI 1.4 with 3D. Intel Clear Video HD Technology: Visual quality and color fidelity enhancements for spectacular HD playback and immersive web browsing. Intel Advanced Vector Extensions 2.0 (Intel AVX 2.0): Increased performance for demanding visual applications like professional video & image editing.

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The Core i7-5775C’s full specifications are listed above. It is a quad-core CPU that can processes up to 8 threads simultaneously, thanks to Intel’s HyperThreading feature. Other features include the aforementioned Intel Iris Pro 6200 series graphics with eDRAM cache, along with a number of other things carried over from previous generation Intel processors.
In terms of its packaging, the Core i7-5775C looks just like other Intel LGA1150 based processors. The heat-spreader design on the top is the same and the underside understandably has the same pad configuration as previous generation Intel CPUs, since the processor is compatible with existing 9-series platforms. The array of caps and pads in the center of the underside, however, are in a different arrangements than Haswell-based processors.

Roughly half of the Core i7-5775C’s die is dedicated to the graphics engine. The Iris Pro 6200 series graphics engine has 48 execution units, which is more than double what’s offered in Intel’s mainstream integrated graphics solution. The Intel HD 4600 series graphics in a Core i7-4790K, for example, has only 20 EUs. The 4790K also lacks the 128MB eDRAM cache. Note, however, that the eDRAM cache is not pictured here.

The Core i7-5775C has a base clock of 3.3GHz with a max turbo frequency of 3.7GHz, though with SpeedStep the chip will drop down to only 800MHz when idle. It has a TDP of only 65W and over 135MB of cache on-board, 256K of L1 (64K per core), 1MB of L2 cache (256K per core), 6MB of L3, and 128MB of L4, which is the eDRAM cache we’ve mentioned. The Iris Pro 6200 series graphics core has a base clock of 300MHz, that can turbo up to 1.15GHz.