Intel Core-i7 3770k Shortage???

[stalkerusa]

I've been a long time reader of Tom's Hardware and of ExtremeTech BEFORE Lloyd Case and crew were released (Ah, the thread about absolutely nothing, good times). I'm not a big forum poster but I lurk a fair amount. I've been building my own systems since the Intel Pentium 200 MMX (yea, ok, I'm showing some age there). I tend to build for longevity so I don't overclock and because I just can't spend $2k to $3k every two to three years. Family comes first, these days! Since I average 5 to 6 years out of my systems, it's not a big deal. Upgrade the video card and I'm good to go. Besides, I can still build it cheaper than the Dells of the world.

My current system is a Core 2 Duo E6700 based system with 4 GB of RAM and an eVGA i680 based SLI motherboard. I'm not an overclocker so my rule has always been to go with the processors that is one step below the Extreme Edition Intel's. It's definately time for me to upgrade and going to Ivy Bridge makes sense (newer should last longer). Except, I can't seem to get my hands on a 3770k. Why an Ivy Bridge CPU? Simply put, PCI 3.0 controller. I'll have optimal upgradability and not limited on video cards. Between the Sandy Bridge-E based Core-i7 3930k and the Ivy Bridge based Core-i7 3770k, I can't ever recall a shortage of CPU's like this. Anyone else seeing the same thing or am I just having bad luck? I know there could have been a post elsewhere but I didn't see it. The the 3930k, when I decided it was time to buy, the shortage seemed to be due to a quick change to the "C" stepping, not that Intel will admit that. I recall "IntelEnthusiast" even posting here in the Tom's forums that Intel is working on getting 3930k chips out as quickly as possible. By the time it the 3930k was out in significant quantities, Ivy Bridge was around the corner, so I waited. And, no, paitence is NOT a strong point of mine. I'd rather have built this two months ago, blast it!

I recall seeing news stories with the headline that Intel denies that there will be a CPU shortage after the delayed launch for Ivy Bridge. With the article today on Tom's Hardware Overclocking Core i7-3770K: Learning To Live With Compromise (Great article guys, thank you), I have to wonder, is Intel aware that overclocking isn't up to par with expectations and are working on a new "stepping" to address this, possibly with better material between the heat spreader and the processor, thus only trickling out 3770k CPUs until the new stepping is ramped up? If so, come on, Intel, man up and say so. Believe it or not, I'd prefer to know than to wonder if the processor I'm waiting for is going to be worth the purchase (Yea, I know, I'll still buy one). Between this and the GeForce GTX 680 shortages, my build is dead in the water.

So, "IntelEnthusiast", care to weigh in, please? Intel has worked with Tom's Hardware and ExtremeTech (in the good old days) before on things, any chance of them doing so in response to the Tom's Hardware Overclocking Core i7-3770k article?

 

[IntelEnthusiast]

First let me address the first part of your question. Do we understand that there is a shortage of the Intel® Core™ i7-3770K in the supply chain right now? Yes we are working to meet the demand for these processors right now. There is a very small stock of them at our distributors as of this morning. Online Retails Stores most likely will see supply coming in and out stock over the next month as we work focus to meet the demands of products that will be launched in the near future (think mobile).

As far as overclocking on the 3rd generation Intel Core processors, yes I have personally experienced overclocking with these processors I know what they are capable of and what they are not. I have my Intel Core i5-3570K set at 4.2GHz due to heat. I personally like the additional features that the 3rd generation Intel Core processors have to offer and while I may not get as high of an overclock from them due to IPC improvements it is keeping the performance very close between the 2nd and 3rd generation Intel Core processors.

Here is the official statement I have gotten on this issue.

We are using a different package thermal technology on 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ desktop processors (Ivy Bridge). Coupled with the higher thermal density of the 22nm process shrink, users may observe higher operating temperatures when overclocking. This is as designed and meets quality and reliability expectations for parts operating under specified conditions.


I haven't heard of any new steppings that are going to be released for these processors, but I also didnt hear about any stepping change for the socket 2011 Intel Core processors before it they were released.

I hope that this has at least answered some of your questions.