Core i7 1st Gen. Motherboards and CPU Combos
When you need to replace a motherboard on an older computer, it can be difficult to find all of the parts you need. If you know that it's a core i7 1st Gen Intel motherboard that you need, it's a time saver to find one with the CPU already installed.
Which Intel processors are included in the first generation?The first generation of Intel core processors replaced the Pentium line of consumer computer processors in 2008 with the Nehalem architecture. This was the first generation of processors that Intel labeled the Core i3, Core i5, and Core i7 variant names for the low-, mid-, and high-end versions. The code names for the Nehalem architecture chips were Gulftown, Bloomfield, Lynnfield, Clarksfield, Clarkdale, and Arrandale. It was during this generation of Intel core processor development that processor features like hyper-threading and Turbo Boost Technology were introduced.
What is a motherboard?A motherboard is the primary circuit board that powers a personal computer whether it's a desktop, laptop, or all-in-one system. The motherboard has the primary chipset, CPU socket, expansion slots, power headers, RAM module slots, and other peripheral connections that are needed to assemble a working computer fully. Motherboards for desktop computers come in a variety of standard sizes and OEM brands like Dell, HP, and Apple. If you are assembling a system yourself, it's important to match your motherboard size to what computer cases are designed to accept it. If you're replacing a motherboard in a brand name system, be sure to buy the exact motherboard for that model to ensure it will be compatible with the case.
What motherboards are available with first generation Intel processors?You can find a variety of different motherboard styles from the first generation of Intel CPUs. There is some variation in the components included with these combos beyond the CPU and its cooler. Some have aftermarket CPU coolers, RAM, and video cards installed as well. Below is a list of some of the Intel motherboard profiles that are available.
- Desktop Mini-ITX
- Desktop ATX
- Desktop Mini-ATX
- Gateway desktop OEM boards
- HP laptop OEM boards
- Dell laptop OEM boards
- Industrial motherboards
- Apple iMac OEM boards
The components needed will vary. Generally, all desktop computers require the following components:
- Computer case
- Keyboard and mouse
- Monitor
- Power supply
- RAM modules
- Hard drive
- Video card (optional)
- Wi-Fi networking card (optional)
- Audio speakers (optional)