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Core i7, i5 & i3 LGA1156 Processors Thread: Clarkdale Supports HD Audio Bitstreaming!

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#1 ·
The purpose of this thread is collect information on Core i7, i5 and i3 processors (Lynnfield and Clarkdale).

Table of Contents
  • Nehalem Microarchitecture
  • System Architectures for the Nehalem Processors
  • List of LGA 1156 Processors
    • Branding Scheme
  • Intel 5 Series Chipsets (Ibex Peak)
  • Core i7 and i5 Processor (Lynnfield)
  • P55 Chipset Motherboards
  • Core i5 and i3 Processor (Clarkdale)
  • Integrated Graphics (Ironlake)
    • The new Intel Clear Video HD technology
    • HD Audio Bitstreaming
  • H55/H57 Chipset Motherboards
  • Intel Processor Roadmap
  • Sandy Bridge: The Next Bang!
  • Reviews
Clarkdale Processor:

Nehalem Microarchitecture

Nehalem Microarchitecture is an Intel processor microarchitecture that succeeded Core Microarchitecture and was released in November 2008. It is based on Core Microarchitecture with several new technologies:
  • A new processor bus, called Intel QuickPath interconnect, that features point-to-point serial bus topology, similar to PCI Express and HyperTransport (AMD adopted it in 2003).
  • IMC (Integrated Memory Controller) supporting up to triple channel DDR3.
  • Performance improvement by adding new functions such as
    • SMT (Simultaneous Multi-Threading), the revival of HyperThreading Technology in Pentium 4
    • New 3-level cache hierarchy, L2, L2 (new 256KB/core), L3 (8MB fully-shared)
    • New 2-level TLB (Translation Lookaside Buffer) hierarchy
    • L2 branch predictor

The desktop versions of the Nehalem processor are (in chronological order):
  • Bloomfield: Core i7 processors released on November 17, 2008. 4 cores/8 threads, LGA 1366, 45 nm.
  • Lynnfield: Core i7 and i5 processors released on September 8, 2009. 4 cores/(up to) 8 threads, LGA 1156, 45 nm.
  • Clarkdale: Core i5 and i3 processors to be released in January 2010. 2 cores/(up to) 4 threads, integrated graphics core, LGA 1156, 32 nm.
  • Gulftown: Core i9 processors expected in Q2 2010. 6 cores/12 threads, LGA 1366, 32 nm.

(The 32 nm version of Nehalem is dubbed Westmere.) Then Sandy Bridge Microarchitecture will succeed in 2011.


Most people in this forum will be concerned with Clarkdale (mainstream) and Lynnfield (high-end). Bloomfield will be limited to extreme high-end (>=$500), as well as Gulftown ($1000?).

System Architectures for the Nehalem Processors


Core i7 (Bloomfield) system architecture is very similar to the AMD platform: memory controller is integrated in CPU; CPU and IOH (I/O Hub) are connected by QuickPath InterConnect (similar to HyperTransport); IOH and ICH (I/O Controller Hub) are connected by DMI (Direct Media Interface) (~PCI Express x4 just like AMD's A-Link Xpress II).


In Core i7 and i5 (Lynnfield), PCI Express controller is integrated in CPU; CPU and PCH (Platform Controller Hub) are connected by DMI. In Core i5 & i3 (Clarkdale) further includes graphics core and video streams are transported to Display Interface Controller in PCH via FDI (Flexible Display Interface).


More details on Clarkdale:


And Sandy Bridge that supports SATA 6Gbps and USB 3.0 (Update: postponed until 2012):


Sandy Bridge will be the mainstream Intel processor in 2011. So Clarkdale will be short-lived. Check Intel Processor Roadmap .

List of LGA 1156 Processors

Lynnfield processors (4-core, no IGP, 45 nm; to be released on September 8)


- Core i7 870 (8 Threads/2.93GHz/TB 3.60GHz/L3 8MB/DDR3-1333 2ch/95W) $562

- Core i7 860 (8 Threads/2.80GHz/TB 3.46GHz/L3 8MB/DDR3-1333 2ch/95W) $284 ✓

- Core i5 750 (4 Threads/2.66GHz/TB 3.20GHz/L3 8MB/DDR3-1333 2ch/95W) $196 ✓

- Core i7 860S (8 Threads/2.53GHz/TB 3.46GHz/L3 8MB/DDR3-1333 2ch/82W) $337

- Core i5 750S (4 Threads/2.40GHz/TB 3.20GHz/L3 8MB/DDR3-1333 2ch/82W) $259

Clarkdale processors (2-core, IGP, 32 nm; to be released in January 2010 at CES 2010)


- Core i5 670 (4 Threads/3.46GHz/TB 3.73GHz/GPU 733MHz/L3 4MB/DDR3-1333 2ch/73W) $284

- Core i5 661 (4 Threads/3.33GHz/TB 3.60GHz/GPU 900MHz/L3 4MB/DDR3-1333 2ch/87W) $196 ✓

- Core i5 660 (4 Threads/3.33GHz/TB 3.60GHz/GPU 733MHz/L3 4MB/DDR3-1333 2ch/73W) $196

- Core i5 650 (4 Threads/3.20GHz/TB 3.46GHz/GPU 733MHz/L3 4MB/DDR3-1333 2ch/73W) $176


- Core i3 540 (4 Threads/3.06GHz/TB -/GPU 733MHz/L3 4MB/DDR3-1333 2ch DDR3/73W) $133

- Core i3 530 (4 Threads/2.93GHz/TB -/GPU 733MHz/L3 4MB/DDR3-1333 2ch DDR3/73W) $113 ✓

- Pentium G6950 (2 Threads/2.80GHz/TB -/GPU 533MHz/L3 3MB/DDR3-1066 2ch/73W) $87

References Branding Scheme


The most important features that distinguish between i7, i5 and i3 are:
  • Number of threads (instead of the number of cores)
  • Turbo Boost Technology

Roughly speaking,
  • Core i7 = 8 threads, Turbo Boost (4 cores [Lynnfield])
  • Core i5 = 4 threads, Turbo Boost (4 cores [Lynnfield] or 2 cores [Clarkdale])
  • Core i3 = 4 threads, no Turbo Boost (2 cores [Clarkdale])




Intel 5 Series Chipsets (Ibex Peak)


According to this source , Braidwood will not be supported by the 5 Series chipsets, hence P57 was canceled.


Core i7 and i5 Processor (Lynnfield)


Here are two charts from AnandTech that perhaps HTPC users are most interested in.

x264 HD Benchmark Ver. 2.0


Power Consumption at Idle and x264 HD Benchmark


P55 Chipset Motherboards


P55 chipset motherboards come in three flavors:
  • Non-SLI: The PCI Express 2.0 x16 link does not split.
  • SLI x8: The PCI Express 2.0 link splits into two x8 links, SLI-certified by NVIDIA.
  • SLI x16: The nForce 200 chip is equipped for 2-way SLI: x16, x16 and 3-way SLI: x16, x8, x8.

Basically price (and the number of other features) increases in this order. CrossFireX is supported in every P55 motherboard in every possible way: x16, x4 / x8, x8 / x8, x8, x4 etc.


The PCI Express 2.0 x16 link is directly connected to the processor. Moreover the P55 chipset has 8 PCI Express 2.0 (but of the same bandwidth as 1.x) lanes. Typically these 8 lanes are used in the following way:
  • PCI Express x1 expansion slot
  • PCI Express x1 expansion slot
  • PCI Express x4 expansion slot
  • SATA/eSATA/PATA PCI Express controller (such as JMB363)
  • Gb LAN PCI Express controller

Here are a couple of recommended P55 motherboards.

Low-End (non-SLI)
  • ASRock P55 Pro, $115: (Perhaps) the best non-SLI motherboard.
  • Foxconn P55A-S, $105: A basic mb (without IEEE 1394).
  • ASUS P7P55D, $150: A basic mb (with IEEE 1394).
Mainstream (SLI x8)
  • ASRock P55 Deluxe, $175: DTS Connect is supported (good for S/PDIF gamers) and a 2-port (e)SATA 6Gbps PCI Express controller card is bundled. ASRock P55 Extreme, $150, a stripped down version of Deluxe, is also good.
  • ASUS P7P55D EVO, $185: IMO the best mb in this class. There are two minor variants: ASUS P7P55D PRO, $170: a stripped down version of EVO; ASUS P7P55D Deluxe, $220: comes with a real-time overclocking controller (useful?) and features 16+3 phase VRM design.
  • Intel DP55KG (BOXDP55KG), $210: Designed by talented Intel engineers. As usual there is no legacy port. Dolby Home Theater is supported (good for S/PDIF gamers). A stripped down version, DP55WG (BOXDP55WG), $140, is also good (no third-party storage controller, no Dolby Home Theater, no heatsink on MOSFET).
High-End (SLI x16)
  • EVGA P55 FTW 200 141-LF-E658-KR: For serious gamers.
  • ASUS P7P55 WS SuperComputer, $250: For SLI graphics work and CUDA users.

For complete systems, check my Recommended Systems – September 2009 Edition .

Core i5 and i3 Processor (Clarkdale)


From AnandTech (Please read this review for comprehensive understanding of the processor):


Integrated Graphics (Ironlake)

The new Intel Clear Video HD technology (from HKEPC Hardware )


HD Audio Bitstreaming (from AnandTech )

Quote:
They've increased the number of receivers they test with (originally it was at a whopping two, now they're up to…7). They've also expanded their test scenarios as well. The combination of the two, Intel believes, will result in a fully functional set of HTPC features at launch.


The first time I went by Intel's Clarkdale demo, Intel couldn't get bitstreaming working. A day later I got an email telling me to drop by again - they fixed it. I got to see TrueHD bitstreaming from a Clarkdale system to a Sony receiver. I also confirmed that full two stream decode acceleration was working.


Intel had it working with ArcSoft's player, but is working with all of the major software vendors to hopefully enable full support on everything. Intel does seem to be taking this much more seriously than with G45.


The Clarkdale launch is still a couple of months away so there is definitely time for Intel to work out the kinks.


This is a serious feature. The fact is that in a couple of years every single PC shipped will have the ability to bitstream these audio codecs without any additional hardware. We're finally getting there folks.
H55/H57 Chipset Motherboards

Intel DH57JG (Jet Geyser) Intel H57 Chipset Mini-ITX Motherboard


ASUS P7H57D-V EVO Intel H57 Chipset ATX Motherboard




Intel Processor Roadmap
  • Extreme XE: ~$1000
  • Performance P1: ~$500
  • Mainstream MS3: ~$284
  • Mainstream MS2: ~$196
  • Mainstream MS1: ~$176
  • Essential E2: ~$133
  • Essential E1: ~$113
  • Value V3: ~$84
  • Value V2: ~$64
  • Value V1: ~$53




Here is a figure on the transition of Intel desktop CPU sockets through 2011 (presented by Intel in February 2009).


By the end of 2010, Lynnfield/Clarkdale (LGA 1156) occupies near 50% of all desktop processors and the rest are the Core 2 processor. Then Sandy Bridge (LGA 1155) quickly takes a place of them in 2011, occupying 70% of all desktop processors by the end of 2011.

Sandy Bridge: The Next Bang!


The next generation microarchitecture Sandy Bridge will be released in 2011. There will be two platforms, each of which succeeds Lynnfield and Bloomfield respectively. The basic system architecture is close to Lynnfield/Clarkdale (not to the current Bloomfield).

Sandy Bridge H2
  • The new socket LGA 1155
  • 2 cores (65W) or 4 cores (95W)
  • With or without GPU core
  • Dual channel DDR3-1333 memory controller
  • PCI Express 2.0 20 lanes (Xeon only) or 16 lanes; x16 or x8+x8
  • DMI(Direct Media Interconnect) Gen.2 x4 (4GB/sec)

Chipset Cougar Point:
  • SATA 6Gbps x 2 and 3Gbps x 4
  • USB 3.0 will be postponed until Ivy Bridge in 2012.


Sandy Bridge B2
  • The new socket LGA 136x
  • 6 cores or 8 cores
  • No GPU core
  • Triple channel DDR3-1600 memory controller
  • PCI Express 3.0 24 lanes; x16+x8 or x8+x8+x8
  • DMI(Direct Media Interconnect) Gen.2 x4 (4GB/sec)

Chipset Patsburg:
  • SATA 6Gbps x 2 and 3Gbps x 4
  • USB 3.0 will be postponed until Ivy Bridge in 2012.


As for integrated graphics, Next Generation Intel Clear Video Technology will be introduced (as well as Graphics Turbo+ for mobile).


Reviews

LynnfieldClarkdaleIDF 2009




 
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#3,382 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by renethx /forum/post/19198318


I know Intel HD Graphics supports MVC decode. But does it support HDMI 1.4a 3D video signals, in particular frame packing 1920x2160 with the current driver/the current PowerDVD patch?


A "3D TV" is a bit ambiguous. It can be TI's 3D DLP, interlaced 3D (both are already supported by PowerDVD) or the newer HDMI 1.4 3D.

renethx, you are correct, but AFAIK, there is no 3D Blu-Ray encoded with 1920x2160 frame packing. I am very open to correction in this observation. Please do link me to such a Blu-Ray if you are aware of any, as it will be an interesting addition to our tests.


I was also pointing out to Tom (Cyberlink) in person that PowerDVD MVC decode using 2 x HD decode of GPU may run into issues if there is a 3D PiP (picture-in-picture), but he said that there is no commercial Blu-Ray with such a feature.
 
#3,383 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by jakmal /forum/post/19199470


renethx, you are correct, but AFAIK, there is no 3D Blu-Ray encoded with 1920x2160 frame packing. I am very open to correction in this observation. Please do link me to such a Blu-Ray if you are aware of any, as it will be an interesting addition to our tests.


I was also pointing out to Tom (Cyberlink) in person that PowerDVD MVC decode using 2 x HD decode of GPU may run into issues if there is a 3D PiP (picture-in-picture), but he said that there is no commercial Blu-Ray with such a feature.

Are you saying that 3D BD will work with the latest PDVD10 patch?
 
#3,384 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by babgvant /forum/post/19199501


Are you saying that 3D BD will work with the latest PDVD10 patch?

Yes, it should, but I haven't personally tested. (And it has been around since Jul 7). Here is the bit of PR I got from Tom (Cyberlink) on that day:

Quote:
We're launching PowerDVD 10 Mark II today, our full Blu-ray 3D update (a free update for all PowerDVD 10 Ultra customers). We support Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D MVC decoding on Intel HD graphics (Clarkdale / Arrandale), including support for bitstreaming full quality audio through a protected path. You'll just need to make sure you have the appropriate HECI driver installed for your system.

I guess any 3D Blu-Ray which would fit in HDMI 1.3 bandwidth would work without issues. Again, I am open to correction for the last statement.
 
#3,385 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by jakmal /forum/post/19199470


renethx, you are correct, but AFAIK, there is no 3D Blu-Ray encoded with 1920x2160 frame packing. I am very open to correction in this observation. Please do link me to such a Blu-Ray if you are aware of any, as it will be an interesting addition to our tests.

The best sources (for general audience) on BR 3D/HDMI 1.4a 3D are:


- White paper Blu-ray Disc™ Format: 2.B Audio Visual Application Format Specifications for BD-ROM Version 2.4

- High-Definition Multimedia Interface Specification Version 1.4a: Extraction of 3D Signaling Portion


In summary, MPEG-4 MVC is a compression scheme for BR-3D, compressing 1920x2160 (=1920x[1080+1080]) as effective as possible with up to 50% overhead comparing BD; once decoded, the video signal is 1920x2160@23.976Hz (HDMI 1.4a 3D video structure: frame packing), which can be transmitted only over HDMI 1.4a equipments.


There are several pre-HDMI 1.4a 3D technologies, such as 3D DLP by Texas Instrument. This one subsamples 1920x2160 into checkerboard 1920x1080 (actually PowerDVD [or a standalone BR 3D player supporting 3D DLP] does this), transmits over HDMI 1.3, then the display encodes checkerboard to 120Hz frame sequential. But right now PowerDVD works with only NVIDIA 3D Vision Kit (requiring a GeForce card of course). If the support for DLP-Link glasses is added, it should work with any graphics card (assuming the processor is good enough to decode MVC). (3D Vision Kit/PowerDVD also works with a bunch of 120Hz "input" displays over dual-link DVI/VGA.)
 
#3,386 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by jakmal /forum/post/19199604


Yes, it should, but I haven't personally tested. (And it has been around since Jul 7).

I haven't been able to get to work. Flipping the 3D mode just screws the picture up.
 
#3,387 ·
Which display/glasses/transmitter are you using?
 
#3,388 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by babgvant /forum/post/19199721


I haven't been able to get to work. Flipping the 3D mode just screws the picture up.

OK
Let me talk to Tom (Cyberlink) about this and see his response. I remember that we did quite a bit of setup for the 3D display in the PowerDVD menus when I saw the demo at his office (but the demo was for the nV 425M)
 
#3,389 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by renethx /forum/post/19199728


Which display/glasses/transmitter are you using?

VT25. To be clear, I didn't expect it to work at all w/ Intel HW.
 
#3,390 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by renethx /forum/post/19199612


The best sources (for general audience) on BR 3D/HDMI 1.4a 3D are:


- White paper Blu-ray Disc Format: 2.B Audio Visual Application Format Specifications for BD-ROM Version 2.4

- High-Definition Multimedia Interface Specification Version 1.4a: Extraction of 3D Signaling Portion


In summary, MPEG-4 MVC is a compression scheme for BR-3D, compressing 1920x2160 (=1920x[1080+1080]) as effective as possible with up to 50% overhead comparing BD; once decoded, the video signal is 1920x2160@23.976Hz (HDMI 1.4a 3D video structure: frame packing), which can be transmitted only over HDMI 1.4a equipments.


There are several pre-HDMI 1.4a 3D technologies, such as 3D DLP by Texas Instrument. This one subsamples 1920x2160 into checkerboard 1920x1080 (actually PowerDVD [or a standalone BR 3D player supporting 3D DLP] does this), transmits over HDMI 1.3, then the display encodes checkerboard to 120Hz frame sequential. But right now PowerDVD works with only NVIDIA 3D Vision Kit (requiring a GeForce card of course). If the support for DLP-Link glasses is added, it should work with any graphics card (assuming the processor is good enough to decode MVC). (3D Vision Kit/PowerDVD also works with a bunch of 120Hz "input" displays over dual-link DVI/VGA.)

renethx, Thanks for the very informative post!


I did get some clarification from Tom (Cyberlink) which confirms your statements, but adds passive polarized to the checkerboard you mention ( are you an industry insider, by any chance ?
):

Quote:
PowerDVD 10 Ultra supports Blu-ray 3D playback, including MVC decoding acceleration and full quality BD audio bitstreaming on Clarkdale and Arrandale systems. HDMI 1.4 output is not supported on the current Intel HD graphics platforms, and no plans for supporting HDMI 1.4 on current platforms have been announced.


As you noted, our application relies on the capabilities of the graphics hardware and driver. The only graphics hardware that supports HDMI 1.4 output today is NVIDIA (with the R260 drivers, which are available as beta drivers today). As you know, Intel announced support for HDMI 1.4 on next generation Intel HD graphics (Sandy Bridge) at IDF. No other solutions have been announced from Intel or AMD, although AMD has stated that a solution can be expected.


Clarkdale and Arrandale users can output a checkerboard (split resolution 3D) signal (choose 3D Ready HDTV), or an interlaced signal (for passive polarized displays).
 
#3,391 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by jakmal /forum/post/19199470


renethx, you are correct, but AFAIK, there is no 3D Blu-Ray encoded with 1920x2160 frame packing.

Not debating the validity of that statement, but to me it's beside the point. At one time or another, these discs will be here and I for one am not buying something to enable me to watch some halfbaked implementation right now when you know that the prevailing 3D B-ray tech will be something else in the near future.
 
#3,392 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by dbone1026 /forum/post/18495428


Has anyone officially confirmed that bitstreaming works with the Arrandale (core i3/i5 mobile) CPUs? I am looking at getting a core i3/i5 laptop, but havent seen much talk regarding

Dbone (and everyone else), have you found the answer? I (a newbie), too, was planning to buy a laptop to use as HTPC and then came across this bitstreaming feature. But I wasn't sure whether the i3 or i5 (UM's) mobile processors support bitstreaming HD audio. Is there a link somewhere to find out whether a processor does support bitstreaming?


Thank you.
 
#3,393 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by gorthocar /forum/post/19175908


I wouldn't say that it is a "no go". Displaying 23.976fps material at 24.000fps just means that most of the time, the frames will be displayed for 1/24th of a second, but approximately once every 42 seconds, a frame will be displayed for 2/24ths of a second. Depending on what is happening, you may not even notice it, but there are definitely times that I see it. It is something that Intel should address and fix, and not sweep under the carpet with excuses like "it is close enough" or "most people won't notice it".

Where is the best place to e-mail Intel to get them to fix this issue and "bug" them about it from time to time. Has any organized e-mailing been been to try and push the issue?
 
#3,394 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mopar_Mudder /forum/post/19217247


Where is the best place to e-mail Intel to get them to fix this issue and "bug" them about it from time to time. Has any organized e-mailing been been to try and push the issue?

If you got to intel.com and click on support, you can probably find it from there. They also have forums available there.


I've read several people that have contacted Intel and got nowhere. AVS member, archibael, who works for Intel might have some better ideas for you. IIRC, archibael has suggested to the appropriate Intel group that this is a problem as well.
 
#3,396 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by swoon! /forum/post/19217277


I've read several people that have contacted Intel and got nowhere. AVS member, archibael, who works for Intel might have some better ideas for you. IIRC, archibael has suggested to the appropriate Intel group that this is a problem as well.

They know. At this point it's either a hardware or priority issue.
 
#3,399 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by echoesian /forum/post/19220573


Can it be solved via driver update or it's just a hardware problem?

I also asked this question a little while back. Given that Intel has known about the problem for quite a while and there have been many driver releases since they were made aware of the problem, I strongly suspect that it is a hardware issue that they are unable to work around in the driver software. It would be nice if they would at least tell their user community if that is indeed the case. IMO they are only casting themselves in a poor light by simply remaining silent on the issue.
 
#3,400 ·
If I was considering using an existing desktop PC to use as an HTPC, with bitstreaming HD audio as a requirement, would this desktop past muster or will I have to look to purchase a newer pc? I plan to install the 5450 card as I am a little wary going the H55/i3 combo because of the 23.976Hz issue.

http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/ca/en...-81583228.html


With the addition 5450 card (I don't game), what would be the suggested minimum requirement for a HTPC?


Thanks in advance.
 
#3,401 ·
You don't need a new PC. Add a good discrete graphics card is enough.
 
#3,402 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by alanbrenton /forum/post/19232836


With the addition 5450 card (I don't game), what would be the suggested minimum requirement for a HTPC?

If you watch a lot of interlaced content a 5550/5570 would be better.
 
#3,403 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by alanbrenton /forum/post/19232836


If I was considering using an existing desktop PC to use as an HTPC, with bitstreaming HD audio as a requirement, would this desktop past muster or will I have to look to purchase a newer pc? I plan to install the 5450 card as I am a little wary going the H55/i3 combo because of the 23.976Hz issue.

http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/ca/en...-81583228.html


With the addition 5450 card (I don't game), what would be the suggested minimum requirement for a HTPC?


Thanks in advance.

Ha I went from a 5570 to the i3 and the 23.976Hz deal is very minnor compared to all the hassle the ATI card gave me. i3 has been rock solid and stable. Point is you have to pick your poison...
 
#3,404 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mopar_Mudder /forum/post/19233322


Ha I went from a 5570 to the i3 and the 23.976Hz deal is very minnor compared to all the hassle the ATI card gave me. i3 has been rock solid and stable. Point is you have to pick your poison...

I can agree with this. Compared to the trouble I've had with ATI drivers (to be fair mostly pre-10.6), 23.976 @24.000Hz isn't a blocking issue for me.
 
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