Intel Core i7-3970X Processor Extreme Edition
|
Processors progressed much in 2012. The LGA1155 and AM3+ platforms were improved, and the whole new FM2 platform entered the market. As a result, the desktop version of LGA2011 was cannibalized and paled into insignificance. Its cheapest CPU, Core i7-3820, yields to Core i7-3770, which offers integrated graphics, four cores, and newer microarchitecture for the same money. Moreover, the prices of LGA2011 motherboards start from $200 when you can get a decent LGA1155 one for just $100 (or a simpler one for just $50).
The cheapest LGA2011 processor that makes sense is Core i7-3930K. It has no counterparts but costs a solid $600, staying above the middle range. Both Core i7-3930K and extreme Core i7-3960X remained the most powerful desktop solutions, even though they were released (and reviewed) a year ago. Today we can dust off those results: the brand new extreme Core i7-3970X is out!
The new Intel processor has six cores. The basic Sandy Bridge-E design features eight, but in our case two cores and a part of the L3 cache are locked. In Core i7-3970X the standard core clock is increased by 200 MHz to 3.5 GHz (vs. the 3.3 GHz of i7-3960X). Besides, the maximum core clock is increased by 100 GHz, reaching a psychological barrier of 4 GHz (AMD has done it first with FX-8150). Under full load the 12 threads of Core i7-3970X require much power, so the TDP is increased to 150 W, the highest for Intel desktop processors as yet (with the exception of Core 2 Extreme Q9775).
The new Intel Core i7-3970X can certainly attract gamers, because it officially supports PCIe 3.0, unlike the previous LGA2011 processors. Now, let's take a closer look at the novelty.
Testbeds
Our testbeds include the top processors for the LGA2011, AM3+, LGA1366, LGA1156, AM3, and even AM2+ platforms.
| CPU |
Core i7-3970X |
Core i7-3770K |
Core i7-990X |
Core i7-880 |
| Core |
Sandy Bridge-E |
Ivy Bridge |
Gulftown |
Lynnfield |
| Process technology, nm |
32 |
22 |
32 |
45 |
| Core clock (std/max), GHz |
3.5/4.0 |
3.5/3.9 |
3.47/3.73 |
3.06/3.73 |
| Cores/threads |
6/12 |
4/8 |
6/12 |
4/8 |
| L1 cache (sum), I/D, KB (per core) |
192/192 |
128/128 |
192/192 |
128/128 |
| L2 cache, KB |
6 x 256 |
4 x 256 |
6 x 256 |
4 x 256 |
| L3 cache, MB |
15 |
8 |
12 |
8 |
| Uncore clock, GHz |
3.5 |
3.5 |
2.66 |
2.4 |
| RAM |
4 x DDR3-1600 |
2 x DDR3-1600 |
3 x DDR3-1333 |
2 x DDR3-1333 |
| GPU |
- |
HD 4000 |
- |
- |
| Socket |
LGA2011 |
LGA1155 |
LGA1366 |
LGA1156 |
| TDP, W |
150 |
77 |
130 |
95 |
| CPU |
FX-8350 |
Phenom II X6 1100T |
Phenom II X4 940 |
| Core |
Vishera |
Thuban |
Deneb |
| Process technology, nm |
32 |
45 |
45 |
| Core clock (std/max), GHz |
4.2/4.3 |
3.3/3.7 |
3.0 |
| Cores/threads |
8/8 |
6/6 |
4/4 |
| L1 Cache (sum), I/D, KB |
256/128 |
384/384 |
256/256 |
| L2 Cache, KB |
4 x 2048 |
6 x 512 |
4 x 512 |
| L3 Cache, MB |
8 |
6 |
6 |
| Uncore clock, GHz |
2.2 |
2.0 |
1.8 |
| RAM |
2 x DDR3-1866 |
2 x DDR3-1333 |
2 x DDR2-1066 |
| GPU |
- |
- |
- |
| Socket |
AM3+ |
AM3 |
AM2+ |
| TDP, W |
125 |
125 |
125 |
In spite of Ivy Bridge and Sandy Bridge-E capabilities, we are still using DDR3-1333 RAM with Intel processors in our testbeds to simplify comparison. According to our tests, using DDR-1600 hardly changes anything anyway.
| Socket |
Motherboard |
RAM |
| LGA2011 |
ASUS P9X79 (X79) |
Corsair Dominator Platinum CMD16GX3M4A2666C10 (4 x 1333; 9-9-9-24) |
| LGA1366 |
Intel DX58SO2 (X58) |
12 GB DDR3 (3 x 1333; 9-9-9-24) |
| LGA1155 |
Biostar TH67XE (H67) |
Corsair Vengeance CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B (2 x 1333; 9-9-9-24) |
| LGA1156 |
ASUS P7H55-M Pro (H55) |
Corsair Vengeance CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B (2 x 1333; 9-9-9-24) |
| AM3+ |
ASUS Crosshair V Formula (990 FX) |
G.Skill [RipjawsX] F3-14900CL9D-8GBXL (2x1866; 9-10-9-28) |
| AM3 |
ASUS M4A78T-E (790GX) |
Corsair Vengeance CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B (2 x 1333; 9-9-9-24-2T, Unganged Mode) |
| AM2+ |
ASUS M3A78-T (790GX) |
8 GB DDR2 (2 x 800; 5-5-5-18; Unganged Mode) |
Write a comment below. No registration needed!
|
|
 |
|
|
|
