Core i7-3960X and i7-2700K Desktop CPUs in Review
Intel has launched the new top-of-the-range chips from the Sandy Bridge series with a bit of delay. The Intel Core i7-2700K is however just a higher clocked Core i7-2600K. On the other hand, the Core i7-3960X is a real innovation. It is a 6 core processor with a tremendous 15 MB level 3 cache and a clock of 3.3 – 3.0 GHz (Turbo Boost 2.0). In contrast to the quad core Sandy Bridge models, the new chips, named Sandy Bridge E, have a quad channel memory controller and more cache. In return, the integrated graphics has been omitted.
| Core i7-3960X | Core i7-2700K | |
| Cores/Threads | 6/12 | 4/8 |
| Base clock | 3,3 GHz | 3,5 GHz |
| Max. Turbo | 3,9 GHz | 3,9 GHz |
| Last level cache | 15 MB | 8 MB |
| TDP | 130 W | 95 W |
| Price | 999 Dollars | 332 Dollars |
| Memory | 4 channel DDR3-1600 | 2 channel DDR3-1333 |
| Graphics card | n/a | Intel HD Graphics 3000 |
| Socket | FCLGA2011 | LGA1155 |
| Package size | 58,5 x 51 mm | 37,5 x 37,5 mm |
Benchmarks
Intel's six core chip fares extremely well in our selection of synthetic processor benchmarks. With an averagely 21% higher performance, the selected tests could exploit the two additional cores well. The scores are on a par with the equally clocked Core i7-2700K in the single core benchmarks, such as Cinebench R10 or Super Pi.
| Core i7-3960x, GeForce GTX 470, SSD GeForce GTX 470, 3960X, Samsung SSD 470 Series MZ-5PA256/EU | Core i7-3960x, Radeon HD 6450 Radeon HD 6450 GDDR5, 3960X | Core i7-2700K, Radeon HD 6450 Radeon HD 6450 GDDR5, 2700K, Samsung SSD 470 Series MZ-5PA256/EU | Core i7-2700K, GeForce GTX 470, Samsung SSD 470 GeForce GTX 470, 2700K, Samsung SSD 470 Series MZ-5PA256/EU | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M | ||||
| 1M * | 9.7 | 9.844 -1% | ||
| Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M | ||||
| 2M * | 21.7 | 22.11 -2% | ||
| Super Pi Mod 1.5 XS 32M | ||||
| 32M * | 541 | 552 -2% | ||
| Cinebench R10 | 0% | -14% | ||
| Rendering Single CPUs 64Bit | 6190 | 6305 2% | 6248 1% | |
| Rendering Multiple CPUs 64Bit | 32763 | 32120 -2% | 23767 -27% | |
| Rendering Single 32Bit | 5032 | 4995 -1% | 4967 -1% | |
| Rendering Multiple CPUs 32Bit | 27087 | 27292 1% | 19675 -27% | |
| Cinebench R11.5 | ||||
| CPU Multi 64Bit | 10.5 | 10.54 0% | 7 -33% | |
| 3DMark 06 - CPU | ||||
| CPU Score | 8330 | 6792 -18% | 6882 -17% | |
| 3DMark Vantage | ||||
| 1280x1024 P CPU no PhysX | 36985 | 24459 -34% | ||
| 3DMark 11 | ||||
| 1280x720 Performance Physics | 12028 | 8552 -29% | ||
| wPrime 2.10 | 9% | -36% | ||
| 32m * | 5.351 | 4.88 9% | 7.15 -34% | |
| 1024m * | 159.1 | 146.5 8% | 219.5 -38% | |
| wPrime 1.55 | -50% | |||
| 32m * | 4.87 | 7.269 -49% | ||
| 1024m * | 143 | 214.6 -50% | ||
| WinRAR | ||||
| Result | 4198 | 4211 0% | 3537 -16% | |
| TrueCrypt | 0% | -33% | ||
| AES Mean 100MB | 5.2 | 5.2 0% | 3.5 -33% | |
| Twofish Mean 100MB | 0.868 | 0.866 0% | 0.577 -34% | |
| Serpent Mean 100MB | 0.481 | 0.488 1% | 0.325 -32% | |
| X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 | -1% | -24% | ||
| Pass 1 | 173 | 171 -1% | 147 -15% | |
| Pass 2 | 54.8 | 54.8 0% | 37.5 -32% | |
| Total Average (Program / Settings) | 1% /
1% | -21% /
-23% | -27% /
-27% |
* ... smaller is better
The i7-3960X clearly stands out in a direct comparison with current notebook and desktop processors in Cinebench R11.5. The gap between the new Core i7-2700K and the mobile top model Core i7-2960XM is a lot lower in comparison. Please see our CPU benchmark chart for more benchmarks and comparisons with the latest processors.
| Cinebench R11.5 - CPU Multi 64Bit (sort by value) | |
| Core i7-3960X | |
| Core i7-2700K | |
| Core i7-2960XM (mobile) | |
| Core i7-2670QM | |
| Core i5-2400 | |
| Core i5-2410M (mobile Dual-Core) | |
Looking at the system tests, PCMark 7 and Vantage, the two additional cores hardly offer any benefits. The differences are within the limits of the measurement uncertainties and confirm the subjective impression that 4 cores still supply enough reserves for most present applications.
| Core i7-3960x, GeForce GTX 470, SSD GeForce GTX 470, 3960X, Samsung SSD 470 Series MZ-5PA256/EU | Core i7-2700K, GeForce GTX 470, Samsung SSD 470 GeForce GTX 470, 2700K, Samsung SSD 470 Series MZ-5PA256/EU | |
|---|---|---|
| PCMark Vantage | -7% | |
| 1024x768 HDD Score | 29079 | 27794 -4% |
| 1024x768 Productivity Score | 22004 | 20932 -5% |
| 1024x768 Communications Score | 17931 | 18404 3% |
| 1024x768 Music Score | 20626 | 18863 -9% |
| 1024x768 Gaming Score | 21346 | 17129 -20% |
| 1024x768 TV and Movies Score | 7716 | 6852 -11% |
| 1024x768 Memories Score | 12122 | 11470 -5% |
| 1024x768 Result | 19560 | 18764 -4% |
| PCMark 7 | 2% | |
| System Storage | 4179 | 4609 10% |
| Computation | 5540 | 5034 -9% |
| Creativity | 5120 | 5131 0% |
| Entertainment | 4649 | 4664 0% |
| Productivity | 4319 | 4391 2% |
| Lightweight | 4364 | 4680 7% |
| Score | 4692 | 4833 3% |
| Total Average (Program / Settings) | -3% /
-3% |
One main application field for the fastest processor model is, logically, high-end 3D gaming. The 3D Mark tests from Futuremark show a slight impact of the 6 core CPU. However, an impact of 2 – 7% is insignificant.
| 3DMark 06 - 1280x1024 Standard Score AA:0x AF:0x (sort by value) | |
| Core i7-3960X | |
| Core i7-2700K | |
| 3DMark Vantage - 1280x1024 P Result (sort by value) | |
| Core i7-3960X | |
| Core i7-2700K | |
| 3DMark 11 - 1280x720 Performance (sort by value) | |
| Core i7-3960X | |
| Core i7-2700K | |
We want to check if Intel's top model can be fully exploited with three up to date games. It quickly becomes evident that the four cores of the Core i7-2700K are fully sufficient in Battlefield 3 and Shogun 2. No higher performance can be achieved with the two additional cores. Only the latest F1 2011 race game can benefit from these and extract a small performance gain in the test.
| Battlefield 3 | |
| 1920x1080 ultra AA:4x MS AF:16x (sort by value) | |
| Core i7-3960X | |
| Core i7-2700K | |
| 1366x768 high AA:- AF:16x (sort by value) | |
| Core i7-3960X | |
| Core i7-2700K | |
| Total War: Shogun 2 | |
| 1920x1080 high AA:ML AF:16x (sort by value) | |
| Core i7-3960X | |
| Core i7-2700K | |
| 1280x720 moderate AF:trilinear (sort by value) | |
| Core i7-3960X | |
| Core i7-2700K | |
| 1024x768 low (sort by value) | |
| Core i7-3960X | |
| F1 2011 | |
| 1920x1080 Ultra Preset DX11 AA:4xMS (sort by value) | |
| Core i7-3960X | |
| Core i7-2700K | |
| 1366x768 High Preset DX11 AA:2xMS (sort by value) | |
| Core i7-3960X | |
| Core i7-2700K | |
Verdict
Intel's new top model bids a lot of power with six processor cores and a gigantic last level cache. This allows the CPU to score significantly in optimized software and fares very well compared to the Core i7-2700K quad core.
Nevertheless, we have to remember that most up to date programs and games don't need more than 4 cores. Therefore, the quad core i7-2700K is a much lower priced and energy efficient alternative for most power users. However, users who can fully exploit the 6 cores (rendering, scientific calculations, etc.) and don't have to look at the price can unhesitatingly buy the Core i7-3960X.
The Core i7-2700K is still recommendable for high-end gamers and the price-performance winners are still the inexpensive Core i5-2500K and 2400.
