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MagyarCore 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.
Top 10 Laptops
Multimedia, Budget Multimedia, Gaming, Budget Gaming, Lightweight Gaming, Business, Budget Office, Workstation, Subnotebooks, Ultrabooks, Chromebooks
under 300 USD/Euros, under 500 USD/Euros, 1,000 USD/Euros, for University Students, Best Displays
Top 10 Smartphones
Smartphones, Phablets, ≤6-inch, Camera Smartphones
| 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 * | 142.96 | 214.56 -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 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.