Wednesday, October 31st 2012
Intel Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition 6-core Processor Starts Selling
Intel's newest flagship desktop processor, the Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition, started selling. In Singapore, the chip is being sold at S$ 1,425 (US $1,167), including local taxes. Based on the 32 nm "Sandy Bridge-E" silicon, and built in the LGA2011 package, the i7-3970X is a six-core processor clocked at 3.50 GHz, with maximum Turbo Boost frequency of 4.00 GHz. The six-core chip is bolstered by HyperThreading, enabling 12 logical CPUs, 256 KB L2 cache per core, 15 MB shared L3 cache, and a quad-channel DDR3 integrated memory controller, supporting up to 128 GB of memory. Surprisingly, the chip's 200 MHz speed bump over the Core i7-3960X affected its TDP, which is rated at 150W, up from 130W of the i7-3960X.
Source:
MyDrivers
89 Comments on Intel Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition 6-core Processor Starts Selling
Its no question the SB-E products are far the superior chip to IvB. The question is are you willing to spend the money for the HexaCore 2011 vs QuadCore 1155.
And I'm pretty positive that when the HexaCore IvB will out perform Haswell 1150. The only issue being Haswell will have a pretty nifty iGPU.
kthxbye
www.anandtech.com/show/5091/intel-core-i7-3960x-sandy-bridge-e-review-keeping-the-high-end-alive/6
For gaming users this proc is a HUGE waste of money....
I am a gamer and I require that my CPU is fast on lightly threaded workloads AND I am someone who works with a few rendering engines and 3D suites so I've seen tons of improvements compared to my old i7 920, which yes I didn't buy the EE when there was the i7 965 because that was just an unlocked multiplier 920 AND yes it would have been stupid to shell out 1k for that kind of difference.
On socket 2011 Intel has given us the chance to separate smart buyers from who just wants to throw their money at Intel, the 3930K is the only socket 2011 CPU that should be bought, the 3960/70X aren't even worth considering because the increased L3 cache (only 3MB) just doesn't make any difference nor justifies the premium.
What I am trying to say that there are smart buyers who happen to need the performance that is given by Intel enthusiast lineup, so if a CPU costs 1k but it makes me gain more I don't really see what's wrong on purchasing one.
After all you can't have strong multi threaded performance and strong lightly threaded performance with another platform, so if you happen to need both then you are stuck with Intel X chipset/socket.
Etc., Etc.
AMD lost in 29 out of 31 tests, including all gaming tests AND power consumption. Nice try.
Dont link to anandtech there reviews on gaming is just crap, try linking to a place (like TPU) that has done a full game proper review ;) BD still behind but not as much as you think, and PD is even less again.
For a good review on the 8350 go here > www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/amd_fx_8350_8320_6300_processor_4300_performance_review,1.html
Over all its even to the 2600K minus the gaming results, but of course nothing can touch the 12 threaded monster >i7-3970X
Thank you for playing, goodbye.
Yeah, I really have it in for fanboys and ignorant people in general.
And for those whose money is no object, performance is everything.
My original post was a bitchslap reply to a post implying AMD is only words, performance-wise. So I made a proof-of-concept, Like a... "WOW, I just saved 80% off of spending on that 1grand+ processor and I'm still encrypting faster!"
Not everyone's goal is to save money so obviously you have it in for yourself because you one of those ignorant people you've been talking about "having it in for." Stop trolling and get your head on straight, not everyone builds a computer for the reason reason that you do...
I'm not a fanboy. I bought the fastest cpu I could get for the money I was looking to spend. I had $1000 to spend on a cpu. I bought the 980X when it released. If AMD would've had something faster, I would've bought that. I am completely indifferent to brand. All I care is that the object I buy does what I desire within my price range.
This cpu will last at least another couple of years, at which point I'll again buy the fastest cpu I can in the $1000 price range (financial situation permitting).
Cost is not my concern on these upgrades, as I wait a few years between builds. So, instead of $300 every year, I save that money and buy the better cpu down the road. I'll generally only upgrade video cards and storage between builds, and wait until my cpu is a significant bottleneck before upgrading it. With the 980X, that's still quite a ways off.