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Intel Core i7-5960X vs i7-5930K vs i7-5820K

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We review the Haswell-E lineup by pitting all its processors against each other and the Ivy Bridge-E Intel Core i7-4960X, Haswell Refresh Intel Core i7-4790K, and Haswell Intel Core i7-4770K. If you are looking to build a high-end gaming PC, or are looking to upgrade, then look no further: This review will tell you which CPU you will want to get to cover your needs.

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the54thvoid

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I toiled for months (have saved for years) over whether or not to buy an X99 platform. After all my thoughts I decided to stick with my 3930K set up. Going on 3 1/2 years old but not showing signs of age, it will probably keep me going until Broadwell-E. There is a huge benefit going with HEDT and it is the longevity. Good to see another review that makes me happy with being in the (albeit aging) gang.
 
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There was nothing ever wrong with the thermal paste since Sandy Bridge. The problem was the adhesive connecting the circumference of the heat spreader to the PCB was too "tall" therefore creating too much space between the cores and the heat spreader. Some even reused the stock thermal paste once the adhesive was removed to make a point. They enjoyed substantial improvement to core temps.

I can't justify the Intel HEDT program for last-gen cores. It seems that Intel uses it to develop IP when intending to introduce new features to consumers and server admins, in this case DDR4. They do this by matching older well-known cores with new features, not entirely unlike the tick-tock die-shrink strategy. They then use that IP to improve consumer and server implementations. Developing a new memory controller with a new architecture is risky and could result in delays. Having a tried-and-true memory controller to integrate into a new architecture is easier.
 
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perfect review
 
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I toiled for months (have saved for years) over whether or not to buy an X99 platform. After all my thoughts I decided to stick with my 3930K set up. Going on 3 1/2 years old but not showing signs of age, it will probably keep me going until Broadwell-E. There is a huge benefit going with HEDT and it is the longevity. Good to see another review that makes me happy with being in the (albeit aging) gang.


Completely agree with you, your 3930K is a damn solid CPU, the only reason I changed mine is because it degraded so bad from my overclocks it couldn't keep 4 GHz stable.

Sometimes I use the embedded renderer in Poser and that uses Firefly which is CPU only and 8 cores do really make a difference! I think I got pretty lucky with 4.8 GHz stable 5960X, I see some not going over 4.4/4.5.
 
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My current QX9650 setup is almost 8yrs old and I am still able to get most of work done. However this review does make me wanna finally make the upgrade to a new gen system. Windows 10 and a 5930K, that would be nice~
 
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How come the 4770K is beating the 4790K in the gaming tests? Aren't they the exact same CPU just with different clocks :S
 
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Excellent review as usual.
The 3D Performance section confirms that for a gaming rig the X99 platform is a total waste of money.
 
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Are the -E edition CPUs ever worth it if you don't do massive Photoshop work or video editing or something like that? I assume their point is maximum performance at any cost, right?
 

Air

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It would be helpful if you mentioned ambient temperature in the thermal perfomance section. 25 °C is currently bellow ambient at my country...
 
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Still not seeing a reason up upgrade my 2600k.
 
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i run my 5930K @ 4.5Ghz still a large price to pay for a system that doesn't run any better than 4 year old tech LOL.
 
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@MSnyder
Could you please create a cpu bottleneck when testing 3d games? For example, 800x600 and low setting.
Regards
 
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Strange that in few places 4770K was ahead of 4790K
 
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Strange that in few places 4770K was ahead of 4790K
Was wondering about the same! Why would be a 4770K faster than the 4790K if the conditions were the same, or what would be the point of the test if the conditions were different? I mean, it's obvious that the tests were all GPU bond, but still.. I'm curious.
 
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i run my 5930K @ 4.5Ghz still a large price to pay for a system that doesn't run any better than 4 year old tech LOL.

The only part that is worth in X99 lineup is the 5960X if you make use of those 8 cores which absolutely destroys 6 cores in multi threaded workloads.

Maybe the 5820K for affordable 6 cores too.
 
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I liked your review. It's to the point. Thank you.
 

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I love my 2500k, currently overclocked to 4.6GHz.

I eagerly await the next mainstream CPU that can give me a 25% speed improvement for a reasonable price of around $300. Sadly, I'll have to keep waiting a while longer. Maybe by the end of the year...
 

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I think 3dmark11 score is not calculated in KB/s lol


 
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Thanks a lot for this review! :lovetpu:
 
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Nice review. I wish I knew how those compare to the good old i7 920.
 

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Nice review. I wish I knew how those compare to the good old i7 920.


they run in circles arround your I7 920 when crunching numbers and demanding tasks. In games not so much especially if you got a D0 CPU, then turn it up, and the old X58 platform has new life
 
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