Intel Core i7-2600K vs Intel Core i7-3820

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Core i7-2600K compared with Core i7-3820

	IntelCore i7-2600K	IntelCore i7-3820
Overview
Released
Released	January 2011	February 2012
Cores and clocks
Cores
Cores	4	4
Threads
Threads	8	8
Base clock
Base clock	3.4 GHz	3.6 GHz
Boost clock
Boost clock	3.8 GHz	3.8 GHz
L3 cache
L3 cache	8 MB	10 MB (better)
Cores
Cores	Four cores with Hyper-Threading; Intel Turbo Boost 2.0. Expert Reviews and TechRadar confirm the unlocked CPU multiplier.	Four cores and eight threads; Sandy Bridge-E with Hyper-Threading. The multiplier is only partly unlocked, as both exact reviews explain; unlocked is false here because it is not fully unlocked.
Clocks
Clocks	Maximum turbo is a single-core frequency; sustained clocks depend on cooling. Intel's 5 January launch notice gives 9 January availability for quad-core systems.	Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 3.80 GHz from Intel’s current sheet; KitGuru’s engineering-sample review table instead states 3.90 GHz. Intel staff acknowledged release in February 2012; month precision is retained rather than treating the forum’s proposed day as verified sale.
Cache
Cache	–	10 MB Intel Smart Cache; L3 level confirmed by both exact reviews.
Graphics and AI
Built-in graphics
Built-in graphics	Yes	No
Graphics
Graphics	Intel HD Graphics 3000; 850 MHz base, up to 1.35 GHz; two displays; Quick Sync Video.	No integrated graphics or Quick Sync, confirmed by KitGuru’s exact-model review.
Platform
Socket
Socket	LGA1155	LGA2011
Base power
Base power	95 W	130 W
Unlocked
Unlocked	Yes	No
Cooler in the box
Cooler in the box	–	No
Memory support
Memory support	Up to 32 GB; two channels; DDR3-1066/1333; 21 GB/s maximum bandwidth as Intel publishes; ECC not supported.	Four channels of DDR3-1066/1333/1600; 51.2 GB/s maximum published bandwidth; no ECC. Intel’s anomalous 64.23 GB maximum-memory value is not normalised into a guessed capacity.
PCIe
PCIe	PCIe 2.0; 16 CPU lanes.	40 CPU lanes; Intel’s current sheet lists PCIe 2.0, while both contemporary reviews describe PCIe 3.0 capability. The manufacturer’s current literal figure is retained with this conflict explicit.
Chipsets
Chipsets	–	Intel X79; LGA2011.
Process
Process	32 nm; Sandy Bridge; 37.5 × 37.5 mm package; 72.6°C maximum case temperature, not junction temperature.	32 nm; Sandy Bridge-E.
Cooler
Cooler	LGA1155 is incompatible with LGA1156. TechRadar describes the launch P67 chipset as supporting CPU overclocking and H67 as supporting the integrated graphics output; chipset choice affects available features. Intel publishes no separate maximum turbo-power figure.	Exact BX80619I73820 Newegg listing states cooling device not included. Intel gives a case-temperature limit of 66.8°C.