Intel Core i7-3820 vs Intel Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition

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Core i7-3820 compared with Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition

	IntelCore i7-3820	IntelCore i7-3960X Extreme Edition
Overview
Released
Released	February 2012	November 2011
Cores and clocks
Cores
Cores	4	6 (better)
Threads
Threads	8	12 (better)
Base clock
Base clock	3.6 GHz	3.3 GHz
Boost clock
Boost clock	3.8 GHz	3.9 GHz (better)
L3 cache
L3 cache	10 MB	15 MB (better)
Cores
Cores	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.	Six cores and twelve threads with Hyper-Threading; fully unlocked multiplier confirmed by Intel’s exact product brief. Intel states that VT-d requires C2 stepping.
Clocks
Clocks	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.	3.30 GHz base and up to 3.90 GHz Turbo Boost 2.0. Intel gives Q4 2011; EE Times’ contemporary 14 November report quotes Intel confirming the exact model is available now. Newegg’s earlier listing date alone does not establish sale.
Cache
Cache	10 MB Intel Smart Cache; L3 level confirmed by both exact reviews.	15 MB shared L3 cache.
Graphics and AI
Built-in graphics
Built-in graphics	No	No
Graphics
Graphics	No integrated graphics or Quick Sync, confirmed by KitGuru’s exact-model review.	Intel’s exact-model Extreme Edition chart lists no processor graphics.
Platform
Socket
Socket	LGA2011	LGA2011
Base power
Base power	130 W	130 W
Unlocked
Unlocked	No	Yes
Cooler in the box
Cooler in the box	No	No
Memory support
Memory support	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.	Up to 64 GB across four DDR3-1066/1333/1600 channels; maximum 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, without ECC.
PCIe
PCIe	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.	40 PCIe 2.0 lanes in Intel’s current exact specification page.
Chipsets
Chipsets	Intel X79; LGA2011.	–
Process
Process	32 nm; Sandy Bridge-E.	32 nm; Sandy Bridge-E. Package 52.5 × 45.0 mm; Intel’s 66.8°C limit is TCASE, not junction temperature.
Cooler
Cooler	Exact BX80619I73820 Newegg listing states cooling device not included. Intel gives a case-temperature limit of 66.8°C.	Intel explicitly says the boxed product has no fan or heatsink. Requires separate LGA2011-compatible cooling; the original product brief names X79.