Intel Core i7-3930K vs Intel Core i7-920

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Core i7-3930K compared with Core i7-920

	IntelCore i7-3930K	IntelCore i7-920
Overview
Released
Released	November 2011	November 2008
Cores and clocks
Cores
Cores	6 (better)	4
Threads
Threads	12 (better)	8
Base clock
Base clock	3.2 GHz	2.66 GHz
Boost clock
Boost clock	3.8 GHz (better)	2.93 GHz
L3 cache
L3 cache	12 MB (better)	8 MB
Cores
Cores	Six cores with Hyper-Threading; twelve threads. Fully unlocked multiplier, confirmed by Intel's exact-model brief and the reviews. VT-d is supported only by C2 stepping according to Intel.	Four cores with Hyper-Threading; eight simultaneous threads. PCStats confirms a locked CPU multiplier; base-clock overclocking is possible, so locked does not mean all overclocking is disabled.
Clocks
Clocks	Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 3.80 GHz. First-sale day comes from Legit Reviews' 14 November 2011 report of the exact boxed processor in stock at Newegg, cross-checked with Puget Systems' same-day launch coverage; Intel's specification page gives Q4 2011.	Intel's product brief gives up to 2.93 GHz single-core Turbo Boost. Intel's 17 November 2008 sale notice names the 920 and confirms immediate system and boxed retail availability.
Graphics and AI
Built-in graphics
Built-in graphics	No	No
Graphics
Graphics	No processor graphics; Intel's exact-model comparison-chart row lists graphics as not applicable. A separate graphics solution is required.	No processor graphics; a separate graphics solution is required. Intel's desktop comparison chart lists graphics as not applicable.
Platform
Socket
Socket	LGA2011	LGA1366
Base power
Base power	130 W	130 W
Unlocked
Unlocked	Yes	No
Cooler in the box
Cooler in the box	No	–
Memory support
Memory support	Four channels of DDR3-1066/1333/1600; up to 51.2 GB/s, without ECC. Intel's later comparison chart incorrectly lists two channels; the original brief and current specification page both establish four.	Three channels of DDR3-1066 in Intel's exact-model product brief. A later Intel comparison chart incorrectly lists two channels; the original product brief is used here.
PCIe
PCIe	40 PCIe 2.0 lanes according to Intel's specification page.	Intel's product brief describes X58 chipset PCIe 2.0 graphics connectivity, including two ×16 links. These are chipset connections, not CPU-integrated PCIe lanes. CPU-to-chipset QuickPath Interconnect runs at 4.8 GT/s for the 920.
Process
Process	32 nm; Sandy Bridge-E. Package measures 52.5 × 45.0 mm; Intel states a 66.8°C maximum case temperature, not a junction-temperature rating.	45 nm; Nehalem architecture.
Cooler
Cooler	Intel explicitly says the boxed processor has no fan or heatsink. Requires an LGA2011-compatible cooler and motherboard; Intel's product brief names the X79 platform.	Requires an LGA1366/X58 platform; incompatible with LGA775 motherboards. Intel's retired specification page could not be read, so optional package temperature and separate maximum-power values are omitted.