Intel Core i7-3930K Review
Metro 2033 and The Witcher 2
Published: 17th February 2012 | Source: Intel | Price: £448 |
Metro 2033
It would be easy to point out how tiny the difference between the two CPUs is, especially when even the i7-950 gives comparable frame-rates, but the i7-3930K has been close throughout our testing.
The Witcher 2
Even the adventures of Geralt cannot put a dampener on our thoughts about the i7-3930K.
Does anyone want to guess how the conclusion will go?
Most Recent Comments
tom whats going on with the ram performance dude?
Yeah the 3960X is pointless.Same results at nearly half the price.
3960x to me is just for bragging rights, "oooooo looook, i've got the best 2011 processor in my rig hehe"
The 3960x is not worth it, 3930k is just perfect
The 3960x is not worth it, 3930k is just perfect
i couldn't agree more with your conclusion dude
if i never had the SR-X in the pipeline, this is the route i would take
if i never had the SR-X in the pipeline, this is the route i would take
good to know i choose the right one
Very nice review.
Very little difference between the two processors it was rather predictable. I am impressed by the huge difference between the WHQL 285 drivers and 295 Beta drivers.
Very little difference between the two processors it was rather predictable. I am impressed by the huge difference between the WHQL 285 drivers and 295 Beta drivers.
difference seems rather clear to me....i bet you'd be hard pressed to find an "X" chip that cant hit 2400MHz on the Ram!!!
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Originally Posted by badtaylorx
difference seems rather clear to me....i bet you'd be hard pressed to find an "X" chip that cant hit 2400MHz on the Ram!!! |
Great review as ever. Mirrors my own findings on the 3930k, faster than almost anything else (take note, faster than a lot of dual CPU configurations according to AIDA), overclockable to 4.6GHz without much effort, and pretty expensive compared to sandy bridge. Still worth it IMO.
Thank you for the F@H chart sir, awesome ! 
Greetings Ray.......
Greetings Ray.......
yeah...posted before thinking on that one.....
im so stoooooopid
lost that bet!!!
and wasn't there another way of overclocking on the x79 platform??? is the "sandy way" of overclocking more efficient??? stable???
im so stoooooopid
lost that bet!!!
and wasn't there another way of overclocking on the x79 platform??? is the "sandy way" of overclocking more efficient??? stable???
I was so going to get this,till i got a SR 2 coming my way.....
Great review TTL
But you really need a Single Stage compressor to get the most out of these chips.
Maybe you can get someone to donate one for testing?
But you really need a Single Stage compressor to get the most out of these chips.
Maybe you can get someone to donate one for testing?
Right thats it im buying it with a rampage extreme 4 and that rather nice mushkin ridgeback (though only 1866)
Awesome review. An absolute beast of a CPU
is the SLIGHT extra performance more the cache or the stock clock speed being higher on the 3960x .. the 3960x being 3.3 and the 3930k at 3.2?
Very good review. 
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Originally Posted by unknownuser200
is the SLIGHT extra performance more the cache or the stock clock speed being higher on the 3960x .. the 3960x being 3.3 and the 3930k at 3.2? |
The best way to see the more performence is with 3dmark vantage cpu benchmark.
A 3930K cpu needs to clock 200-400 MHz higher then the 3960X to match the cpu score because of the additional cache in the 3960X cpu.
this vid made me happy with the amount of money that i spent
Good review Tom.
Being a fellow enthusiast, I agree with you. If you have the best gear , use it!
Unfortunately, unlike you, I'm not a reviewer so I use what I've got/can afford.
ASUS Sabertooth X58
Core i7 I7-930 8 MB@3.8MHz
Corsair Dominator 3 x 2 GB@1600MHz
Gainward GTX 570 Golden Sample (1.25 G
Crucial RealSSD C300 128 GB for OS and favourite games.
It works well, but I'm chomping at the bit...gaging for a new rig!
I've never waited so long to upgrade before, but I'm holding out to see what Ivy Bridge brings with it.
I'm of course expecting some great CPUs with exceptional "bang for the buck".
I'm also interested to see what improvements come to the LGA1155 platform.
I'm hoping to see some advancement in Lucid Virtu software.
Improved onboard SATA 600 controllers and native USB 3.0 (I'm thinking Z68 Chipset here).
Even the cheaper 3930K, in my humble opinion, is way to expensive. Coupled with 2011 platform and 4 channel RAM prices, I won't pay that much.
I'm a gamer and I'm a bit one-eyed when it comes to a PC. Can it play the games I like, flat out at a reasonable price?
My rigs time has almost come, so I'm hoping Ivy Bridge can be my next good buy.
Ps. I noticed in your charts the 950 has been downgraded to an i5
Being a fellow enthusiast, I agree with you. If you have the best gear , use it!
Unfortunately, unlike you, I'm not a reviewer so I use what I've got/can afford.
ASUS Sabertooth X58
Core i7 I7-930 8 MB@3.8MHz
Corsair Dominator 3 x 2 GB@1600MHz
Gainward GTX 570 Golden Sample (1.25 G
Crucial RealSSD C300 128 GB for OS and favourite games.
It works well, but I'm chomping at the bit...gaging for a new rig!
I've never waited so long to upgrade before, but I'm holding out to see what Ivy Bridge brings with it.
I'm of course expecting some great CPUs with exceptional "bang for the buck".
I'm also interested to see what improvements come to the LGA1155 platform.
I'm hoping to see some advancement in Lucid Virtu software.
Improved onboard SATA 600 controllers and native USB 3.0 (I'm thinking Z68 Chipset here).
Even the cheaper 3930K, in my humble opinion, is way to expensive. Coupled with 2011 platform and 4 channel RAM prices, I won't pay that much.
I'm a gamer and I'm a bit one-eyed when it comes to a PC. Can it play the games I like, flat out at a reasonable price?
My rigs time has almost come, so I'm hoping Ivy Bridge can be my next good buy.
Ps. I noticed in your charts the 950 has been downgraded to an i5
Well that's IMHO still a great rig
good review, had the chance to have a play with one of these when they first came out and they are awesome! just can't afford one for myself 
managed to get 4.5ghz with 1.28v i wanted to get more out of it but my friend said no higher than 1.3v
managed to get 4.5ghz with 1.28v i wanted to get more out of it but my friend said no higher than 1.3v
Very happy to read that test, Guv! Looking for a CPU to go with my new Rampage IV, seems like I found it. Here in DK 3960X sell at about £800!! So good to know, that you can have almost the same power at £450!!! Agree that these prices are insane 
Awesome review TTL . Might do a 2011 rig for a F@H rig instead of Ivy, don't know yet :/
. Might do a 2011 rig for a F@H rig instead of Ivy, don't know yet :/Awesome review TTL, I agree with you completely, if money is no option then go with the i7 3960X but if you are a bit tight on cash, it would be best to go with the i7 3930K.
On a side note, I am really looking forward to see the performance comparisons between these 2011 CPU's and the new Ivy Bridge CPU's that will be released later this year.
On a side note, I am really looking forward to see the performance comparisons between these 2011 CPU's and the new Ivy Bridge CPU's that will be released later this year.
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Originally Posted by Sgt.Bilko
Good review Tom. Being a fellow enthusiast, I agree with you. If you have the best gear , use it! Unfortunately, unlike you, I'm not a reviewer so I use what I've got/can afford. ASUS Sabertooth X58 Core i7 I7-930 8 MB@3.8MHz Corsair Dominator 3 x 2 GB@1600MHz Gainward GTX 570 Golden Sample (1.25 G Crucial RealSSD C300 128 GB for OS and favourite games. It works well, but I'm chomping at the bit...gaging for a new rig! I've never waited so long to upgrade before, but I'm holding out to see what Ivy Bridge brings with it. I'm of course expecting some great CPUs with exceptional "bang for the buck". I'm also interested to see what improvements come to the LGA1155 platform. I'm hoping to see some advancement in Lucid Virtu software. Improved onboard SATA 600 controllers and native USB 3.0 (I'm thinking Z68 Chipset here). Even the cheaper 3930K, in my humble opinion, is way to expensive. Coupled with 2011 platform and 4 channel RAM prices, I won't pay that much. I'm a gamer and I'm a bit one-eyed when it comes to a PC. Can it play the games I like, flat out at a reasonable price? My rigs time has almost come, so I'm hoping Ivy Bridge can be my next good buy. Ps. I noticed in your charts the 950 has been downgraded to an i5 |
"3.8MHz ???"
Yeah MaXiMiZe, I mean of course 3.8GHz. Thanks for the headsup
Yeah MaXiMiZe, I mean of course 3.8GHz. Thanks for the headsup
GOOD review, this was the chip I wanted to go with when Intel first announced it!
It seems like it likes 4.5 to 4.6 Ghz for a daily overclock, but what about the Memory Kit???
I know Tom reviews with Dominatior 2400Mhz kits so he can mess around clocks and timings, but what frenquency does this chip hold at 4.5 to 4.6 Ghz
I was thinking 1600 would be boring, because I would always know it had more....
1866 would be just about right, without spending more than needed just to get a few extra benchmark points(law of diminishing returns)
2133 are just coming down in price but can this chip hold it? and more importantly use the extra bandwith without a stupid overclock and daily use unfriendly volts?
2400 are out but if Tom can't find a chip to hold that , I'm not even gonna try, money could be used elsewhere.
It seems like it likes 4.5 to 4.6 Ghz for a daily overclock, but what about the Memory Kit???
I know Tom reviews with Dominatior 2400Mhz kits so he can mess around clocks and timings, but what frenquency does this chip hold at 4.5 to 4.6 Ghz
I was thinking 1600 would be boring, because I would always know it had more....
1866 would be just about right, without spending more than needed just to get a few extra benchmark points(law of diminishing returns)
2133 are just coming down in price but can this chip hold it? and more importantly use the extra bandwith without a stupid overclock and daily use unfriendly volts?
2400 are out but if Tom can't find a chip to hold that , I'm not even gonna try, money could be used elsewhere.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by BKCXb
GOOD review, this was the chip I wanted to go with when Intel first announced it! It seems like it likes 4.5 to 4.6 Ghz for a daily overclock, but what about the Memory Kit??? I know Tom reviews with Dominatior 2400Mhz kits so he can mess around clocks and timings, but what frenquency does this chip hold at 4.5 to 4.6 Ghz I was thinking 1600 would be boring, because I would always know it had more.... 1866 would be just about right, without spending more than needed just to get a few extra benchmark points(law of diminishing returns) 2133 are just coming down in price but can this chip hold it? and more importantly use the extra bandwith without a stupid overclock and daily use unfriendly volts? 2400 are out but if Tom can't find a chip to hold that , I'm not even gonna try, money could be used elsewhere. |
Hello,
First off just wanted to say that I love your reviews
I'm building a new rig at the end of April, and I was planing on using the I7 3930k after your review on my rampage 4.
However I have been reading that it only supports 1600Mhz ram, I just wanted to know if you can run with lets say Corsair Dominator-GT 4 x 4 GB 2133 MHz.
from the Intel forums they say it can cause issues.
So what's your view on this ?
Sorry for spelling mistakes - Dyslexia =/
First off just wanted to say that I love your reviews
I'm building a new rig at the end of April, and I was planing on using the I7 3930k after your review on my rampage 4.
However I have been reading that it only supports 1600Mhz ram, I just wanted to know if you can run with lets say Corsair Dominator-GT 4 x 4 GB 2133 MHz.
from the Intel forums they say it can cause issues.
So what's your view on this ?
Sorry for spelling mistakes - Dyslexia =/
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Thaloc
Hello, First off just wanted to say that I love your reviews I'm building a new rig at the end of April, and I was planing on using the I7 3930k after your review on my rampage 4. However I have been reading that it only supports 1600Mhz ram, I just wanted to know if you can run with lets say Corsair Dominator-GT 4 x 4 GB 2133 MHz. from the Intel forums they say it can cause issues. So what's your view on this ? Sorry for spelling mistakes - Dyslexia =/ |
If you want to be certain you could always look up the "approved memory module" documentation list that the motherboard vendor makes available.
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