Intel Core i7-3960X Sandy Bridge-E Processor Review

The Test System

Before we look at the numbers, let’s take a brief look at the test system that was used. All testing was done on a fresh install of Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit and benchmarks were completed on the desktop with no other software programs running. All of the systems ran an AMD Radeon HD 6950 graphics with Catalyst 11.10 Preview drivers, a Crucial C300 256GB SSD with firmware version 0009, a Corsair HX850W power supply and all of the systems ran a total of 8GB DDR3 memory at CL9 timings (1.50V), with the exception of AMD Phenom II processors that were limited to 1600MHz with CL9 timings. We kept the video cards, power supplies, solid-state drives, memory timings and voltages identical to make sure the processors were being kept in the hot seat.

Intel X79/LGA2011 Platform

The Intel X79 platform that we used to test the Intel LGA 2011 processors
was running the Intel DX79SI motherboard with BIOS SI.0280B that came out on 10/14/2011. The Corsair Dominator GTX4 8GB 2400MHz quad channel memory kit was set to 1866MHz with 1.5v and 9-10-9-28 1T memory timings. We also used a Zalman CNPS12X CPU Cooler. CPU-Z version 1.58.7 does not properly read the Intel Core i7-3960 processor, so the memory clock settings are not being shown correctly.

Intel Z68 Platform

The Intel Z68 platform that we used to test the Intel 1155 processors was running the Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3 motherboard with BIOS F10
that came out on 10/12/2011. The Corsair Vengeance 8GB 1866MHz memory kit was set to 1866MHz with 1.5v and 9-10-9-28 1T memory timings.

The AMD FM1 ‘Llano’ Test System:

The test system was run in dual-channel memory mode at 1866MHz with
9-10-9-28 1T memory timings. The Gigabyte GA-A75-UD4H motherboard was
running BIOS F3, which was the latest build available when testing was
completed. You can see all of the CPU-Z and GPU-Z information for this test platform below.

AMD AM3+ Platform

The AMD AM3+ platform that we used to test the AMD Phenom and FX processors were run on the ASUS Crosshair V Formula motherboard with BIOS 9901
that came out on 9/26/2011. The Corsair Vengeance 8GB 1866MHz memory kit was set to 1866MHz with 1.5v and 9-10-9-28 1T memory timings on the AMD FX-8150 and then at 1600MHz with 1.5v and 9-10-9-28 1T memory timings on the Phenom II X4 and Phenom II X6 processors.

The integrated graphics comes up as Radeon HD 6530D according to GPU-Z and we used AMD CATALYST 11.6 drivers for testing.

AMD Test Platform
Component	Brand/Model	Live Pricing
Processor	A8-3850 / A6-3650	Click Here
Motherboard	Gigabyte GA-A75-UD4H	Click Here
Memory	8GB GSKILL Ripjaws 1866	Click Here
Video Card	AMD Radeon HD 6950	Click Here
Hard Drive	Crucial C300 256GB SSD	Click Here
Cooling	AMD Retail Boxed	Click Here
Power Supply	Corsair HX850W	Click Here
Operating System	Windows 7 Ultimate 64-Bit	Click Here