Testbed Configuration

To test the new Ivy Bridge processors from Intel we got our hands on two units: the top Core i7-3770K model in the lineup and a “simpler” modification - Core i5-3570K.

These newcomers will be competing against older LGA 1155 CPUs from the same class that belong to the Sandy Bridge generation: Core i7-2700K and Core i5-2500K. Moreover, we also included higher-end products – LGA 2011 Sandy Bridge-E processors: Core i7-3930K and Сore i7-3820. And following more of a tradition than necessity we also included the top AMD CPU - AMD FX-8150.

As a result, our testbeds were configured using the following software and hardware components:

• Processors:
  • AMD FX-8150 (Zambezi, 8 cores, 3.6-4.2 GHz, 8 MB L3);
  • Intel Core i5-2500K (Sandy Bridge, 4 cores, 3.3-3.7 GHz, 6 MB L3);
  • Intel Core i5-3570K (Ivy Bridge, 4 cores, 3.4-3.8 GHz, 6 MB L3);
  • Intel Core i7-2700K (Sandy Bridge, 4 cores + HT, 3.5-3.9 GHz, 8 MB L3);
  • Intel Core i7-3770K (Ivy Bridge, 4 cores + HT, 3.5-3.9 GHz, 8 MB L3);
  • Intel Core i7-3820 (Sandy Bridge-E, 4 cores + HT, 3.6-3.9 GHz, 10 MB L3);
  • Intel Core i7-3930K (Sandy Bridge-E, 6 cores + HT, 3.2-3.8 GHz, 12 MB L3).
• Processor cooler: NZXT Havik 140;
• Mainboards:
  • ASUS Crosshair V Formula (Socket AM3+, AMD 990FX + SB950);
  • ASUS P8Z77-V Deluxe (LGA1155, Intel Z77 Express);
  • ASUS Rampage IV Formula (LGA2011, Intel X79 Express).
• Memory:
  • o  2 x 4 GB, DDR3-1866 SDRAM, 9-11-9-27 (Kingston KHX1866C9D3K2/8GX);
  • 4 x 4 GB, DDR3-1866 SDRAM, 9-11-9-27 (2 x Kingston KHX1866C9D3K2/8GX).
• Graphics card: EVGA GeForce GTX 580 Classified 3 GB (03G-P3-1588-AR);
• Hard drive: Intel SSD 520 240 GB (SSDSC2CW240A3K5).
• Power supply unit: Tagan TG880-U33II (880 W).
• Operating system: Microsoft Windows 7 SP1 Ultimate x64.
• Drivers:
  • AMD Chipset Driver 12.3;
  • Intel Chipset Driver 9.3.0.1019;
  • Intel Management Engine Driver 8.0.0.1399;
  • Intel Rapid Storage Technology 11.1.0.1006;
  • NVIDIA GeForce 296.10 Driver.

When we tested the AMD FX-8150 based system we installed KB2645594 and KB2646060 OS patches.