Testbed Configuration

For our today’s test session we received two new Intel processors: Core i7-3960X and Core i7-3930K. Below you can see our CPU-Z screenshots that can provide information about their basic characteristics.

Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition

Core i7-3930K

We compared the performance of these new processors with that of the flagship CPUs for all other existing platforms. As a result, we used the following hardware and software components for our testbed:

• Processors:
  • AMD FX-8150 (Zambezi, 8 cores, 3.6 GHz, 8 MB L2 + 8 MB L3);
  • AMD Phenom II X6 1100T (Thuban, 6 cores, 3.3 GHz, 3 MB L2 + 6 MB L3);
  • Intel Core i7-2600K (Sandy Bridge, 4 cores, 3.4 GHz, 1 MB L2 + 8 MB L3);
  • Intel Core i7-2700K (Sandy Bridge, 4 cores, 3.5 GHz, 1 MB L2 + 8 MB L3);
  • Intel Core i7-3930K (Sandy Bridge-E, 6 cores, 3.2 GHz, 1.5 MB L2 + 12 MB L3);
  • Intel Core i7-3960X (Sandy Bridge-E, 6 cores, 3.3 GHz, 1.5 MB L2 + 15 MB L3);
  • Intel Core i7-990X Extreme Edition (Gulftown, 6 cores, 3.46 GHz, 1.5 MB L2 + 12 MB L3).
• Processor cooler: NZXT Havik 140;
• Mainboards:
  • ASUS P8Z68-V PRO (LGA 1155, Intel Z68 Express);
  • ASUS P9X79 Pro (LGA 2011, Intel X79 Express);
  • Gigabyte 990FXA-UD5 (Socket AM3+, AMD 990FX + SB950);
  • Gigabyte X58A-UD5 (LGA 1366, Intel X58 Express).
• Memory:
  • 2 x 2 GB, DDR3-1600 SDRAM, 9-9-9-27 (Kingston KHX1600C8D3K2/4GX);
  • 3 x 2 GB, DDR3-1600 SDRAM, 9-9-9-27 (Crucial BL3KIT25664TG1608);
  • 4 x 2 GB, DDR3-1600 SDRAM, 9-9-9-27 (2 x Kingston KHX1600C8D3K2/4GX).
• Graphics card: ATI Radeon HD 6970.
• Drive: Kingston SNVP325-S2/128GB.
• Power supply unit: Tagan TG880-U33II (880 W).
• Operating system: Microsoft Windows 7 SP1 Ultimate x64.
• Drivers:
  • Intel Chipset Driver 9.2.3.1022;
  • Intel Management Engine Driver 7.1.21.1134;
  • Intel Rapid Storage Technology 10.6.0.1022;
  • AMD Catalyst 11.10 Display Driver.