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Technical Details
- Brand Name: Intel
- Model: BX80619I73960X
- Processor Count: 2
- Warranty: 3 years
- Processor Model Number: i7-3960X
Product Details
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Product Description
Intel Core i7 Processor Extreme Edition i7-3960X 3.3GHz 15MB LGA2011 CPU, Retail Without Fan
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
55 of 61 people found the following review helpful
By EmTea
Amazon Verified Purchase
There is no argument that the 3960x is extremly fast. Currently it is the fastest available consumer CPU, you can search many reviews and benchmarks and they'll all tell you the same.
The one thing you should realize though, it is only a little bit faster than the 3930k, (clock speed wise it is only a 100mhz difference, and benchmarks have shown the difference between the two are fairly narrow). Just looking at the published specifications on intel's website, you'll find the two identical except for the 100 mhz difference and a 3MB larger L3 cache. Basically, for an average user, they would not be able to tell the difference between the two performance wise.
What it comes down to is how much you're willing to spend for just a little more speed. The performance jump from an i7-2600k to a i7-3630k is pretty good, but the difference between a 3630k and 3960x is very small, and it can be pretty hard to justify a ~400 dollar price difference between the 3630k and 3960x.
If you're not worried about cost, and have to own the absolutely fastest processor available, then the 3960x is your choice now, just don't expect it to be blazingly faster than the one step down 3930k.
One other small note I want to add is that these processors (the Sandy Bridge-E processors), do not come with a cpu heat sink/fan. If you're building a system, don't forget to find a fan for the socket LGA 2011 for these processors.
The price difference aside, I love my new 3960x.
The one thing you should realize though, it is only a little bit faster than the 3930k, (clock speed wise it is only a 100mhz difference, and benchmarks have shown the difference between the two are fairly narrow). Just looking at the published specifications on intel's website, you'll find the two identical except for the 100 mhz difference and a 3MB larger L3 cache. Basically, for an average user, they would not be able to tell the difference between the two performance wise.
What it comes down to is how much you're willing to spend for just a little more speed. The performance jump from an i7-2600k to a i7-3630k is pretty good, but the difference between a 3630k and 3960x is very small, and it can be pretty hard to justify a ~400 dollar price difference between the 3630k and 3960x.
If you're not worried about cost, and have to own the absolutely fastest processor available, then the 3960x is your choice now, just don't expect it to be blazingly faster than the one step down 3930k.
One other small note I want to add is that these processors (the Sandy Bridge-E processors), do not come with a cpu heat sink/fan. If you're building a system, don't forget to find a fan for the socket LGA 2011 for these processors.
The price difference aside, I love my new 3960x.
38 of 42 people found the following review helpful
By Paul
This CPU is very fast. Right now I have it overclocked to 4.9Ghz with a little room to spare. I use this CPU to do scientific calculations for work, which mostly involves multithreaded calculations in Matlab and Mathematica. Thus far my new machine is the fastest workstation I have ever used.
This processor produces a lot of heat, so if you are overclocking you will need to get a good cooling system. The only other con of this processor is the price. (Which will likely include a new motherboard too). For me though, time is money and my investment will quickly pay off.
For those reviews that say software hasn't caught up to the potential of this processor (likely meaning games), I use every tidbit of processing power I can squeeze out of this processor. Its a fantastic processor for a workstation.
This processor produces a lot of heat, so if you are overclocking you will need to get a good cooling system. The only other con of this processor is the price. (Which will likely include a new motherboard too). For me though, time is money and my investment will quickly pay off.
For those reviews that say software hasn't caught up to the potential of this processor (likely meaning games), I use every tidbit of processing power I can squeeze out of this processor. Its a fantastic processor for a workstation.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Somedude
Amazon Verified Purchase
I installed one of these for a client and I have to say, if cost is not an issue, this is the chip to get! The motherboard alone costs around $250+ plus the cost of this chip, but I must say, if you want the cream of the crop, this intel I7 extreme chip is the way to go! Amazing fast processing speed!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Super fast
Super Fast and cool, nothing I use taxes the system (+) I'll be good to go for the next 5 or so years without worry of a new OS or software that my processor won't handle.
Published 28 days ago by Alex
1.0 out of 5 stars
Intel i7-3960X processor. error???
I bought on feb.18.2013 a processor intel i7-3960 Extreme, but
i received instead, a processor Pentium D. What to do? Read more
i received instead, a processor Pentium D. What to do? Read more
Published 1 month ago by Odilon
5.0 out of 5 stars
monster cpu
cold and powerfull top cpu of intel ! just the best for wo works in pac and need a great speed
Published 3 months ago by just4fun(BR)
3.0 out of 5 stars
The fastest, but not worth it.
True, this CPU is one of the fastest on the market right now, but that doesn't mean it's worth it. First of all, I would not recommend this for any type of gamer, casual or... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mark & Tree
5.0 out of 5 stars
excelent
This processor is a beast. Everything runs fast on my new pc. Haven't tested out much with the games but when I play Mass Effect 3 it doesn't lag even though I have an old GTS 8800... Read more
Published 6 months ago by damjan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good for gammers and fast
I just teamed this up with a gtx 690 and 16 gb ram and let me tell u it rips up all the games I play like diablo3 lol minecraft battle field 3 etc all with just awesome fps I... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Susana
5.0 out of 5 stars
Chip for Chips
Sometimes you need to just go with your gut and indulge yourself. I've been wanting to get a little Intel black box on a build but always let the price scare me away. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Thrash Adams
5.0 out of 5 stars
excellent
great buy!! excellent processor; excellent packaging, small, light and easy to ship; fast, multicore. It requires strong cooling so you will probably need liquid cooling.
Published 15 months ago by rubiel diaz
4.0 out of 5 stars
I just received it, and....
I just received this CPU and I need to tell you one important thing:
It does NOT come with the usual Intel stock cooling fan we used to see with older CPU models. Read more
It does NOT come with the usual Intel stock cooling fan we used to see with older CPU models. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Descenter
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fast
Jeeze this thing is fast... It's definitely worth getting, especially if you want to maximize your computer's potential. The price is fair.
Published 16 months ago by Redditor
