Intel decided to release simultaneously three processor models - Core i7-3930K, i7-3960X, as well as a modified version of Core i7 3820. Many users were initially at a loss as to why the latest model appeared on the current market, and it was assumed that the reason for this is the reduction in the cost of an entrance fee to the LGA 2011 club. Ultimately, this processor eliminates the presence of a free multiplier and, in principle, is a model different from others.
What is this model?
At its core, the Intel Core i7 3820 was used as a direct competitor to the then top representatives of the LGA 1155 platform, including models such as the i7-2700K, as well as the i7-2600K. The above devices proved to be pretty good in terms of overclocking, since they could easily work at frequencies close to the 5 GHz mark, and at the same time, the performance level reached a level that was almost unattainable at that time. Given that these devices have been on the market for a long time, it was extremely difficult for a newcomer to get them to "move".
The popularization of previous models, in particular, was facilitated by the fact that they have a free multiplier, while they themselves differ in very, very good overclocking potential, as a result of which the Intel Core i7 3820 initially looked like a kind of dark horse against their background. The only thing worth noting is that all competing devices, including the model from AMD FX-8120, provided users with the opportunity to get performance above 2133 MHz and 4500 MHz for memory and processor.
3820 vs 3930K
First of all, it is worth mentioning that the Intel Core i7 3820 engineering sample is used for comparison. Of course, it is close to those instances that ultimately came in retail and which can be found to date, but still its characteristics are brought to ideal, and this should also be considered.
If you look at the abdomen of processors, a different arrangement of all components is immediately evident. The thing here is that the 3930K is based on an eight-core monolithic crystal, and at the same time, a certain part of the cache and two cores are disabled in it.
If we talk about what the Intel Core i7 3820 model is, then the picture is noticeably changing. A crystal of four cores is used as the basis, that is, in fact, it represents only half of what is offered in the two above models. The changes did not affect the memory controllers, as well as PCI-e, as a result of which their operation is carried out in the same modes and provides approximately the same functionality.
3820 vs 2600K and FX-8120
If we consider the 2600K and FX-8120 models, then they are standard serial samples, and their only advantage is that in terms of frequency potential they are approximately equal to the previous pair.
Models Intel Core i7 3820 and 2600K differ in fairly similar characteristics, but there are several such parameters that differ significantly from each other. In addition to the fact that they use different designs, the updated model does not have a free multiplier, as well as an integrated video core, instead of which a specialized four-channel memory controller, as well as forty lines of PCI-e 3.0, are included in its set .
Operational Features
As mentioned above, this device does not have a free multiplier, but in fact this does not limit the capabilities of this model regarding overclocking the maximum frequency. It is well known that the LGA 2011 platform provides for the possibility of changing bus coefficients, due to which it can be installed in the range from 125 to 133 MHz. In this case, the threshold value in the region of 130 is considered, but even if this value is multiplied by the maximum processor coefficient (44), we can say that in the final analysis overclocking capabilities allow developing a frequency of 5720 MHz. That is, in the end, the Intel Core i7 3820 has exactly the same limit as in the standard LGA 1155 platform.
Today, hardly anyone can be surprised at the results of 5000 MHz, and even at the time of the release of this processor there were already people who were actively overclocking existing models to this value. It is for this reason that many immediately thought about whether it would be realistic for a newcomer to the Intel Core i7 3820 to ultimately achieve such a result with the same theoretical threshold.
Overclocking
Special attention should be paid to the fact that in these models there is a different thermal package, and if in the 2600K model it costs 95 watts, then in the new device its power reaches already 130 watts. Of course, these figures do not allow to reliably determine the overclocking potential, but at the same time they indirectly allow to determine the amount of heat that such devices can emit. Among other things, this information suggests that if in order to reach a frequency of 5000 MHz, in the 2600K model it was enough to simply provide air cooling, then in the Intel Core i7 3820 model it is already necessary to use specialized liquid systems.
In practice, testing was carried out by one of the advanced air coolers of the Thermalright Silver Arrow model. Since the limit of the multiplier is 44, the bus was instantly increased to 125 with the same divider. After shifting the coefficient to 37, the frequency reached the limit of 4625 MHz, but in the future it was already necessary to use water cooling.
Sandy Bridge-E Architecture Model
This model is an Intel Core i7 3930K High-End class. It is intended for enthusiasts, as well as for solving tasks of the greatest possible complexity. This device was manufactured using a 32-nm process technology for platforms with an updated processor socket LGA 2011.
How did productivity increase?
Quite a logical question from many users immediately became how the developers were able to increase the performance of their device, but in fact the solution here lies in the processor circuit used. First of all, the standard CPU crystal was completely freed from the original graphic component, which could hardly be called relevant for modern High-End class systems, as a result of which two additional processing cores were placed in its place, with which two streams could be processed. Thus, on the basis of such technology, a sequel to the Intel Core i7 3820 appeared, which also used the Sandy Bridge-E architecture.
At the same time as the total number of active nuclei increased, a certain reorganization of its other components also took place. In terms of characteristics, this product is noticeably superior to 3820, but at the same time it also has a much higher cost, which is quite important for most users. Nevertheless, the price on the Core i7 3820 is slightly lower (about 19,000 rubles), since it is a budget model, which is the most affordable among all devices using the Sandy Bridge-E architecture.
Boxed version
The standard version of this processor completely lacks a complete cooling system. This decision is not surprising for the reason that if a person decided to purchase such a productive device, then most likely he has his own views and preferences on how cooling should be provided. The rest of the equipment is standard - this is the processor itself and an additional information booklet.
Externally, this processor does not have any critical differences from its counterparts, and its only distinguishing feature is that it has rather large dimensions, which are significantly larger compared to other desktop options. On the production cover is the main marking, which indicates the clock frequency of the device, its model, as well as the country of production.
Characteristics
The i7 3820 processor has quite impressive characteristics, and it can be attributed to solutions designed for budget, but at the same time, productive systems that will have to fulfill the predominant majority of tasks necessary for the modern user. The main difference of this line is the presence of a four-channel memory controller, as well as the initial support for modules of the DDR3-1600 format, which reflects quite well on the unit's capabilities. This users could notice in the process of testing 3930K.
An auxiliary utility allows you to accurately confirm the characteristics of this device. The Core i7 3820 processors belong to the Sandy Bridge-E family and are manufactured in accordance with the 32-nm process technology. In the nominal mode, the device operates at a frequency of 3600 MHz, and it is worth noting that the core voltage in this case reaches 1.2 V. A traditional addition to this performance is the support of the company's proprietary technology called Turbo Boost 2.0, with which it is possible to dynamically increase the frequency at peak moments of the load, which leads to an increase in the total system power by approximately 2-4%. The maximum permissible clock frequency without additional overclocking is 3900 MHz.
Cache
The cache is allocated as follows:
- The first level is 64 KB for each core, of which 32 KB is allocated to cache various data, while the second is for instructions.
- The second memory level reaches 256 KB for each core used.
- The third level is common to the entire processor area, and its volume is 10 MB.
It is worth noting that the memory of the first and second levels is characterized by the presence of eight association lines, while the memory of the third level provides 16 lines.
The four-channel controller has the ability to support DDR3-1066 modules, as well as DDR3-1600 and DDR-1333. Traditionally, testing was carried out using DDDR3-1333, which is associated with the need to obtain such results that could be compared with the performance results of other similar processors.
Output
Thus, we can say that the Intel Core i7 3820 processor is a very, very relevant solution even for the modern component market. The performance of this device is consistent with the requirements of the vast majority of modern games and applications. For this reason, even today, this processor does not lose its popularity and continues to be actively used to assemble a variety of budget machines, designed for use in various conditions.
Of course, more and more games that have extremely high system requirements have recently been released. Not all modern machines are suitable for such requirements, not to mention the use of equipment that is several years old. At the same time, this processor is quite suitable for meeting the requirements of modern gamers, since it can be used to start various processes at the minimum requirements or even average settings, depending on the user's preferences and his gaming tastes.