Overview and testing of the i7 3820 processor

Intel decided to release three models of processors simultaneously: the Core i7-3930K, i7-3960X, and the modified version of the 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 the entry fee to the LGA 2011. In the end, this processor eliminates the presence of a free multiplier and, in principle, is a different model.

What is this model?

At its core, the Intel Core i7 3820 was used as a direct competitor of the top representatives of the LGA 1155 platform at the time, including models such as the i7-2700K, as well as the i7-2600K. The above mentioned devices proved quite good from the point of view of overclocking, as they could work without any difficulty at frequencies close to the 5 GHz mark, and at the same time the performance level reached almost unattainable at that time. Given that these devices for a long time were present in the market, it was extremely difficult for a newcomer to make them "move."

Popularization of previous models, in particular, was facilitated by the fact that they have a free multiplier, and they themselves differ in this very and very good overclocking potential, so the model of the Intel Core i7 3820 initially looked on their background a kind of dark horse. The only thing worth noting is that all competing devices, including the AMD FX-8120 model, have given users the opportunity to get performance above 2133 MHz and 4500 MHz for memory and processor.

3820 against 3930K

First of all, it's worth mentioning that the Intel Core i7 3820 engineering model is used for comparison. Of course, it is close to those that finally came to retail and which can be found to this day, but still its characteristics are brought to Ideal, and this should also be taken into account.

If you look at the abdomen of the processors, you immediately notice the different arrangement of all the components. The thing here is that the 3930K is based on an eight-core monolithic crystal, and at the same time it detects a certain part of the cache and two cores.

If we talk about what the Intel Core i7 3820 is, then the picture changes significantly. 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-mentioned models. The changes did not affect the memory controllers, as well as PCI-e, due to which their operation is carried out in the same modes and provides approximately the same functionality.

3820 against 2600K and FX-8120

If we consider the models 2600K and FX-8120, they are standard serial samples, and their only advantage is that they are approximately equal to the previous pair with respect to the frequency potential.

Models Intel Core i7 3820 and 2600K are quite similar characteristics, but there are several such parameters in them, which differ significantly between each other. In addition to using different design, the updated model lacks a free multiplier, as well as an integrated video core, instead it includes a dedicated four-channel memory controller and 40 PCI-e 3.0 lines.

Features of operation

As mentioned above, this device does not have a free multiplier, but in fact this does not limit the capabilities of this model regarding the overclocking of the maximum frequency. It is well known that the LGA 2011 platform provides for the possibility of changing the bus coefficients, due to which it can be installed within the limits of 125 to 133 MHz. In this case, we consider the threshold value in the region of 130, but even if this value is multiplied by the limiting coefficient of the processor (44), then it can be said that in the final analysis, the overclocking capabilities allow to develop the frequency at 5720 MHz. That is, as a result, the Intel Core i7 3820 has exactly the same limit as in the standard LGA 1155 platform.

To date, hardly anyone can be surprised by the results of 5000 MHz, and even at the time of this processor there were already people who actively dispersed existing models to this value. It is for this reason that many people immediately wondered if it would be realistic for a newcomer to the Intel Core i7 3820 to ultimately achieve such a result with the same theoretical boundary.

Overclocking

Special attention here should be paid to the fact that in these models there is a different heat package, and if in the 2600K model it costs 95 W, then in the new device its power reaches 130 W. Of course, these figures do not allow us to reliably determine the overclocking potential, but they indirectly allow us to determine the amount of heat that such devices can release. Among other things, this information suggests that if in order to reach a frequency of 5000 MHz, in the 2600K model it was enough just to provide air cooling, then in the Intel Core i7 3820 model it is already necessary to use specialized liquid installations.

In practice, testing was conducted by one of the leading air coolers of the Thermalright Silver Arrow model. Since the multiplier limitation is 44, the bus was immediately increased to 125 with the same divider. After translating the coefficient by 37, the frequency reached the limit of 4625 MHz, but in the future it was necessary to use water cooling.

Sandy Bridge-E architecture model

This model is an Intel Core i7 3930K High-End class. It is designed for enthusiasts, as well as for solving tasks of the utmost possible complexity. This device was manufactured using a 32-nm process technology for platforms that have an updated LGA 2011 processor connector.

How did the performance increase?

Quite a logical question from many users immediately became how developers managed to improve the performance of their device, but in fact the solution here is in the processor scheme used. First of all, the standard CPU chip was completely freed from the original graphics component, which could hardly be called actual for modern High-End class systems, resulting in its place two additional processing cores, with which two threads could be processed. Thus, on the basis of this technology, the continuation of the Intel Core i7 3820 appeared, which also used the Sandy Bridge-E architecture.

Simultaneously with the increase in the total number of active nuclei, a certain reorganization of other components also took place. In terms of its characteristics, this product significantly exceeds 3820, but it also has a much higher cost, which is quite important for the majority of users. Still, the price on the Core i7 3820 is slightly lower (about 19,000 rubles), as 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 decides to purchase such a productive device, then most likely he has his own views and preferences as to how cooling should be provided. In the rest, the bundle is standard - it's the processor itself and an additional information booklet.

Externally, this processor does not have any critical differences from its counterparts, and its only distinctive feature is only that it has rather large dimensions, which are significantly larger than the rest of the desktop options. On the production cover is the main marking, which indicates the clock frequency of the device, its model, and also the country of production.

Characteristics

The processor i7 3820 has quite impressive characteristics, and it can be attributed to solutions designed for budgetary, but at the same time productive systems that will have to perform most of the tasks necessary for a modern user. The main difference of this line is the availability of a four-channel memory controller, as well as the initial support for DDR3-1600 modules, which is quite good for the unit's capabilities. These users could notice while testing the 3930K.

The utility utility allows you to accurately confirm the characteristics of this device. Processors Core i7 3820 belong to the family Sandy Bridge-E 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 should be noted that the voltage on the core in this case is 1.2 V. A traditional addition to this performance is support for the company's proprietary technology called Turbo Boost 2.0, with which It is possible to dynamically increase the frequency at peak load moments, which leads to an increase in the total system power by approximately 2-4%. The maximum allowable clock frequency without additional overclock is 3900 MHz.

Cache

The cache memory is distributed as follows:

• The first level is 64 KB per core, of which 32 KB is allocated in order to cache various data, while the second one is intended for instructions.
• The second level of memory reaches 256 KB per each used kernel.
• The third level is common for the entire processor area, and its volume is 10 MB.

It is worth noting the fact that for the memory of the first and second levels is characteristic the presence of eight lines of association, 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 of other similar processors.

Conclusion

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 fully meets the requirements of the majority of modern games and applications. It is 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 environments.

Of course, recently more and more games are coming out, which are characterized by extremely high system requirements. Under these requirements, not all modern machines are suitable, not to mention the use of equipment in the age of several years. At the same time, this processor is quite suitable for meeting the requirements of modern gamers, since it allows you to run various processes on minimum requirements or even medium settings, depending on the user's preferences and game tastes.