Reviews - Intel Core i7-4960X

[HEXUS]

Unleash the beast.

Read more.

[jimbouk]

"a thought that's underscored by AMD not having the necessary FX firepower to compete in the upper echelons of the enthusiast space" - Any chance of throwing a genuine 12 core AMD G34 socket chip into the mix? Not really fair comparing a workstation CPU on a enthusiast socket against a desktop CPU on a desktop socket (~£250).

If you're going to be spending £1000+ on a CPU and motherboard then there are options, especially if you're after lots of cores.

[Noxvayl]

I don't mind having the FX 8350 included along with the i7 4770k but at least get something from AMD that is in the same ballpark as the enthusiast orientated Intel offering. As jimbouk said if you are willing to spend £1000 on an Intel CPU you can find an AMD CPU for a similar price that would be more comparable.

[crossy]

Good review - and I'm heartened to see how well that "mainstream" Haswell chip punches out in the stuff I'm interested in against the top of the line one.

Although the lesser "x" processor looks interesting, (4930X), I think I'll still be aiming to go for the 4770K for the next gaming rig build, especially given - as stated in the article - AMD don't currently seem to have anything really competetive at the moment.

[Chaoss]

It's EXACTLY the same as my 3970x apart from a 100Mhz base clock increase and a lowered TPD. No point in upgrading. Wake me when Haswell-E comes out with 8 Cores, DDR4 and Sata 3.2 Express

[kalniel]

It's EXACTLY the same as my 3970x apart from a 100Mhz base clock increase and a lowered TPD.

So not really exactly the same then (or you might as well say all chips are the same apart from different speeds and power efficiencies ) This is a generation on from your chip - Ivy Bridge, compared to your Sandy Bridge.

No point in upgrading.

Indeed, I doubt it's aimed at upgraders.

[MrJim]

The main problem for this chip is the aging X79 chipset. Does the i7 4960X support PCIe 3? If so, I assume it can't be used on the X79 platform?

[ksdp37]

Why did you stop rating each review out of 5? It's better to see a rating rather than a "Hexus Performance" badge...

[HalloweenJack]

or use an AMD FX 9590....

[kalniel]

The main problem for this chip is the aging X79 chipset. Does the i7 4960X support PCIe 3? If so, I assume it can't be used on the X79 platform?

Both the 4960X and X79 are PCIe3.0 capable.

[brasco]

Been reading reviews to see if it's worth a sidegrade, happy with the SB-E I have, will look forward to HW-E next year.

The main problem for this chip is the aging X79 chipset. Does the i7 4960X support PCIe 3? If so, I assume it can't be used on the X79 platform?

Most if not all X79 boards are PCI-E 3.0. It's architecture still very competitive.

or use an AMD FX 9590....

For gaming maybe, it get's trounced in every other area, which is so disappointing - 8 core at 5Ghz sounded too good to be true, and it was.

[AGTDenton]

Still feel no need to move on from Westmere. It's only downfall is that it has a classic BIOS rather than UEFI - but other than that its not letting me down at all.

Maybe I will wait for Broadwell-E - HMC might be available by then, here's wishing.

[shaithis]

I did wonder how they would sell the new workstation platform to enthusiasts now that PCI-E 3.0 makes the need for workstation boards substantially less (dual/triple/quad gfx).....and so they have made the cheaper 2011 chips unlocked.

Still, I can't see there being a rush to buy them.

[loyal986]

I would be pleased to have that AMD system but instead of geforce I want some red blood inside. AMD all way round, sounds good for my ears . Its just that I want this instead of that, and I know this is little weaker than that but what can that and can't this and this costs less than that and in the end this makes me happy.

[Ecliption]

[QUOTE=loyal986;389749]I would be pleased to have that AMD system but instead of geforce I want some red blood inside. AMD all way round, sounds good for my ears . Its just that I want this instead of that, and I know this is little weaker than that but what can that and can't this and this costs less than that and in the end this makes me happy.

You can get with this or you can get with that , you can get with this cuz this is where its at..( Black Sheep )

[devBunny]

"The Bad .. $990 means it's out of reach of most"

Exactly. Who cares about the out of reach 4960 when the 4930 gives so much more bang for the buck. Anyone with any budget consciousness is saying "Bring on the 4930 review".