Intel Core i7-3820 Quad-Core Core Processor Review

When Intel released their new Sandy Bridge-E Processors late last year there was the flagship processor the i7-3930K which has a price tag of $599 and the I7-3930X which has an even more staggering price tag of $999.  When these processors were announced there was word of a more budget-friendly processor that would be out in Q1 of this year.  It is here in the form of the Core i7-3820.  This processor features 4 cores, features Intel’s Hyperthreading technology for up to 8 threads, a default clock speed of 3.6GHz with a turbo speed of 3.9GHz, 10MB of Intel Smart Cache, and this processor is built on the 32nm process.  This processor puts Intel’s X79 platform in the reach of many people with a price tag that is half of the i7-3930K at $300.  Read on to see what this processor is all about.

Special thanks to Intel for providing us with the Core i7-3820 Quad-Core Core Processor to review.

Specifications

Essentials
Status Launched
Launch Date Q1’12
Processor Number i7-3820
# of Cores 4
# of Threads 8
Clock Speed 3.6 GHz
Max Turbo Frequency 3.8 GHz
Intel® Smart Cache 10 MB
Bus/Core Ratio 45
DMI 5 GT/s
Instruction Set 64-bit
Instruction Set Extensions SSE4.2, AVX
Embedded Options Available No
Lithography 32 nm
Max TDP 130 W
VID Voltage Range 0.600V – 1.350V
Recommended Customer Price $294 – $305


Memory Specifications
Max Memory Size (dependent on memory type) 64 GB
Memory Types DDR3-1066/1333/1600
# of Memory Channels 4
Max Memory Bandwidth 51.2 GB/s
ECC Memory Supported No


Graphics Specifications
Integrated Graphics


Expansion Options
PCI Express Revision 2.0
# of PCI Express Ports 10


Package Specifications
Max CPU Configuration 1
TCASE 66.8°C
Package Size 52.5mm x 45.0mm
Sockets Supported FCLGA2011
Low Halogen Options Available See MDDS


Advanced Technologies
Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0
Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology Yes
Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x) Yes
Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d) Yes
Intel® Trusted Execution Technology No
AES New Instructions Yes
Intel® 64 Yes
Idle States Yes
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology Yes
Thermal Monitoring Technologies Yes
Execute Disable Bit Yes

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