LGA 2011 - 6-core with less GHz vs. quad-core with more GHz?

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ShadowRaidTech

ShadowRaidTech

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Apr 1, 2013
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I'm planning on building myself an audio/video production computer. The motherboard I have chosen is an LGA 2011 socket Intel X79

Alongside 32-64GB worth of RAM, I need a darn good processor.

However, looking at the LGA 2011s, there's only 2 within my price range.
That being the i7-3820 3.6GHz Quad-Core (8 threads) & the i7-3930K 3.2GHz Six-Core (12 threads)

I'm just curious, for audio production, video production and possibly some high end gaming, what would produce the better performance: GHz, Threads or Cores? As well as how do each of these 3 factor into the performance?

-thanks!

 
Solution
DarkSable
Just throwing out there, ivy bridge extreme is going to be coming out pretty soon - might be worth waiting for that.

As for the rest:

For audio and video production, threads matter - that being said, I highly doubt you'd be using a program that would take that much of an advantage of a 12-thread CPU over an 8-thread.

For gaming, as long as you have four or more PHYSICAL cores, then you're golden - past that you want speed and efficiency.


Here's what it comes down to:

Are you going to overclock? If so, get the 3930k, because it's unlocked, and you could easily have a six-core CPU running at 4.4GHz.
If you aren't going to overclock, the 3820 is probably the better option.
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DarkSable

DarkSable

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Sep 27, 2012
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Just throwing out there, ivy bridge extreme is going to be coming out pretty soon - might be worth waiting for that.

As for the rest:

For audio and video production, threads matter - that being said, I highly doubt you'd be using a program that would take that much of an advantage of a 12-thread CPU over an 8-thread.

For gaming, as long as you have four or more PHYSICAL cores, then you're golden - past that you want speed and efficiency.


Here's what it comes down to:

Are you going to overclock? If so, get the 3930k, because it's unlocked, and you could easily have a six-core CPU running at 4.4GHz.
If you aren't going to overclock, the 3820 is probably the better option.
 
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ShadowRaidTech

ShadowRaidTech

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Apr 1, 2013
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Thank you very much, DarkSable!

These 2 processors I listed are not set in stone. I'm sure by the time I do get enough for this build saved up the new Ivys will be out. I'll definitely consider them too with the advice you have provided. :D

 
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DarkSable

DarkSable

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Of course - I'm glad that I could help. :)

Just keep in mind that if you do get an overclockable CPU, the extremes kinda ignore anything reasonable when it comes to thermal capacity, so expect to have some damn good cooling setup.
 
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corbyj

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The i7-3820 is actually only partially locked, the multiplier is unlocked. I have a i7-3820 running at 4.8GHz
 
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corbyj

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I concur, it does put off some heat. I just have a Corsair H100i water cooling kit and under full load it tops out about 60C
 
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corbyj

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Another cpu to keep in mind is the Intel XEON E5. I believe 1610, 1620, and 1660 are comparable to the IB-E series on the LGA2011 socket. I wish I would have found these before I bought my i7-3820. I also have and suggest looking into a NVidia TESLA card, they are pretty brutal when it comes to number crunching and rendering!!!
 
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