intel core i7 3970x vs 3960x vs 4960x

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
R

Raumaan2310

Honorable
Oct 19, 2013
23
0
10,510
Hi
Im finding trouble choosing the right cpu above. I need it to overclock to the max . if any others as good please tell me
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
blade of grass

blade of grass

Honorable
Jul 16, 2012
236
0
10,760
All of the processors that you've listed will perform/overclock very well (though make sure you have a good motherboard and power supply), the only big difference is what the stock speed is, and how high it has been binned.
When you're comparing processors in the same generation, the higher end models are usually the same processor that's been high binned (i.e. should perform better).

What you need to decide though is whether you want Ivy Bridge - E or Sandy Bridge - E. IB-E has PCI-e 3.0, whereas SB-E only has 2.0 (3.0 allows for more bandwidth). IB-E will also overclock less (when locking at clock speed) but will perform better per clock (4960x will perform better at 3.5GHz than a 3970x).

In the end, it's up to you, they are all great processors and will serve you quite well.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
maxcellerate

maxcellerate

Distinguished
Mar 17, 2013
36
0
18,530
Apparently, the 49xx's have solder between the chip and their heat spreader whereas the 39xx's have thermal paste which could leak at massively high overclocks. The downside seems to be that the 49's suffer from heat more when oc'ed, limiting their oc potential to less than the 39's. Might be something you want to look into.
But your chance of gettin a good'un are as likely with the K's as the X's, so unless your planing on maxing your memory, go for the K.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
logainofhades

logainofhades

Titan
Moderator
Apr 27, 2009
37,559
3,224
143,290


All LGA 2011 cpus have soldered heat spreaders. The 1155 3xxx chips and the 1150 4xxx chips have the paste.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
blade of grass

blade of grass

Honorable
Jul 16, 2012
236
0
10,760
Although they may not overclock as high (looking at clockspeed), they perform better per clock (i.e. @ 4.2GHz, the 4xxx series will perform better than the 3xxx series).

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
maxcellerate

maxcellerate

Distinguished
Mar 17, 2013
36
0
18,530
Even intel only boasts of to 'upto' 5%, which probably makes them about the same on average.
But if I was getting one now, I'd go for the 4960, for the stronger memory controller.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
logainofhades

logainofhades

Titan
Moderator
Apr 27, 2009
37,559
3,224
143,290


4930k is the fastest overall of those 3. In single threaded apps, 4770k might pull just slightly ahead. Anything more than 4 threads, the 4930k is better. If you can afford it, 4930k, if not, 4770k.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
rolli59

rolli59

Titan
Oct 27, 2007
47,790
283
130,890


Cheapest to build is the 4770K and the only one I would select for gaming, the 4820K I would skip and just go with the 4930K on 2011 if for productivity.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom