Test Settings And Benchmarks
Test System Configuration | |
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CPU | Intel Core i7-3960X (Sandy Bridge-E): 3.30 GHz, Six Cores O/C to 4.80 GHz (48 x 100 MHz) at 1.45 V Core |
CPU Cooler | Swiftech H20-320 Edge HD Liquid Cooling Kit |
Motherboard | Asus P9X79 WS: LGA 2011, Intel X79 Express, Firmware 0603 (11-11-2011) O/C at 100 MHz BCLK |
RAM | G.Skill F3-17600CL9Q-16GBXLD 16 GB (4 x 4 GB) DDR3-2200 Benchmarked at DDR3-1600 CAS 9 defaults |
Graphics | 2 x Nvidia GeForce GTX 580: 772 MHz GPU, GDDR5-4008 Maximum Fan for Thermal Tests, SLI |
Hard Drives | Samsung 470 Series MZ5PA256HMDR, 256 GB SSD |
Sound | Integrated HD Audio |
Network | Integrated Gigabit Networking |
Power | Seasonic X760 SS-760KM ATX12V v2.3, EPS12V, 80 PLUS Gold |
Software | |
OS | Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate x64 |
Graphics | Nvidia GeForce 295.73 WHQL |
Chipset | Intel INF 9.2.3.1020 |
While our Core i7-3960X heats up the radiator, a pair of GeForce GTX 580 graphics cards heat up the inside of our case. Maximum graphics fan speed make thermal and temperature testing consistent at full load, while automatic graphics fan mode and a long idle period brought down temperatures and fan speed for our idle noise tests.
Almost amazingly, this lab’s reference Seasonic X760 power supply continues to drive unreasonable loads throughout our torture tests.
Benchmark Configuration | |
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Prime95 v25.8 | 64-bit executable, Small FFT's, Seven threads |
FurMark 1.6.5 | Windowed Mode, 1920x1080, 4X AA, Stability Test, Maximum temperature |
RealTemp 3.40 | Average of maximum core readings at full CPU load |
Galaxy CM-140 SPL Meter | Tested at 1/2 m, corrected to 1 m (-6 db), dBA weighting |