Review: Intel Core i7-4960X (32nm Ivy Bridge-E)

Conclusion

The Ivy Bridge-powered Core i7-4960X is an anachronistic chip. Already superceded in terms of architecture by the Haswell range of processors earlier this year, IVB-E is Intel saying that it can release high-performance CPUs whenever it so wishes, with whatever architecture it deems fit - a thought that's underscored by AMD not having the necessary FX firepower to compete in the upper echelons of the enthusiast space.

A little better than the last-generation SNB-E Core i7-3960X in cases where applications can take advantages of the 6C/12T architecture, Core i7-4960X can, in fact, be slower than Haswell-based Core i7-4770K in everyday situations.

Much like its predecessor, Core i7-4960X's provenance is from the server space - this is a server/workstation chip massaged into consumer form. The $990 pricing reflects this fact, too, so we can only recommend it to the small band of enthusiasts who want the absolute pinnacle of desktop performance and are in a position to pay for it. For everyone else - and that's 95 per cent-plus of you out there - the 4th Generation Core (Haswell) chips offer far superior value for money.

Drawing a tenuous analogy, the Intel Core i7-4960X is an expensive muscle car that stands at odds against the new-age Haswell hybrids. You know the Haswells make far more implicit sense, but there's nothing like quite like seeing the 12-thread chip demolish benchmarks, is there?

The Good

Fastest-ever consumer CPU
Relatively energy efficient
Runs on existing LGA2011 platform
Good for full-bandwidth graphics

The Bad

$990 means it's out of reach of most
Minor improvements over last-gen SNB-E

HEXUS awards

Intel Core i7-4960X

HEXUS where2buy

TBC.

HEXUS right2reply

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“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.

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.

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.

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

Chaoss
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.