Intel Processor Comparison

Anyone who’s thinking to build a computer rig need to know the real thing about the processors they’re going to use to satisfy their needs. Intel is definitely the choice if speed, power and reliability is our major concern as it conquer all AMD processors that includes the new 8-Core Piledriver.

These Intel Processor comparison lens will give you some ideas to be smart in choosing the best Intel processor you can have according to your applications and especially for your budget concern.

The high-end categories for all Intel processor line are the Sandy Bridge-E series. By looking at it physically, this is totally different from the previous Sandy Bridge processor as they use different architecture and socket. The boards that support these processors are the socket LGA2011 powered by X79 chipset.

Both processors are extreme edition which are solely applicable for any intense usage such as heavy graphics purposes such as extreme gaming and video editing. Due to its six-core and a total of 12-thread inside of it gives you so much power in your multi-tasking functions.

The Intel Core-i7 3970X 3.5GHz is the latest offering from Intel Sandy Bridge-E processor. However, the only difference between the 3970X and 3960X is the slight increase in its clock speed that gains partly at 3% on its performance. Both of them have 15MB of L3 cache and the 3970X insist an additional 200MHz on top of its default frequency but, they share the same oveclocking capabilities.

Nothing new with this one and a slight increase on its pricing at $10 seems like doesn’t matter for a $999 processor. If you want to save at least $10 pick the Intel Core-i7 3960X 3.3GHz EE other than that, an upgrade for your existing 3960X is not advisable.

The Core i7-3930K and Core-i7 3820 are excellent choice if refuse to spend $1,000 on the processor itself. The Core i7-3930K is $500 cheaper than the Core-i7 3970X while the Core-i7 3820 can save you more than $700.

You can enjoy the same goodness with Six-core and 12-threads in the presence of Core-i7 3930K processor. However, the main trade off here is the lower clock speed and the size of the L3 cache that partially decreases its performance.

You may want to consider the Core-i7 3820 as it was the lowest priced you can get from Sandy Bridge-E processor line-up. If you’re not into overclocking stuff and a 3.6GHz default clock makes you content this is definitely the one for you.

Most games can run flawlessly by a Quad-Core processor and a 10MB L3 cache found in Core-i7 3820 is more than enough in this scenario. If you don’t need much power of the Six-core processor you’ll surely admire the $700 price cut-off.

The main stream category includes those consumers who are seeking for a better performing processor at a mid-range price. Intel’s new offering for these types of users are the Core-i7 and Core-i5 Quad-Core processors.

Ivy Bridge Vs Sandy Bridge Processor

Everybody knows that the Sandy Bridge processors are the older version while the Ivy Bridge is the latest from Intel. Both of them employs the same socket LGA1155 platform however, the new one uses the 22nm micro architecture design that offers a better power efficiency and an enhanced video graphics trough its built-in HD4000.

If we try to look at its performance level there’s no significant change we can expect from the Ivy Bridge. Therefore, if you still have an existing Sandy Bridge on your system an upgrade is not advisable. If you don’t have yet the Ivy Bridge is definitely a good choice to start with.

The most powerful processor you can get from the Ivy Bridge series is the Core-i7 3770K. The processor has a default clock speed of 3.5GGHz and this unlock version enables you to overclock it from 4.7GHz to 5GHz provided with a good motherboard and CPU cooling system. The 3770K is geared with Quad-Core processor with eight-Thread and 8MB L3 cache that greatly contributes to its lightning performance.

Another excellent contender is the Core-i5 3570K, both processor operates at Quad-core and shares the same HD4000 graphics though, the 3770K noticeably shows better frame rate than the two.

The main differences between the two processors are the number Hyper-Treading and the size of its L3 cache. Obviously, this is the major trade off in the part of the 3570K with only four-thread and 6MB L3 cache.

Clocked at 3.4GHz and can be overclock lower than 3770K, probably somewhere at 4.5GHz. The HD4000 iGPU can match the lower-end graphics card out there so that you can play comfortably some games. You can always add a discrete graphics card into it to play a full graphics game.

Bottom Line

If you’re looking to save at least $100 on your processor to build your computer rig, the 3570K is definitely a good choice. On the other hand, if you don’t want to compromise its performance the 3770K wins the game.