Intel Core i7-3820

The Intel Core i7 3820 features four cores operating at 3.6GHz, a 10MB L3 cache and HyperThreading support. It also support PCI Express 3.0 and a platform that will take as much as 32GB of system memory. Additionally, the i7-3820 supports quad-channel memory meaning users will be compelled to purchase four modules rather than just two.
4
Cores
8
Threads
3.6 GHz
Base Clock
3.8 GHz
Boost Clock
Socket LGA 2011
Socket
130 W
TDP
No iGPU
Graphics
Release date:Feb 13, 2012Price at Launch:$294
Cores:4Threads:8
Base Clock:3.6 GHzBoost Clock:3.8 GHz
Type:DesktopMultithreading:Yes
L2 Cache:1 MBL3 Cache:10 MB
Box Cooler:YesTDP:130 W
Socket:Socket LGA 2011Memory Support:DDR3-1333
Codename:Sandy Bridge-EProcess Size:32nm
Integrated Graphics:NoNPU:No
PCIe Support:PCIe 3.0, 40 Lanes

Reviews and Ratings

82

Average Score

Based on 12 reviews

Reviewers Liked

  • Very good performance, particularly on single-threaded applications
  • Affordable
  • PCIExpress 3.0 with 40 lanes
  • QuadChannel DDR3
  • 10MB Cache
  • Easy overclocking because of the Gear Ratio feature
  • Best QuadCore Performance
  • Locked CPU that can still be Overclocked
  • Lots of Overclock Headroom
  • Better price than Slower CPUs

Reviewers Didn't Like

  • Inconsistent compared with other high-end Intel chips
  • Partially unlocked multiplier limits overclocking potential
  • Requires X79 Express motherboard, video card, cooler
  • Not a fully unlocked processor
  • You lose Intel's QuickSync technology if moving from LGA1155
  • Can't get this deal without an X79 Motherboard, adding to the overall price
  • Feature Tradeoff with 2600K Processor
  • Sandy Bridge LGA1155 provides superstern competition
85

The Intel Core i7-3820 is particularly intriguing because of its sub-$300 retail price -- far less than other chips in the Sandy Bridge-E family. With that in mind we expected Intel to butcher this chip, but the 3820 remains an impressive specimen with four cores at 3.6GHz, a 10MB L3 cache and HT support.

By TechSpot on
60

Late last year Intel released an update to their line of Sandy Bridge processors dubbed Sandy Bridge-E (for ‘Enthusiast’ according to Intel). Since the launch of the initial pair of six-core CPUs, the i7-3930K and i7-3960X, only one other chip has...

By PCWorld New Zealand on
80

The Intel Core i7-3820 processor is a fine performer, but it lacks the impressive features of other CPUs in the Sandy Bridge?Extreme...

By PC Mag on
90

When the LGA2011 processors and Intel X79 motherboards were released it was quite expensive to get into. The Core i7-3930K sells for about $600 and you will be paying over $200 for an Intel X79 motherboard. This does not leave much room for a decent...

By ThinkComputers on
93

As we have explained in the past, it's very hard to isolate a single component within a system. While we try to keep as many of the components static throughout the testing environment, it's impossible to keep everything the same. Any of these other...

By Benchmark Reviews on
80

So the Intel Core i7 3820 performs at around the same sort of levels as the top-end standard Sandy Bridge CPUs. We have to say, that's a bit of a disappointment. This is supposed to be the serious enthusiast processors for Intel's desktop faithful, but...

By TechRadar AU on
80

Intel muscled into its own high-end desktop CPU territory when it launched the Sandy Bridge E (SNB-E) chips in November 2011. Expanding on the specifications of the excellent mainstream second-generation Core chips by throwing more cores, cache and...

By HEXUS.net on
80

An ultra high-end processor from every point of view: ultra rapid in processing and excellent for games and while energy consumption is high, it isn’t excessive....

By DigitalVersus on
85

Intel launched their X79 platform in November and Kitguru was on hand with multiple reviews. Since this launch we have looked at several motherboards primarily targeting the hardcore, high end overclocking audience. There is no doubt the Core i7...

By Kitguru.net on
92

We will be running each through a selection of real world tests to establish how they compare to the latest offerings from AMD, and finding out how well they overclock using the unlocked...

By HardwareHeaven on

Late May we published a huge round-up of 45 desktop processors , followed by a review of Intel's fourth generation Core processors . Our readers immediately, and understandably, came with the request for a similar group test of laptop processors. It's...

By uk.hardware.info on

On June 4 Intel is launching its next generation Core processors, also called Haswell. That means it's the perfect opportunity for us to retest all current processors and a number of older ones with a completely new test configuration. It will not only...

By uk.hardware.info on