Intel Core i7-3820 3.6GHz Socket 2011

Overview

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.

TechSpot Metascore

Based on 12 expert reviews

Excellent:

5
Good:

6
Average:

0
Bad:

1

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Last revision on December 16, 2015

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

Expert reviews and ratings

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 February 09, 2012

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 July 10, 2012

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 March 23, 2012

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 March 08, 2012

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 March 05, 2012

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 January 23, 2012

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 January 19, 2012

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 January 16, 2012

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 January 11, 2012

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 January 01, 2006

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