Many enthusiasts have been eagerly awaiting the next generation of Intel processors to use LGA 2011, which is supposed to be Ivy Bridge-E. Especially after seeing rumors of a 10 core Xeon E5-2600 V2 Ivy Bridge-EP CPU, I think many users expected at least an eight core Ivy Bridge-E part.
Unfortunately, if a slide posted by VR-Zone China is any indication, LGA 2011 users will not be getting an eight core processor any time soon. The slide suggests that Intel will release three new Ivy Bridge-E CPUs in the third quarter of this year (Q3'13). However, the top-end part is merely a six core CPU with slight improvements over the existing Sandy Bridge-E 3960X chip.
Specifically, the slide alleges that the initial Intel release will include the Core i7 4820, Core i7 4930K, and the Core i7 4960X. An Ivy Bridge-E equivalent to the SB-E 3970X is noticeably absent from the lineup along with several of the other rumored (higher core count) chips.
Rumored Ivy Bridge-E chips:
Clockspeed | Core Count | L3 Cache | Manufacturing Process | TDP | |
Core i7 4960X | 3.6GHz (4GHz Turbo) | 6 | 15MB | 22nm | 130W |
Core i7 4930K | 3.4GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) | 6 | 12MB | 22 | 130W |
Core i7 4820K | 3.7GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) | 4 | 10MB | 22 | 130W |
Existing Sandy Bridge-E equivalents:
Clockspeed | Core Count | L3 Cache | Manufacturing Process | TDP | |
Core i7 3960X | 3.3GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) | 6 | 15MB | 32nm | 130W |
Core i7 3930K | 3.2GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) | 6 | 12MB | 32nm | 130W |
Core i7 3820 | 3.6GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) | 4 | 10MB | 32nm | 130W |
All of the chips allegedly have 130W TDPs, 40 PCI-E 3.0 lanes, support for quad-channel DDR3-1866 memory, and are built on Intel's 22nm manufacturing process. The low end i7 4820 is a quad core chip clocked at 3.7 GHz base and 3.9 GHz turbo with 10MB L3 cache. The i7 4930K is an unlocked six core part with 12MB L3 cache and clockspeeds of 3.4 GHz base and 3.9 GHz turbo. Finally, the Core i7 4960X is rumored to be the highest-end chip Intel will release (at least, initially). It is also a six core part clocked at 3.6 GHz base and 4 GHz turbo. It has 15MB of L3 cache. These chips are the Ivy Bridge-E equivalents to the 3820, 3930K, and 3960X chips respectively. The new processors feature higher clockspeeds, and are based on 22nm 3D transistor technology instead of SB-E's 32nm manufacturing process. It seems that Intel has extended unlocking to the lower-tier LGA 2011 chip, as it is listed as the Core i7 4820K. Having an unlocked multiplier is nice to see at the low end (the low end of the enthusiast platform, anyway). Curiously, the TDP ratings are the same, however. That suggests that the move to 22nm did not net Intel much TDP headroom, and the higher clocks are bringing them up to similar TDP numbers. At least the TDP ratings are not higher than SB-E, such that you motherboard and HSF should have no problems accepting an IVB-E CPU upgrade (with a BIOS update, of course).
It will be interesting to see how the new Ivy Bridge-E chips stack up, especially considering Intel may also be unveiling the consumer-grade Haswell processor this year. On one hand, Ivy Bridge-E offers up a CPU upgrade path for existing systems, but on the other hand pricing and the performance of Haswell (and lack of higher core count Ivy Bridge-E chips like previous rumors suggested) may see enthusiasts instead opt for a motherboard+CPU overhaul instead of simply recycling the LGA 2011/X79 motherboard. At this point, if this new slide holds true it appears that Ivy Bridge E/LGA 2011 will become even more of a niche solely for workstations that need the extra PCI-E lanes and quad channel memory. I say this as someone running a Lynnfield system who is itching for an upgrade and torn on going for the enthusiast platform or waiting for Haswell.
What do you think about the rumored Ivy Bridge-E chips, are they what you expected? Do you think they will be worth a CPU upgrade for your LGA 2011-based system or are you leaning towards Haswell?
Read more about Ivy Bride-E at PC Perspective, including: Ivy Bridge-E after Haswell: I think I've gone cross-eyed.
Disappointed to say the
Disappointed to say the least. Was expecting a higher performance, lower TDP, 8 core chips to arrive with Ivy-E’s. Won’t be changing the good old (power hungry) 3930K just yet if these charts are true.
oh well another year with the
oh well another year with the 3820, wanted a 8 core 🙁
You do know what ‘allegedly’
You do know what ‘allegedly’ means right? Has there been an allegation?
Allegantion (noun): A claim or assertion that someone has done something illegal or wrong, typically one made without proof.
Actually, in the context used
Actually, in the context used it makes sense using the definition for allegedly not allegantion? Is that even a word?
al·leg·ed·ly
[uh-lej-id-lee] Show IPA
adverb
according to what is or has been alleged.
DONKEEEY (in scottish accent)
DONKEEEY (in scottish accent) This better not be true, just sold my P67, 2500k, 8 gig 2133. Migrated all other parts to my mediacenter and added 3770k, z77 gene, 16 gig 2400 to a fractal node 605. All this was to prepare my main case for a major overhaul, cutting holes for watercooling and preparing for the winters rain of new hardware, now I don’t know what to do, guess I will just have to wait for reviews while building / saving up for the parts. My new found Aquacoomputer fetish is going to cost me a small fortune.
Intel cheep thermal paste,
Intel cheep thermal paste, and cheeper graphics drivers, and remember no matter how many times Intel updates their HD graphics drivers, if your laptop’s OEM has customized the Intel HD graphics drivers, Intel will not be able to update your computers drivers, and OEMs allmost never update their customized intel HD graphics drivers! And good luck finding out if the computer you are about to buy has Intel generic HD graphics drivers, that Intel can update, beacuse there is no sticker on the laptop to tell you if the computer has Genaric Intel HD graphics drivers, and you will need administrative privileges to download the components from the Intel hd driver update website, that can tell you if the HD graphics drivers are Generic or not!
Try getting administrative privileges from a retailer to do this, they will look at you like you are insane!
If the retailer wants to be a
If the retailer wants to be a dick, just buy it, open it and run the check in the parking lot. If it doesn’t, return it. Restocking fee? Piss off, credit card chargeback!
No one seems to see the “K”
No one seems to see the “K” in 4820K. Everyone around the interweb used copy+paste for the text, ignoring the image.
I also wanted to see an 8-core. I guess it’s time to get a Xeon.
I am waiting for 6-core
I am waiting for 6-core laptop chip with a base clockspeed of 3GHZ. That’ll be awesome. Probably will happen sometime in the 14nm broadwell/skylake/skymont(10nm) area. Hopefully sooner rather than later
Sure would like to see a new
Sure would like to see a new batch of 2011s, would lower the price of the Sandy Bridge units a bit, and offer an easier upgrade to an 8 or 12 core HT processor.
At least the 4960x which has
At least the 4960x which has higher base clock and same turbo boost clock as the 3970x has 130w tdp and not 150w 🙂
Holy crap. I was really
Holy crap. I was really wanted to use these, but all my machines are LGA 1155. That means no go. That’s a pretty big deal, most sites and users don’t seem to be making anything of it. Very strange.
LOL
Intel Will Allegedly
LOL
Intel Will Allegedly Release Three Ivy Bridge-E Processors Later This Year
And all the PC gamers let out a yawn