This great and fast processor from Intel dedicated for gamers and overclockers. The Intel Core i7 980X processor Extreme Edition is Intel's first 32nm processor with 12 computing threads to deliver the cutting edge in PC performance. It combines the power of six processing cores running at 3.33 GHz into a single processor, guaranteeing the utmost performance and power for the most demanding applications. With 12 MB of smart cache, the Core i7 980X processor ensures that you get maximum responsiveness from your system, even when running many intensive programs simultaneously. Compatible with motherboards based on the Intel X58 Express chipset, the Core i7-980X processor takes your computing and gaming experience to the next level.
The Intel Core i7 980X processor Extreme Edition packs six computing cores running at 3.33 GHz to deliver breakthrough performance in gaming and multitasking. The Core i7-980X will not only handle today's complex games, but tomorrow's as well. You'll experience smoother, more realistic gameplay as AI, physics, and rendering are distributed across the six cores and 12 threads. Your 3D gaming will be brought to life without frame-rate hiccups and slowdowns so you can dominate the competition.
The i7 family is Intel's flagship processor, and for good reason. With the i7 family, Intel engineers invented a revolutionary new style of microarchitecture. They replaced the front side bus--a longtime staple of processor design--with a new technology called QuickPath Interconnect (QPI). Using QPI, the Intel Core i7 980X processor increases bandwidth and lowers latency, while achieving data transfer speeds as high as 25.6 GB/s.
To put it simply, users will enjoy faster and more streamlined processing than ever before. Your computer will handle multiple projects and applications without the slowdown you'd experience with a lesser processor.
Built to be tweaked and pushed to the limits, Intel Core i7 980X processor Extreme Edition features an unlocked core making it easier to overclock. For performance enthusiasts looking to squeeze every last ounce of performance out of their hardware, Intel DX58SO Extreme Series Desktop Boards provide a stable foundation for a benchmark-shattering system.
The Intel Core i7 980X processor Extreme Edition is backed by a three-year limited warranty.
Intel Core i7-980X processor
Extreme Edition features:
- Six 3.33 GHz cores and 12 threads for better performance.
- Quick Path Interconnect provides fast data transfer between the processor and chipset.
Review By Dexter :
This is the best CPU out in the market... I think we all agree... I remember when the 975 was out some people said that a 920 could nearly match the performance of a 965 or 975... I only laugh about it because the voltage you have to set to be above 4Ghz is too high... They were nearly frying the poor CPU, over-stressing the memory, getting BSOD and freezes just to say that they are using it at 4Ghz... With this new 980x overcloking have never been easier. Mine is set to 4.25Ghz using a Vcore of 1.33V (using an Asus P6T7 WS Supercomputer bios 0804) and it's a rocket.
In CPU dependant games like Flight Simulator X the FPS will increase a bit (taking in reference a 975 overclocked) but the flying is a LOT smoother... Now I can really enjoy FSX at a 1920 x 1200 resolution using all "must" add-ons like Ground Environment X USA-Canda/Europe, Ultimate Traffic 2, Ultimate Terrain X USA/Canada/Europe, Real Environment Xtreme 2 and SceneryTech Landclass in sceneries like KJFK, KLAX or EGLL... while at the same time using in another monitor (1680 x 1050) FSX programs like Electronic Flight Bag, Plan-G, FS Commander and nDAC 3 with no FPS penalty... In other games like DiRT, ARMA II or Crysis you may not see a remarkable difference in FPS because they are GPU dependant games.
The other thing to consider when you buy this CPU is that to see full potential you have to use Solid State Drives SSD (mainly for the OS) and top of the class graphic card like HD 5870 in Xfire or a HD 5970... or if you don't care to have a little volcano stabbing your electric bill you can use a GTX 480...
It a 1000 bucks CPU, but believe me, at the end that will be the last thing on your mind when playing.
Review By J.gould :
It's just a monster of a CPU, by no means budget but due to the extra cores the performance per dollar matches that of many far less expensive chips. My Q6600 lasted a bit over 2 years and I'm expecting this one to last longer before a worthwhile upgrade is available.
Overclockability got 4 starts from me because for some reason at load one core is like 10 degrees cooler than the rest which makes me think the soldering in the heat spreader is less than perfect, but despite that I was able to easily hit my 20% OC goal to 4GHz at stock voltages, though I think it would have probably been able to hit 4.2 if the core temperatures were more consistant and closer to those of core.
Review By K00lbr33ze :
I recently upgraded my pc from an AMD 64 4200x2 since it's > 5yrs old. I do a lot of content creation (games & various CG). This CPU has made my life easier. Render time with Maya has been reduced significantly- same with compiling a game. As an example, I have a fairly simple scene created in Maya, what took > 4hrs. to render a single frame now takes ~20 min. Compiling a game with Radiant used to take > 2hrs. now ~30min.
I highly recommend this CPU if you're doing a lot of content creation. Yes, the CPU's price is high but the time saved on compiling or rendering is tremendous- allowing you to be more productive.
The rest of the machine:
Mobo: Asus P6X58D-E
GPU: Radeon 5870HD
RAM: 12Gb OCZ gold series
HDD: 1.25Tb SATA [multiple HDDs taken from the old PC]
PSU: Seventeam 850W VForce
DVD: 1 LG Lightscribe + 1 NEC DVD DL
Case: Coolermaster ATCS 840s
Review By masterofall:
Very pleased with this product. I am using the processor for rendering 3D animation and I am very pleased to see a significant decrease in render times over my previous processor, a quad core q9550. the speed of twelve threads is also allowing me to create more dense scenes within maya without lag or long loading times. its definitely a joy to use the 980x. its running very well in my system, completely stable, and mainting a max temp of 70c even after hours of all the cores being maxed out for rendering. as for amazon i was very impressed with the delivery time, 7 days to australia and arrived in perfect condition. overall im very pleased with the product, definitely a good purchase, well worth the money.
