Intel Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition Sandy Bridge-E CPU
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The PCMark test is a collection of workloads that measure system performance during typical desktop usage. This is the most important test since it returns the official PCMark score for the system
Storage
- Windows Defender
- Importing pictures
- Gaming
Video Playback and transcoding
Graphics
- DirectX 9
Image manipulation
Web browsing and decryptingThe Entertainment test is a collection of workloads that measure system performance in entertainment scenarios using mostly application workloads. Individual tests include recording, viewing, streaming and transcoding TV shows and movies, importing, organizing and browsing new music and several gaming related workloads. If the target system is not capable of running DirectX 10 workloads then those tests are skipped. At the end of the benchmark run the system is given an Entertainment test score.
The Creativity test contains a collection of workloads to measure the system performance in typical creativity scenarios. Individual tests include viewing, editing, transcoding and storing photos and videos. At the end of the benchmark run the system is given a Creativity test score.
The Productivity test is a collection of workloads that measure system performance in typical productivity scenarios. Individual workloads include loading web pages and using home office applications. At the end of the benchmark run the system is given a Productivity test score.
From this point forward, we'll not only be comparing the new Intel Core i7-3690X Extreme Edition processor to the top-of-the-line processors from three competitive platforms (AMD FX, Intel Socket 1155 Sandy Bridge, Intel Socket 1366 Gulftown), but we'll also be comparing the performance of the X79 Express based motherboards that arrived in time for testing with Intel's new flagship CPU.
As you can see in the results above, the Core i7-3690X Extreme Edition has no trouble outpacing the six-core Core i7-990X and quad-core Core i7-2700K in terms of overall PCMarks or in the individual, specialized tests. The AMD FX-8150, AMD's current flagship processor, doesn't come close to any of the Intel systems tested.
