Intel’s 2011-v3 socket is designed for heavy video editing, rendering and other professional circumstances where multi-core performance is vital. As a result, the current top-tier mainstream processor is the Core i7-5960X which features 8 cores and 16 threads. However, the upcoming Broadwell-E range of CPUs includes a monster 10-core, 20 thread chip with 25M of cache. According to Benchlife, Broadwell-E utilizes the 14nm manufacturing process and should be unveiled during Computex 2016. Interestingly, Broadwell-E is based on four CPUs, the 6800K, 6850K, 6900K and 6950X.
The 6800K operates with a base speed of 3.40GHz and has a turbo reaching 3.6GHz. Additionally, it’s a 6-core, 12-threaded processor with a TDP of 140 watts. The 6850K is extremely similar apart from a frequency boost from 3.40GHz to 3.60GHz and 3.8GHz turbo. The 6900K is a 8 core, 16 threaded CPU with 20M of total cache and 3.20GHz base frequency which increases to a maximum of 3.7GHz. As previously mentioned, the 6950X is a 10 core, 20 thread CPU which runs at a base frequency of 3.0GHz and turbo of 3.5GHz.
On the current platform, the 5820K is a great option and very similar in specification to the much more expensive 5930K barring 40 PCI-E lanes and a frequency boost. Judging from the leaked documentation so far, it seems Intel is trying to cater towards a wider range of professionals and I cannot wait to see how the flagship 10 core CPU performs compared to the 5960X.
