Intel Core i7 3960X Extreme Edition CPU Processor Review

3DMark 11

3DMark 11 is the latest offering from Futuremark, taking full advantage of DirectX 11 by utilising tessellation features and volumetric lighting. It takes your graphics and CPU hardware to the edge to simulate the most extreme conditions whilst working as a stand point to compare results with other users online.

3DMark 11 really showed that the processor is a key aspect of any gaming system and the 3960X was ahead of the competition and almost level pegged with a 2700k overclocked. When we overclocked the 3960X it gained around 300 points which in gaming could give a significant difference in the frame-rate.

Aliens Vs Predator

Aliens Vs Predator is a science fiction first-person shooter computer game that relies on DirectX 11 and high amounts of Tessellation in conjunction to give enhanced shadows and fantastic textures to the surrounds and characters within the game.

Within Aliens Vs Predator, we saw no real benefit between the different processors that we tested including when we overclocked our 3960X, there was still no difference or performance increase.

F1 2011

F1 2011 is the latest instalment from Codemasters and is based upon the 2011 Formula One season. It utilises the latest DirectX 11 features including shadows, particles and reflections to offer the very best graphics in a fast-paced moving game with depth of field being a key focus. It relies heavily on all aspects of a computer system including GPU and CPU.

In F1 2011, there was no huge increase when looking at the different processors on different Intel systems. When we overclocked however, we saw a huge increase in performance and the frame-rate shot up by over 10FPS on each resolution tested.

Unigine Heaven 2.5

Heaven Benchmark is a DirectX 11 GPU benchmark based on advanced Unigine™ engine. It reveals the enchanting magic of floating islands with a tiny village hidden in the cloudy skies and utilises the full effect of DirectX 11 and allows you to configure shaders, tessellation and quality settings to your own personal choice.

In Heaven, no real benefit was seen from the 3960X and even results were seen across the board.

Metro 2033

Metro 2033 is a first person shooter set in the metro system of a post-apocalyptic Moscow with survival horror elements. The game consists of highly intensive graphics which utilises DirectX 11, tessellation features and amazing depth of field to give stunning graphics with high resolution textures and extreme lighting and motion blur technology.

Metro has always been an intensive game on the complete system, though for pure CPU performance, it shows that it didn’t make much difference and that the i7 2700k actually performed slightly better overall.