To test power consumption, we monitor the overall power of the system through a plug-in electricity usage monitor at an idle and load state. This allows us to show the fluctuation between how much power draw the system takes at idle and at load. By monitoring the overall usage of the whole system, it gives an easy comparison if you wish to do the same yourself as opposed to buying very expensive individual testing equipment.
Power consumption on the 3960X is actually quite good with results coming in slightly lower than the X58 990X processor. In terms of comparison against our 2700k, there isn’t much competition but we would be comparing a 6 core CPU to a 4 core which doesn’t make much logical sense.
I am a very happy Bulldozer FX-8120 on a Asus Sabertooth 990FX Mobo guy, running smooth and cool at 4.5 Ghz, I am not a cheapo by any means but I cannot imagine spending $1049.99 (which is what it costs here in the US) for that, I guess if you have unlimited pocketbooks, go for it :
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N…