Intel Core i7-980X Extreme Edition Gulftown 6-Core 32nm Processor Review – Page 4

Unigine Heaven Demo

The Heaven Demo is one of my new favorite 3D benchmarks because it tests DX9, DX10, and DX11 as well as the point something or others in between. There’s a noticeable average frame rate difference. But, it’s the Score that changes the most leaving my Core i7 870 gaming machine spinning.

Crysis

Yes, sure, we know the 980 is complete overkill and a waste for just gaming, but we’re adding this just for those few extreme fanatics (like myself) who have been known to sport the craziest hardware at big LAN parties. Turbo was enabled on all three platforms since it’s a feature worth having on while gaming.

Graysky x264 HD Benchmark 3.0

This handy benchmark tool can be downloaded at many locations. It dual pass encodes a small 720p video and presents you with frame rate averages. Not surprisingly, the 980X is a media beast besting my precious Core i7 975.

Windows Media Encoder 9

Being that Media Encoder 9 is readily down loadable from MS, using the same similar sized file like Graysky’s HD test, we get a quick peak at the multimedia potential. It was in fact, almost 20 seconds, but we rounded it up. That’s right, media-philes start your drooling!

Final Thoughts on the Gulftown

Yep! It’s fast. This thing is a content creator’s new dream machine. With its new innovative 32nm micro architecture, surprisingly low 130W power consumption, two extra cores with dual Hyper-Threads, 7 new processor instructions, improved memory controller, Turbo Boost, and new racing exhaust straight off the block of GT-R, the Intel Core i7-980X left “fast” standing at the starting line.

In the coming weeks, you’ll be able to upgrade your 300hp processor for a 485hp processor requiring the usual premium: arm and leg. And, like any top of the line processors, the money in your sofa won’t be enough. Keep in mind, you’re not paying much more if any than you did when you bought your prized Core i7 975 Nehalem the first time.

After a few rounds with the Mohammad Ali of processors, we’re really anxious to see what AMD sends our way. What a heavy weight fight that’s going to be!

Pros