Gaming Computer Build for ALL

What is Hyper - Threading ?

2012-03-27T10:08:00.000-07:00

Introduction

Despite all of the advancements we’ve made in the world of processors, they still have one major limitation – an individual processor core can only execute one instruction at a time. Let’s say, for example, that you have MS Office, Firefox and Skype all open at once. You feel like you’re multi-tasking, but in processor terms you’re not. The processor core executing data related to these programs executes one instruction at a time, but because it is so quick you don’t notice any delay.

But there is a delay. That delay is due to how the data from each program is fed to the processor. Each stream of data – or thread- in to the processor must be scheduled and executed by the core individually. Hyper-threading, however, makes it possible for each processor core to schedule and assign resources to two threads at once.

Imagine a worker on an assembly line. There two types of widgets coming to her, and she needs to do different things with each widget. However, sometimes there is a delay because the conveyor belt is too slow, or because the wrong widget was sent at the wrong time. Hyper-Threading is like adding another conveyor belt so there is now one dedicated to each type of widget. There is still only one worker, but now widgets can be brought to her more quickly and efficiently so she is waiting for work less often.

Not The Same As Doubling Cores

If you boot up a dual-core processor with Hyper-Threading and open Windows Task Manager you will find yourself staring at four graphs. This is where most of the confusion about Hyper-Threading doubling the number of cores come into play. I’ve even spoken with one poor fellow who thought he’d purchased a eight-core processor because he saw eight graphs in Windows Task Manager. That’s what the sales rep told him, so when he went home and saw eight graphs, he was hooked. Seeing was believing.

Two graphs appear in Windows for each core on a Hyper-Threading processor because Windows is detecting two logical processors for each core. The term “logical processor” sounds fancy, but a logical processor is by definition a processor that has no physical existence. Windows can send threads to each logical processor, but there is still just one core doing the actual execution, so a single core with Hyper-Threading is dramatically different from two seperate physical cores.

The Benefit Of Hyper-Threading

Alright, enough with the technical mumbo-jumbo. Now let’s get down to the most important part – how Hyper-Threading will impact the performance of the computer are thinking of building or buying.

In terms of day-to-day tasks like web browsing, email and word processing, Hyper-Threading won’t have much of an impact. Yes, Hyper-Threading is theoritically better at multi-tasking. However, today’s processors are so fast that basic programs are rarely limited by the speed of your processor. The way programs are coded can also be a limitation. You may sometimes find that you have numerous programs open, but only one of your processor cores is being put to much use. That’s because the programs are, for whatever reason, not having their work divided among the different cores available.

When you’re trying to do some heavy lifting, however, Hyper-Threading can be more helpful. The applications most likely to benefit are 3D rendering programs, heavy-duty audio/video transcoding apps, and scientific applications built for maximum multi-threaded performance. But you may also enjoy a performance boost when encoding audio files in iTunes, playing 3D games and zipping/unzipping folders. The boost in performance can be up to 30%, although there will also be situations where Hyper-Threading provides no boost at all.

Conclusion

As the performance boost figure of only up to 30% indicates, Hyper-Threading is not the same as doubling the number of cores on a processor. If a sales rep ever tells you that, be careful, because they’re either ignorant or happy to lie to you if they think it will help push hardware.

With that said, Hyper-Threading is a cool feature, and it’s worth having. It’s particularly good if you like to edit media often or you use your computer as a workstation for professional programs like Photoshop or Maya.

Latest cool hardware devices in the market

2012-03-27T09:52:00.000-07:00

Input Devices :

Overview

Input devices are essentially all the peripherals that controls the data and sends information to an information processing system. It performs the task of transferring the data from one device to the other and are connected to a computer or any computational device in most of the cases. The scope of input device hardware is not limited to one's house but today shopping malls and even small retail shops have various input devices to assist them in calculations and convenience in collecting information. The markets have been flooded with variety of options from world's leadingcomputer hardware manufacturers and almost everyday a new technology is launched in the market. Some of the recently launched products are discussed below.

Crayola – Living up to its name is the Crayola keyboard that will give your dull mood a swing. For all those who are bored with using their dull keyboards switch to this colorful version of keyboard that not only is attractive but will make your children's experience on computer, more fun. This is the latest one from the computer hardware industry.

Logitech Cordless Mouse – Enjoy highest level of comfort while doing the most tedious job on your computer, while working on the Logitech Wireless Desktop Wave Pro keyboard-and-mouse combination, giving a unique feel to your computer hardware.

Ultimate Gaming Mouse – Avtar has launched a gaming mouse that has unique features to make computer games much more interesting and easy to play. The optical sensors provide maximum sensitivity and responsiveness which yields unparalleled gaming accuracy 7 programmable keys allows gamers to customize their configuration. The Ambidextrous design gives full use to both right and left handed gamers and it can be easily plug into a USB port.

USBee Flash Memory – Having and elastic neck, a clever ventilation system to prevent it from heating up and a unique look is the USP of this USBee flash memory drive.

Socket Compact Flash Scan Card 5M Bar code scanner – This product has the capacity to turn your pocket PC to an advanced mobile bar code reader. Introduced in the input hardware market by Socket, this device has a new level of convenience and portability to mobile data collection by combining Socket's Mobility Friendly Compact Flash technology with a revolutionary laser scanner from Symbol Technologies.

Speed Pad Gaming Mouse 3- a new device in the game controller segment has been launched by Belkin. However, it has been launched only for specific action packed games like MMORPGs, FPS and RTS and World of Warcraft.

Lipstick 1GB USB Pen Drive – This lipstick shaped USB port has been designed especially for girls who can disguise this USB drive in their purses. The Lipstick Drive can store and transfer your pictures, music, video and data to another computer with a USB port and is fully compatible with all USB connectors.

Launch X431 Scanner (LX-A106) – This is a milestone product in the input hardware market. This new generation tool is a perfect amalgamation between automotive electronic technology and information networking. Adopting diagnostic technology, it has PDA functions apart from reading trouble code, data stream and actuation test, sensor waveform and digital code control.

The computer hardware industry has grown leaps and bound in the past decade. Different types of 2D and 3D input devices has helped the scientific community spread its horizon in the consumer market. Effective cost and efficient service is all that lures the consumers to buy these input devices. For Wholesale Input Device Manufacturers & Suppliers Sources & Resources....

Low cost tablet to occupy 60% of market by 2016

2012-03-27T09:47:00.001-07:00

The media tablet segment has evolved as a dynamic landscape since its inception about three years ago, evidenced by the fact that there are currently more than 220 models in the market. While the Apple iPad remains the market leader in the media tablet segment, the buzz created by iPad has paved the way for more and more vendors to join the race, especially in the lower price segment.

The market for sub-$400 media tablets is expected to see significant growth over the next five years, occupying more than 60% of the market share by 2016, while the market for the over $400 segment is expected to shrink.

According to Jeff Orr, group director, consumer research, “The majority of new entrant media tablet models have been in the sub-$400 segment that focuses on growth markets like India and China. The strong wave of growth in this segment over the next few years is expected to be driven by the adoption in emerging markets.”

Wide aspect display media tablets (nine inches and above) are still favored in the market and accounted for more than 75% of the total media tablet volume in 2011, which is mostly attributed to the Apple iPad 2. However, the trend in coming years is expected to be inclined toward display sizes between seven and nine inches as smaller-sized media tablets provide better portability options for end-users.

No longer considered the unprivileged elder cousin of media tablets, eReaders are also on an accelerated growth track, with more than 30 models currently available by major vendors. 2011 has seen a healthy 33% growth in the eReader market and the market for total shipments is projected to grow over 20% in 2012. “Availability of competing models increases options for consumers and will help to boost eReader adoption,” says research analyst Aishwarya Singh. “However, the slower pace of digitization of local content will be the key market inhibitor for adoption of eBook Readers, as well as media tablets, in the emerging markets.”

According to IDC figures quoted previously in the media, the worldwide shipments for tablets are expected to cross the 100-million mark in 2012. In the fourth quarter of 2011, Apple alone sold over 15 million iPads

First tablet with native INDIAN Languages

2012-03-27T09:41:00.001-07:00

Wishtel has announced the launch of the world’s first tablet computer to feature support for native Indian languages. Designed and manufactured in India, Wishtel IRA and IRA Thing, as the tabs are branded, have been tailored to meet the specific needs of the Indian user and combine advanced multimedia, connectivity, and computing capabilities with a rich feature set in a sleek, light, yet highly durable device, claims a press release.

The devices are powered by VIA WonderMedia PRIZM WM8650 ARM SoC (System-on-a-Chip).

Milind Shah, CEO, Wishtel, said, “This launch is the first step in our long term vision of bringing people closer to technology by creating gadgets that truly touch their lives. By enabling support for Indian languages, we are providing the opportunity for hundreds of millions of Indians to join the tablet revolution that is sweeping the globe today. We also hope to reach out to those brilliant minds in India that are inhibited for the lack of proper resources.”

“With the introduction of the IRA and IRA Thing, Wishtel is leading the way in driving tablet innovation in India,” commented Richard Brown, VP, International Marketing, VIA Technologies, Inc. “The potential for these devices is breathtaking, particularly in areas such as education.”

The tablets also come with a rich set of personal productivity, social media, communications, and entertainment apps, making them ideal solutions for a wide variety of home, educational, and corporate uses. These include an innovative eBook reader app that will allow users to enjoy eBooks in Hindi and other Indian languages on their device, as well as a growing range of course content for ICSE, CBSE and state boards plus engineering, medical, and other higher education offerings.

The tablets are available nation-wide at prices between INR 4,000 to INR 5,500 through over 350 distribution and support centers.

The main features include:

- High-resolution 7” capacitive and resistive touch screens
- VIA WonderMedia PRIZM WM8650 ARM SoC
- 720p HD video support
- 802.11b/g WiFi
- 3G WCDMA EVDO USB dongle support
- UBS 2.0 port
- External microphone, 3.5mm earphone, internal stereo speakers
- Built-in camera
- Up to four hours battery life
- Google Android 2.2

This is going to be the first tablet with all major indian languages.

Please give your comments and review about the tablet in the comments section

The best Pre-Built PC - Cyberpower The Black Pearl

2012-03-27T04:56:00.000-07:00

I am wondering that what would be the best pre built pc n todays market. Then I have done a lot of researches then I found that it was The BLACK PEARL from cyberpower pc. It is one of the best pc availabe in the market.

The Specifications are

Case :Coolermaster HAF-X Gaming Full Tower Case

CPU :Intel® Core™ i7-3820 Quad-Core 3.60 GHz

Cooling Fan : Asetek 510LC Liquid Cooling System

Motherboard :ASRock X79 Extreme 4 Intel X79 Chipset

Memory : 8GB (2GBx4) DDR3/1600MHz Quad Channel Memory

Video Card : AMD Radeon HD 7970 1GB 16X PCIe

Power Supply Upgrade : 800 Watts - Standard Power Supply

Hard Drive : 1TB SATA-III 6.0Gb/s 32MB Cache 7200RPM HDD

Optical Drive : 24X Double Layer Dual Format DVD+-R/+-RW + CD-R/RW

Sound : HIGH DEFINITION ON-BOARD 7.1 AUDIO

Network : Onboard Gigabit LAN Network

Keyboard : Xtreme Gear Multimedia/Internet USB Keyboard

Mouse : XtremeGear Optical USB 3 Buttons Gaming Mouse

Flash Media Reader/Writer : INTERNAL 12in1 Flash Media Reader/Writer

Internal USB Port : Built-in USB 2.0 Ports

Operating System : Microsoft® Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit Edition)

The cost of this pc will be around Rs.75000 that is 1500 dollars. This Pc will be delivered only in US and CANADA. So we the people in INDIA have to build the PC on our own.This PC definitely provides high end gaming for all games and it can also play games.

Title of your content This would be a description of the content your users are sharing Note: This Gaming rig is only for gamers, this is perfectly made for the hardcore gamers.

My PC Configuration

2012-03-27T03:50:00.001-07:00

Well this is new pc configuration.This pc is not a perfect gaming pc.The main purpose I got this pc is that I have no pc in my home. The cost of this PC is around 30000 Rs. (600 $)

The config is

Motherboard -   Intel DH55TC

Processor   -   Intel i3 540

RAM   -   Dynet 2GB*2

Graphics Card -   XFX Radeon HD 6770

Cabinet -   ATX mid Tower gaming case

PSU   -   Hunt-Key 550 Watt

Speakers   -   Creative Inspire 5.1 Speaker

Monitor -   Acer HQ [1366*768]

UPS   -   Zebronics UPS

If you have any idea about upgrading my pc give me some suggestions in the comments section

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Intel core i7 3960x review

2012-03-27T03:39:00.000-07:00

PLUS
Excellent all-around performance. Unlocked multiplier for simplified overclocking. Supports dual PCIe x16 video cards at full speed. Includes full range of Sandy Bridge features. Low power usage.

MINUS
Very expensive. Requires new motherboard, purchase of separate CPU cooler. No integrated video, Quick Sync technology. Performance within line of sight of top-end Sandy Bridge chips.

Introduction

Intel has a long history of releasing the fastest processors on Earth, and it's continuing that tradition with the Intel Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition. Rather than the next stage of the company's much-touted "tick-tock" development model, which alternates new production processes with new microarchitectures every year, this CPU is merely the enthusiast extension of Intel's most recent "tock": its "second-generation Core" (aka "Sandy Bridge") family. Until now, the chips in that line, like the Intel Core i3-2300, Intel Core i5-2500K, and Intel Core i7-2600K, were aimed at mainstream users. With its blistering performance and faint-worthy price ($990 list), the Core i7-3960X is targeted higher, at truly hard-core gamers and bleeding-edge types. Those who consider themselves members of those clubs will want this first chip in the Sandy Bridge–E (for "Extreme," of course) family, and want it soon, and in many ways it's worthy of their lust. But those who can't afford—or don't want to spend—that much money have some reasons to not fret.

Features

The best way to think about the Core i7-3960X and the other members of the Sandy Bridge–E family is as a fusing of Intel's last two milestone releases. It combines the six cores of the company's "Gulftown" 32nm Nehalem-based enthusiast processors, such as the Intel Core i7-980X, Intel Core i7-970, and Intel Core i7-990X, with the microarchitecture and microarchitecture of the Sandy Bridge chips, thus uniting the former's scorching performance profile with the sense-and-sensibility capabilities of the latter.

This means, for example, that when Intel's Hyper-Threading technology is fully engaged, you have 12 processing threads at your disposal; given that the Core i7-3960X's base clock is 3.3GHz, you're looking at some serious performance just from that. Toss in version 2.0 of Intel's Turbo Boost technology from Sandy Bridge, which provides a speed supercharge whenever you're not maxing out your core usage, and you have a quick entrée to 3.9GHz—no overclocking required. (Though because the multiplier on the Core i7-3960X is unlocked, actual overclocking won't be much of a problem.)

But there are some crucial differences between Sandy Bridge and Sandy Bridge–E as well. Heading up the list of things you don't get on the Core i7-3960X that you did on Sandy Bridge models is built-in video processing. This isn't that much of a surprise; Intel has a habit of leaving it off its high-end chips, undoubtedly assuming—quite correctly, we'd wager—that anyone able and willing to drop a grand on a processor will also have the resources and wherewithal to spring for a discrete video card. One big downside to this is that you automatically lose access to one of the best Sandy Bridge features: Quick Sync Video, which drastically reduces the amount of time you need to spend converting certain video files. Something else even more surprising is missing: Intel has applied that same graphics logic to the CPU cooler and is not bundling one, even a simple air model, with its Sandy Bridge–E chips. This is hardly the end of the world—basic coolers are not expensive—but it's an odd step to take.

Perfect gaming CPU

As for the things you do get, they're pretty compelling. Chief among them, and likely of paramount interest to gamers, is 40 full lanes of PCI Express (PCIe): That means you can install two discrete PCIe x16 cards in either an SLI or a CrossFireX configuration and have them both running at top speed. That alone will seal the deal for some people. Then there's the native support for 1,600MHz memory, over four channels rather than the three we saw on Intel's previous top-tier X58 Express platform or the two that remain in use for regular Sandy Bridge hardware.

In order to take advantage of that technology, then, you'll need to buy either four or eight DIMMs—an inconvenience, and not necessarily an inconsiderable expense, but picking up two two-DIMM kits is a lot easier than picking and choosing to get the three DIMMs you wanted for X58. Speaking of which, you'll need to buy something else, as well: a new motherboard. As is typical for Intel, the Core i7-3960X and other new Sandy Bridge–E CPUs run on the new X79 Express chipset, and require a motherboard that supports it and is equipped with the necessary new LGA2011 socket. The need for this is apparent, as the Sandy Bridge design moves most functionality onto the CPU itself, and that requires a more robust foundation. But it still demands a major cash outlay.

Benchmarks and Performance

The question is: Is the Core i7-3960X worth it? On one level, the answer is a resounding yes. Across the board, in every test we could throw at it, the processor walked away the champ. Our simple test system, which mated the chip with 8GB of 1,600MHz memory on an Intel motherboard, finished our Photoshop CS5 image manipulation test in a blazing 2 minutes 47 seconds. It converted a video in Handbrake astonishingly quickly: 1 minute 5 seconds. It blasted through our TrueCrypt benchmark at a rate of 302MBps. It drove the Futuremark 3DMark 11 to confident success by earning 36.5 frames per second (fps) in its daunting physics test. It proved to excel at both single- and multithreaded performance, by garnering superb scores of 1.57 and 10.56 respectively in our two CineBench R11.5 tests.

We weren't surprised that the Core i7-3960X roundly surpassed the Core i7-990X in our tests. But the spoilers proved to be the other Sandy Bridge chips, particularly the Core i5-2500K (far and away the value leader) and the Core i7-2600K (the performance leader). In CineBench, the Core i5-2500K earned 1.49 and the Core i7-2600K 1.54 on the single-threaded test—just the tiniest bit behind the Core i7-3960X. The Core i7-2600K was a reasonable seven seconds behind the Core i7-3960X in Photoshop (2:54) and just a stone's throw in its wake on our Futuremark PCMark 7 full-system benchmark (3,649 versus 3,708). In Handbrake, with Quick Sync Video disabled (because we were using a discrete video card, the AMD Radeon HD 6990), the Core i7-2600K managed a still-reasonable 1 minute 11 seconds.

Power Consumption

The Core i7-3960X's gaming performance and features will big pluses to many users, but this chip's power usage shocked us. Idling at its stock clock it used only 99.2 watts—less than the Core i7-2600K (104 watts)—and at full load it only surpassed the Core i7-2600K by a reasonable amount (216.7 watts versus 183.5 watts)—still coming in below its six-core forbears the Core i7-980X (222.6 watts), the Core i7-970 (229 watts), and the Core i7-990X (233.2 watts).

Conclusion

There's no doubt about it: The Intel Core i7-3960X is a formidable chip, even if it requires setting up a new motherboard and stocking it with four DIMMs of DDR3 to make the most of it, and buying a separate cooler just so you can turn the thing on. Gamers and ravenous users of multithreaded apps will definitely get their money's worth, and because Intel is smartly aiming the Core i7-3960X at them, this new flagship CPU is certainly a worthy Editors' Choice. Though we'll be interested in how other Sandy Bridge–E processors fare (the six-core Core i7-3930K and the quad-core Core i7-3820 are in the works, but we haven't seen them yet), the Core i5-2500K and the Core i7-2600K hold their own extremely well—and sell for just a fraction of a cost. If you've already built a system around one of these that you're happy with, and you're not starving for all the additional bells and whistles, there's no reason not to feel good about what you have. But if you absolutely must have the speediest chip on the planet, that crown has now passed to the Core i7-3960X.
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Intel core i7 3930k review

2012-03-27T03:15:00.000-07:00

PLUS
Outstanding all-around performance compared to Intel?s most powerful chip. Unlocked multiplier for easier overclocking.

MINUS
Expensive. Requires X79 Express motherboard, video card, cooler.

Introduction

When advising people on buying most performance-oriented components, we usually recommend taking a single step back from the top of the line: There’s frequently a bigger difference in price than in capability between the bleeding edge and the next best. That’s unquestionably the case with the Intel Core i7-3930K (Best Deal: $599.99 at Newegg.com), the second most powerful CPU in Intel’s Sandy Bridge–Extreme line. No, it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles and shoot-the-moon speed characteristics of the line’s flagship model, the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition . But coming in at almost half the price ($583 list versus $999 list), it will prove for all but the most hard-core die-hards to be The Chip You Want if you’re committed to Intel’s knock-'em-dead X79 Express platform.

Features

Even on paper, the differences between the two CPUs look ridiculously slight. The Core i7-3930K has 12MB of cache to the faster chip’s 15MB, and a clock rate of 3.2GHz instead of 3.3GHz that can rise to a maximum of 3.8GHz instead of 3.9GHz when Turbo Boost is enabled. But that’s about it. Both chips use Intel’s 32nm production process, both have six CPU cores that can manage up to 12 processing threads at a time thanks to Hyper-Threading, and both have TDPs of 130 watts. This chip, like the Core i7-3960X, requires an X79 Express motherboard with an LGA2011 socket; a discrete video card, as the chip sports no integrated graphics system (despite its use of the Sandy Bridge microarchitecture, which provided one on the Core i7-2600K (Best Deal: $319.88 at JR.com) and Core i5-2500K) (Best Deal: $217.88 at JR.com); and a separate cooler, as Intel does not bundle one with any CPU in this line.
Most enthusiasts will consider these small prices to pay—and paying them will be a pleasure given how much you save over the Core i7-3960X for what amounts to nearly equivalent performance. We saw with the non-Extreme Sandy Bridge Core i5-2500K last generation that you can still draw remarkable performance from a next-in-line chip, and our benchmark tests show that Intel has continued that welcome tradition here.

Benchmarks

As evaluated on a test system using an Asus P9X79 Deluxe (Best Deal: $359.99 at Amazon.com)motherboard, the Core i7-3930K applied a dozen filters and effects to an image in Adobe Photoshop CS5 (Best Deal: $485.00 at Little Soft Shop) in 2 minutes 53 seconds, as opposed to the Core i7-3960X’s 2 minutes 48 seconds. Video conversion using the open-source program Handbrake took 1 minute 8 seconds, whereas on the Core i7-3960X it was only two seconds faster. In the CineBench R11.5 rendering task, the slower chip’s scores (10.17 for multiple cores, 1.53 for a single core) were just a hair behind those of the faster one (10.48 and 1.57, respectively). The Core i7-3930K’s results on the Futuremark 3DMark 11 physics test (10,958 and a frame rate of 34.78 frames per second, or fps) were barely behind those of the Core i7-3960X (11,509 and 36.54fps). On the full-system Futuremark PCMark 7 benchmark, the scores followed exactly the same pattern: The overall score was 3,643 versus 3,594, with the individual tests similarly matched.

Power Consumption

Our tests calibrated for more component-level performance, AIDA64, SiSoftware Sandra 2012, and Geekbench 2.2, proved just as conclusive: There is almost no performance differential between the Core i7-3930K and the Core i7-3960X that most users will find significant enough to be worth the extra $416 or so it will cost to get them. You should note, however, that you also won’t save a significant amount on energy usage: In our measurements conducted with an Extech Datalogger, the Core i7-3930K’s 122.5-watt draw at idle and 233.7-watt draw under full load was not far removed from Core i7-3960X’s respective 124.1-watt and 243.2-watt draws. But if you’re building a system using either of these CPUs (and the likely video cards and other hardware they’ll require), your energy bill is probably not the first thing on your mind.

Conclusion

We’re hard pressed to come up with too many negatives about the Intel Core i7-3930K: It’s a gorgeously balanced CPU that will net you a super-fast computer without sending you on a super-fast trip to the poorhouse, too, and that makes it easily worth an Editors’ Choice award in our book. Those who simply cannot settle for anything less than the maximum allowable CPU speed will, of course, prefer the Core i7-3960X, and find those few additional drops of performance worth the money. But everyone else is probably better off with the Core i7-3930K: Whether or not you see fit to overclock it (and if you do, the unlocked multiplier guarantees that you won’t have any trouble pushing it past the Core i7-3960X’s base speed), it’s an amazing processor at an amazing price.
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Intel Core i7 3820 review

2012-03-27T03:03:00.000-07:00

PLUS
Very good performance, particularly on single-threaded applications.

MINUS
Inconsistent compared with other high-end Intel chips. Partially unlocked multiplier limits overclocking potential. Requires X79 Express motherboard, video card, cooler.

Introduction

When you’re building your own computer, the first thing to decide is: How much of an enthusiast do you want to be? If you have the desire and the money, you can go for an all-out bleeding-edge system; if not, there are usually more reasonable options. Well, the Intel Core i7-3820 CPU is certainly reasonable by the standards of the company’s Sandy Bridge–Extreme line: Priced at $294 list, it’s noticeably less expensive than either the top-tier Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition ($999 list) or the nipping-at-its-heels Core i7-3930K ($583 list). With the Core i7-3820 you’ll still get a fine chip for your money, but you’ll have to sacrifice the eye-popping performance and features of the pricier chips to get it. If you’re okay with that, you’ll be okay with this CPU.

Features

The Core i7-3820’s differences are apparent just from its specs. In several ways it is much the same as its bigger brothers: It’s based on the same 32nm production process, it has the same 130-watt TDP, and it will require you to also have an X79 Express motherboard (with the LGA2011 socket), a discrete video card (there’s no integrated graphics system on the chip), and a separate CPU cooler (Intel doesn’t bundle one with any CPU in this line). But there the similarities end. The Core i7-3820 has only four processing cores rather than six and thus can handle only eight threads rather than 12. (Though, of course, you’ll most readily notice that deficit if you work regularly with highly threaded applications.) The Core i7-3820 has less cache, too (10MB, versus 12MB for the Core i7-3930K and 15MB for the Core i7-3960X), but it compensates with a clock speed of 3.6GHz that puts it at the front of the Sandy Bridge–Extreme line by that particular metric (the Core i7-3930K’s is 3.2GHz, the Core i7-3960X’s is 3.3GHz). The Core i7-3820’s clocks can rise up to 3.9GHz when Turbo Boost is active; that’s the same rate as the Core i7-3960X (and higher than the Core i7-3930K’s 3.8GHz).

Overclocking

Another variation from the other designs is what hurts the Core i7-3820’s street cred more. Whereas the other two chips have fully unlocked Turbo mode multipliers, this chip’s is only partially unlocked, which means it can be increased by a maximum of four speed bins over the stock clock rate—thus topping out at 4.3GHz. Because Sandy Bridge–Extreme chips provide additional flexibility in terms of adjusting the base clock (with 125MHz, 166MHz, and 250MHz straps), you can push the chip’s overall clock speed further than that. But still, if overclocking is your thing, expect that roadblock to be a bit frustrating.

Benchmarks

All this is not to say, however, that you don’t get good performance with the Core i7-3820—you do. For example, when installed in a test system loaded with an Asus P9X79 Deluxe motherboard, it completed our Adobe Photoshop CS5 test in 2 minutes 55 seconds, just 2 seconds behind the Core i7-3930K and 7 seconds behind the Core i7-3960X. But you get (expectedly) bigger gaps elsewhere: In CineBench R11.5, the Core i7-3820 scored 7.07 with multiple cores activated, compared with 10.17 for the Core i7-3930K and 10.48 for the Core i7-3960X. On the Futuremark 3DMark 11 physics test, the Core i7-3820 dropped just below our threshold for smooth pliability, with a score of 8,679 and 27.6 frames per second (or fps) compared with 10,958 and 34.78fps for the Core i7-3930K and 11,509 and 36.54fps for the Core i7-3960X.

Comparison

There are a couple of additional characteristics worth mentioning about the Core i7-3820’s performance. First, it easily beats out not only other high-end chips from AMD like the FX-8150 and the Phenom II X6 1100T, but in many cases the most powerful model from Intel’s previous generations, the Core i7-990X—a nice accomplishment that shows how quickly “fast” filters downward. The Core i7-3820’s gains are considerably less significant against the regular Sandy Bridge–based Core i7-2600K, and its follow-up the Core i7-2700K, both of which are only slightly more expensive. But compared with the Core i7-3830K, you won’t see much of a difference in single-threaded applications: Both chips scored the same (1.53) in the CineBench R11.5 single-core test, showing where you can save money if you don’t heavily depend on highly threaded programs.

Power Consumption

A nice dip also occurs in power usage: As measured with an Extech Datalogger, the Core i7-3820 pulled 121 watts while idle and 197.3 watts under full load, whereas the Core i7-3930K had a draw of 122.5 watts at idle and 233.7 watts at full load. This may not make a huge difference, but depending on your usage pattern could add up over the life of the chip.

Conclusion

We still think that if you’re going to go all out on a Sandy Bridge–Extreme CPU, the best choice is the Editors’ Choice Intel Core i7-3930K: It may cost nearly $600, but it’s a terrific performer that only slightly lags behind the Core i7-3960X. But if you can’t afford that, and if you don’t already have a Core i7-2600K– or Core i7-2700K–based system that will for all intents and purposes be just as good, the Intel Core i7-3820 is still a compelling compromise. You’ll just need to be sure you can live without the bells and whistles the more expensive chips offer.

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BestHigh end gaming pc That can be built

2012-03-26T10:08:00.000-07:00

Previously we have made a computer worth of rs.50000 (~1000 $). Now we are going to make a computer for rs.50000. For this money we can build a good mid-high range gaming PC which are able to play today’s games pretty well. So these computers are also very good at multitasking. The processor which I have a chosen is a pretty good that is unlocked. This processor can be over clocked to become the best quad core cpu in the world.

The peripherals are

Processor: Intel i7 3960x

Motherboard: Asus Rampage IV

Graphics Card: Radeon HD 7970

RAM: GSkill Ripjaws 4GB*4 1600MHz

PSU: Cooler Master 750 watt PSU

Hard Disk: Western Cavier 1 TB

SSD: OCZ 120GB*1

DVD Drive: Samsung Blue ray 8x writer

Cabinet : Cooler Master 690 II

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Gaming PC Build for Rs.50000 - 70000

2012-03-26T09:43:00.001-07:00

Previously we have made a computer worth of rs.30000 (~600 $). Now we are going to make a computer for rs.50000. For this money we can build a good mid-high range gaming PC which are able to play today’s games pretty well. So these computers are also very good at multitasking. The processor which I have a chosen is a pretty good that is unlocked. This processor can be over clocked to become the best quad core cpu in the world.

The peripherals are

CPU - Intel i5 2500 @ 3.3ghz - rs 12100

Motherboard - asus P8H67-M-LE b3 revision - rs 6500

RAM - corsair 4gb x 2 ddr3 @ 1333mhz - rs 2400

Graphics card - sapphire radeon hd6850 1gb ddr5 - rs 9400

Hard disk - western digital caviar blue 500gb @ 7200 rpm - rs 4400

DVD writer - asus - rs 1100

PSU/SMBS - corsair cx500 v2 - rs 3200 or

- seasonic s12 ii 520 - rs 3750

Cabinet -zebronics bijli - rs 1600

Monitor - benq G2220HD 22" lcd (1920 x 1080 ) - rs 6950

Keyboard - Logitech combo - rs 650

UPS - intex 600va - rs 1200

total –Rs. 49500 ~ Rs. 50050 (no speakers)

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Best Gaming PC under Rs.30000 ($600)

2012-03-26T09:12:00.000-07:00

First of all this is my first post. I am Naveen Raj I live in Chennai. I know that many people are interested in building their own pc. Now the pc under 30000 rs is not for hardcore gamers. This is just a computer for casual gamers this is not a high end gaming pc or it’s a lower mid range gaming pc.

Processor: AMD phenom II X4 945 - Rs. 9500

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA785 –G AMD socket am3 - Rs.5000

RAM: Transcend (2 GB * 2) 1333 MHz - Rs.3800

Hard Disk: Seagate 500GB SATA 3 Hard disk – Rs.4000

DVD Drive: Samsung 22x DVD Writer Dual Layer 8.5 GB Rs.1100

Graphics Card: AMD Radeon 6670 Rs.6500

Power Supply: Buy any Power supply for Rs.2000

With this computer you can play some games with low graphics. And this computer is for normal PC users and good for some old games before 2011

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