Question 1

What is the maximum RAM speed supported?

Accepted Answer

The maximum specified speed by Intel is 1866. You can run faster when OCed, but it will depend on too many factors not limited to your motherboard, memory, memory quantity, voltages, etc -- and blind luck.

You could buy two identical memory kits and not have them work together at the same speed, but do fine individually, or one work while the other is unstable.

I myself am running 64GB of Corsair Dominator Platinum 2133 @ 2133 in an Asus P9X79-E WS. Keep in mind, you will get more performance by overclocking your CPU than bumps in memory speed, especially in larger memory quantities where stability is a major issue.

Question 2

Is the i7 4960X an upgrade from the i7 3960X?

Do any manufacturers install these processors in laptops?

Accepted Answer

It certainly is an upgrade-  if you're trying to to figure out whether it's worth upgrading from the 3960X, well that's another matter.  It most likely isn't.  I upgraded from an overclocked 980X and I have to say that the increase in processing power is minimal.  Sure it's nice to have the latest greatest, but if you currently have a 3960X, I would save the money and wait for the next version in Intel's Extreme lineup.  Hope that helps!

Question 3

Is it unlocked?  If so what are the specs of it overclocked?

Accepted Answer

The core multiplier is unlocked on this processor. The results will vary while overclocking depending on which motherboard that you use as well as what cooler you use, and several other variables. I can easily bump this chip up to 4.7ghz with just a couple of clicks while using a closed loop water cooler. I did take it to 5.1ghz before but I bumped it back down to 4.7ghz because I just wanted to make sure it was stable with the heavy usage that it gets, I have it running at about 80% usage most of the day, every day. Mine could easily go higher than that with all of the cores, but I just haven't messed with it that much as of this time.

Question 4

Would you recommend a custom heat sink for this processor? Or does the one it comes with work just fine?

Accepted Answer

1: Mine didn't come with a heatsink

2: If you can shell out $1000+ for a CPU you best get a nice cooler to accompany it. I recommend the H100i or the H220.

Question 5

Im looking to build a PC monster for gaming intel seems to cost more and amd seems to cost less and offer more cores and higher ghz for less ..... why is intel more expensive and what gives it and edge for amd products? if it has an edge for intel products

Accepted Answer

To say that AMD offer more cores is not quite accurate.  My understanding of the architecture is that AMD cores are not full cores.  I think that a more accurate comparison would be to compare cores and hyperthreads on an Intel chip to the cores on an AMD.  
Higher GHz clocks does not translate over to higher application speeds directly when comparing different chip architectures.  You would be better off getting comparisons of comparably priced Intel and AMD systems running the same application.  Check with Tom's Hardware, Hardocp, and Anand Tech for reviews.
The big difference, in my opinion,  between AMD and Intel systems is that AMD is generally cheaper but, uses more power and creates more heat than Intel does for the same job.  AMD also doesn't change socket designs as much as Intel so it is easier to upgrade your rig in smaller steps, if you start with a lower tier CPU.  I stick to Intel due to personal preference but, I do see AMD as a viable alternative. 
Most games don't utilize all the cores available on CPU's now but, some new ones will, like Star Citizen.  I don't know what games you intend on playing but, you may check to see if the games you are interested in are going to take advantage of multiple cores and hyperthreading.

Question 6

IS this chip set is compatible with an ASUS Rampage IV Black Edition ?

Also if you have a suggestion of a newer and/or better motherboard to pair with this CPU I would be appreciative.

Thank you.

Accepted Answer

Yes, the Intel Core i7 4960X Ivy Bridge-E 6-Core 3.6GHz (Turbo 4GHz) LGA 2011 130W Desktop Processor is an Intel X79 Chipset CPU, and the Asus Rampage IV Black Edition LGA 2011 motherboard is designed specifically for the Intel X79 Chipset, so your Intel i7 4960E CPU will work with this motherboard.  The Asus Rampage IV Black Edition LGA 2011 is a fairly new motherboard and should work well with your CPU, however there are already six BIOS updates out from Asus for the Asus Rampage IV Black Edition LGA 2011 motherboard on the Asus website, so if you use the Asus Rampage IV Black Edition LGA 2011 motherboard be sure that you download and update/flash the motherboard to the latest BIOS (currently: 0801 dated 7/14/14).

You may also want to consider using the EVGA X79 Dark LGA-2011 motherboard with your processor.  The EVGA motherboard is also designed for the X79 Chipset, so it will work with your CPU, plus it has a little better price.  I've used both boards with great success, and have gotten fairly good speeds with each board, however I believe for the money I would recommend the EVGA motherboard.

Best of luck on building your new machine!

Question 7

the socket for the processor is LGA 2011 but its Ivy Bridge-E. does the Z87 and Z97 chipsets support it?

Accepted Answer

I would suggest looking up your Mother Board on the manufacture site and see compatible Processors and/w BIOS revisions.

On that same note: I'm betting it does, just make sure you update your bios to the latest revision.

If I remember right I was running a Z87 and all I did is run the live update for bios update. Turn off the PC, get on my static wrist guard, and swap the Processors. Turned it back on recognized the new processor and all was well.

Question 8

I'm trying to put together a desktop for my daughter who is starting her own home recording studio. I don't want to continually upgrade. So is this overkill for the purpose of a studio or a good choice?

Accepted Answer

In the case of video editing there are many factors to consider. Generally you will want the more processing power you have available the faster and easier it will be to edit your videos, however there are many additional considerations you should make. You will require a considerable amount of RAM as well as a decent GPU. Video editing software is becoming more and more effective at utilize this hardware to assist in processing requirements. This removes some of the strain from your main CPU although it still carries much of the burden. If cost is a concern I would suggest balancing the cost evenly between all these components so that its fits your budget therefore creating an overall more efficient machine. Additionally I would consider the scope of what your daughter is trying to do. A processor like this would be considered professional or enthusiast grade for the purposes of video editing. If this is the case then this product will likely serve your needs perfectly when paired with components of equal quality, and will probably continue to do so for some time. If she is considering this as more of a hobby then something more conservative may fit your needs.

Question 9

is this cpu campatible with the asus maximus VII Hero?

Accepted Answer

No! The i7-4960X is not compatible with the Asus Maximus VII Hero. The Asus Maximus VII Hero motherboard is a Z97 & the 4790X CPU is only compatible with the X79 motherboards.

Question 10

Does this with ( G.SKILL Trident X Series F3-2666C11Q-32GTXD )
knowing that the voltage is 1.65 ?

P.S. my MB is Asus rampage iv black edition

Accepted Answer

you will not have a problem running up to 3000mhz memory on this CPU. Your mainboard will determine the compatibility of the memory. compatibility list from the manufacture is only a guide line and nothing more. Often times that high bandwidth memory will require a little bit of voltage tweaking in order to get stability on any board. go to the board manufactures website and go into their forums on that board and see what they say. You may get better answers if you posted your question on the memory instead of the cpu.

Brand	Intel
Series	Core i7 4th Gen
Name	Core i7-4960X
Model	BX80633i74960X

CPU Socket Type	LGA 2011
Core Name	Ivy Bridge-E
# of Cores	6-Core
Operating Frequency	3.6GHz (Turbo 4GHz)
DMI	5 GT/s
L3 Cache	15MB
Manufacturing Tech	22nm
Instruction Set	64-Bit
Hyper-Threading Support	Yes
Integrated Memory Controller Speed	Four Channel DDR3
Virtualization Technology Support	Yes
Thermal Design Power	130W
Cooling Device	Cooling device not included - Processor Only

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