Intel has finally launched its much anticipated High End Sandy Bridge-E Platform with the release of two new Core i7 Processors. Both Processors, Core i7 3960X and Core i7 3930K are supported by the LGA 2011 Socket motherboards featuring the X79 PCH Chipset.

The Core i7 3960X isavailablefor 1049$ here, This flagship processor of the Sandy Bridge-E platform boasts 6 Cores and 12 Threads, stock clocked at 3.33Ghz and Turbo Boosting upto 3.9Ghz. Other features are a 130W TDP design and 15Mb of L3 Cache while also featuring an Integrated Memory Controller to support Quad Channel DDR3 Interface.

The Core i7 3930K on the other hand is priced at 599$ here, Featuring the same 6 Cores and 12 Threads while clocked at a 100Mhz Lower Stock frequency of 3.2Ghz and Turbo Boost of 3.8Ghz. L3 Cache is lower to 12Mb while the TDP design is the same of 130W.

The Sandy Bridge-E Processors areavailablefor both Professional and Desktop Usage however the performance leap over current LGA 1155 Sandy Bridge processors isn't much great. The Multi Threaded Apps and the Quad Channel memory surely are great features and the extra cores do help to churn out massiveperformanceresults in the multi-threaded tasks, such as digital content creation and processing but using thesemonstrositiesfor Gaming and normal desktop usage is a waste of cash.

The Single Core IPC Performance of the processors is a tad bit slower than Sandy Bridge but faster than the LGA 1366 X58 Platform. The Extra amount of PCI-e lanes would also be useful for users with Multi GPU configurations but for Gaming needs, LGA 1155 is enough.

Overclocking potential is not great at the moment but Intel has said that it would fix and improve in the new C3 stepping which would launch in Q1 2012 along with a new Quad Core Core i7 3820 Processor for Sandy Bridge-E.Additionalcooling is required while overclocking beyond 4.5Ghz. The Stock Cooler is suppliedseparately for a retail price of 20$ while the new Liquid-Cooling System (RTS2011LC) would beavailablearound 85-100$.

Finally, There are also reports that Intel would launch a new Flagship Processors Core i7 3980X in Q3 2012 along with the new D Stepping. Complete set of Sandy Bridge-E processor and Motherboard reviews below:

CPU Reviews:

[H]ard|OCP:Core i7 3960X ReviewLegit ReviewsCore i7 3960X ReviewPC Mag:Core i7 3960 ReviewOverclockers:Core i7 3960X ReviewTom's Hardware:Core i7 3960X Review & X79 Platform OverviewGuru3D:Core i7 3960X + MSI X79A-GD65 ReviewAnandtech:Core i7 3960X ReviewHotHardware:Intel Core i7 3960X ReviewTweakTown:Core i7 3960X ReviewPC Perspective:Core i7 3960X ReviewOverclockers Club:Core i7 3960X ReviewHexus:Core i7 3960X ReviewTechSpot:Core i7 3960X ReviewTechReport:Core i7 3960X ReviewX-bit Labs:Core i7 3960X & 3930K ReviewVortez:Core i7 3960X ReviewOverclock3D:Core i7 3960X ReviewBenchmark Reviews:Core i7 3960X Review

Motherboard Reviews:

PC Perspective:X79 Motherboard PreviewTechReport:X79 Motherboard RoundupBenchmark Reviews:Asus Sabertooth X79 RevieweTeknix:Asus Rampage IV Extreme ReviewOverclock3D:Asus Rampage IV Extreme ReviewTweak Town:Asus Rampage IV Extreme ReviewKitGuru:Asus Rampage IV Extreme ReviewLegit Reviews:Asus P9X79 Pro ReviewAnandtech:Asus P9X79 Pro ReviewKitGuru:Asus P9X79 Deluxe ReviewBenchmark Reviews:Asus P9X79 Deluxe ReviewKitGuru:Gigabyte X79A-UD3 ReviewBenchmark Reviews:Intel DX79SI ReviewVortez:MSI X79A-GD65 Review