We’ve already taken a look at two processors in Intel’s Core X-Series, the Core i9-7900X and the Core i7-7740X. Today we are checking out our third processor, which is the Core i7-7820X. This processor is another great entry into the Core X-Series and one that will make sense for a lot of people. It sits right below the Core i9-7900X in Intel’s HEDT product stack and is not a terribly crippled part like the Core i7-7740X. The Core i7-7820X is an 8-core, 16-thread part with a base clock of 3.6 GHz and a boost clock of 4.3 GHz, and with two cores reaching up to 4.5 GHz with the new Turbo Boost 3.0 technology. You have 11 MB of L3 cache, quad-channel DDR4 support, and a TDP of 140W. The big difference between this chip and the Core i9 chips that sits above it is the PCI-Express lanes, which get cut from 44 down to 28. This comes at a more reasonable cost than the Core i9-7900X at only $599. Let’s get this chip in our X299 test bench and see what it is all about.
Special thanks to Intel for providing us with the Core i7-7820X 8-Core Processor to review.
Since the initial launch of the Core X-Series we know have the full specifications of all of the processors in the series.
We’ve gone over much of the architectural details on the Core X series and the X299 chipset in an article we published back when everything was announced. Please be sure to check that out if you need any fine details on anything about these processors or the chipset.
Our processor came directly from Intel, so we do not have a retail box or anything like that. Intel introduced new box designs with their Core X-Series so here is what the Core i7 box looks like.
The Core i7-7820X looks just like the other processors in the X-Series, and it does have the larger heatspreader like the Core i9-7900X.
Flipping the processor over here is a quick shot of the back.
If you are looking to run one of these new Core X-Series processors you will need a new X299 motherboard. Previous LGA2011v3 coolers are compatible with LGA2066 so you shouldn’t have an issue if you are upgrading from an X99 system. We had no issues getting the NZXT Kraken X52 installed on our chip.
So you compare a $599 processor against a Ryzen 1700 without overclock and running Ram at 2133?
Mmm, curious. I wonder what the justification for that could be?
Well one Tim we test processors against all other processors we have on hand, which included the Ryzen 7 1700 and other Intel parts in that price range as well. We do not have any AMD TR parts so we could not test those.
As for the memory, that specific memory kit would not work on our Ryzen system at anything other than 2133 MHz. That is with the latest micro-code update and BIOS update for our motherboard. We troubleshooted the issue for a week but ran into the same result. We have yet to hear back from AMD on the issue.
it is not a direct comparison, the other chips are there to give you an idea of performance across the board. I don’t think someone looking at a $599 chip would be considering a Ryzen 7 1700. We included the $999 i9-7900X in our testing as well and mentioned the ThreadRipper 1900X in the conclusion as an option around the same price.