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I7-4960X VS I7-3960X Is the 4960x really better than 3960x in terms of OC'ing?

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jblanc03

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I am trying to decide if i should get it or not.

I am only concerned with overclocking ability and stability. I dont really care about Benchmark scores.

I just want maximum overclock on Water and maximum drive to my GPU's

My current I73960X has a problem that i dont want to discuss on this thread because i have reached my breaking point in troubleshooting

It on Asus ROG forum and basically the memory controller or whatever on this processor is no longer working correctly.

So i need to either get it replaced or go with the I74960X

So ive seen some reviews and comparisons with both of these processors and i did see that the i73960x performs slightly better in the overclocking arena.

what are your experiences with both?

I really want 5.0ghz and im not sure if anyone has been able to take the i74960x to that level.
 
Discussion starter · #2 ·
i saw this comparison on the I7-3960X and the I7-4960X

i7-3960X
The number of controllers 1
Memory channels 4
Supported memory DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600

I7-4960X
The number of controllers 1
Memory channels 4
Supported memory DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600, DDR3-1866

I noticed both dont show that they support DDR3-2133

Does this mean that my current RAM Corsair Dominator GT CMT16GX3M4X2133C9 DDR3-2133mhz wont be controlled properly by these processors?
 
#3 ·
The ram is not officially supported, so may need a bump in VTT voltage to get it stable.
Both my 4960x and 3960x can do 2133Mhz. Albeit, at those ram speeds, the maximum CPU overclock can be compromised. Depends on the chip lottery.
My 4960x does 4.5Ghz 1.40v and 3960x 4.8Ghz 1.37v. They bench pretty much identically. 3960x seem to overclock better overall, the chip lottery with 4960x is harder.
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by jasjeet View Post

The ram is not officially supported, so may need a bump in VTT voltage to get it stable.
Both my 4960x and 3960x can do 2133Mhz. Albeit, at those ram speeds, the maximum CPU overclock can be compromised. Depends on the chip lottery.
My 4960x does 4.5Ghz 1.40v and 3960x 4.8Ghz 1.37v. They bench pretty much identically. 3960x seem to overclock better overall, the chip lottery with 4960x is harder.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your advice!

So a bump in VTT volts you say? Is this setting for the RAM or the CPU?
 
#5 ·
No, SandyE is the overclockers choice.

Although I spent last night tweaking my voltages, Ivy-e is still a very nice chip
smile.gif


If you're struggling to get memory stable up VCCSA as this is the IMC voltage. 1.2v should be enough for 16gb.
try VTT @ 1.1 - 1.115

 
#6 ·
My 4960X only does 4.5 at the voltage I am comfortable with. 4.5 GHz 4960X = around 4.7 GHz 3960X. I have both by the way, and when the OC capability runs out of my 4960X at only 4.5 the 3960X just keeps shifting gears towards 5 GHz or more.
biggrin.gif


4.5 GHz 4960X will not hold you back anywhere anyway.
 
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#7 ·
3930K / 3960 is the overclockers champion
smile.gif
I have a feeling HaswellE will be even more disappointing in this regard.

What voltage do you consider to be happy with out of interest? I'd consider 1.4v to be the maximum for 24/7 use. Maybe 1.45-1.5v for short runs if you're on water cooling, but that is definitely considered degrading voltage.
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Silent Scone View Post

No, SandyE is the overclockers choice.

Although I spent last night tweaking my voltages, Ivy-e is still a very nice chip
smile.gif


If you're struggling to get memory stable up VCCSA as this is the IMC voltage. 1.2v should be enough for 16gb.
try VTT @ 1.1 - 1.115

Click to expand...
what about 24GB to 32GB?

Right now im on 24GB but will be adding in 32GB later
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
Thanks Guys!l

I went with the I73960X again!

it solved all my problems

I got it currently at 4.8ghz and 24GB1600mhz memory
with Cstates and SpeedStep Enabled.

Ran OCCT for 2 and 1/2 hours stable

Thanks!

I want to take my memory to their tested clocks which is 2133mhz but im not sure how i should tweak my voltages or where i should tweak for that matter to remain stable.

any ideas?
 
#11 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by jblanc03 View Post

Thanks Guys!l

I went with the I73960X again!

it solved all my problems

I got it currently at 4.8ghz and 24GB1600mhz memory
with Cstates and SpeedStep Enabled.

Ran OCCT for 2 and 1/2 hours stable

Thanks!

I want to take my memory to their tested clocks which is 2133mhz but im not sure how i should tweak my voltages or where i should tweak for that matter to remain stable.

any ideas?
Click to expand...
Er, to to be clear with my voltages I was replying to post above yours! 1.2-1.25v max for 24/7 VCCSA. 1.4V vcore 24/7.
 
#13 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Silent Scone View Post

No, SandyE is the overclockers choice.

Although I spent last night tweaking my voltages, Ivy-e is still a very nice chip
smile.gif


If you're struggling to get memory stable up VCCSA as this is the IMC voltage. 1.2v should be enough for 16gb.
try VTT @ 1.1 - 1.115

Click to expand...
Just another experience: By the chance (without checking!!!) I got some "Kingston" RAM KHX2400C11D3/4GX which require VCCSA 1.35V. Knock- knock on wood looks like working fine up to now (6 months). Take me a while to find proper ratio for VTT and VCCSA. Just my two cents (sometimes cheap RAM is not so cheap
biggrin.gif
)
 
Discussion starter · #14 ·
guys im glad you are all on this forum

I just got an I73960x brand new and overclocked it to 4.8ghz with ram at 1600mhz with speedstep and C states

My RAM's Tested speeds are 2133mhz but i figured i did not need such fast ram since im currently running 24gb

I ran OCCT test for 2hrs straight with no crashes. So i figure its pretty stable.

Been playing games on my pc for almost a month at these settings and just now no lie! i was playing battlefield 3 online and BAM! Crash!!! but not a blue screen no.........just a sudden freeze! my mouse froze and everything just froze. Its the kinda effect that you would get when you would pull out your Game Cartridge from your good old NES or sega genesis consoles. It just freezes there!

I dont know if this is a normal crash that occurs due to overclocking or what.

Anyway i was hoping someone on this forum that has experience with my particular ram and processor. What combination of VTT and VCSSA Do i need to get this ram stable at 2133mhz clock.

i really need help with this guys. I did a full 24hr memtest on my ram and it passed with no errors so i know my ram cant be the culprit.

i used this video and set everything exactly like he does it.

any advice on what i should change to get stability
 
Discussion starter · #15 ·
Maybe if i post again i'll get a reply

guys im glad you are all on this forum

I just got an I73960x brand new and overclocked it to 4.8ghz with ram at 1600mhz with speedstep and C states

My RAM's Tested speeds are 2133mhz but i figured i did not need such fast ram since im currently running 24gb

I ran OCCT test for 2hrs straight with no crashes. So i figure its pretty stable.

Been playing games on my pc for almost a month at these settings and just now no lie! i was playing battlefield 3 online and BAM! Crash!!! but not a blue screen no.........just a sudden freeze! my mouse froze and everything just froze. Its the kinda effect that you would get when you would pull out your Game Cartridge from your good old NES or sega genesis consoles. It just freezes there!

I dont know if this is a normal crash that occurs due to overclocking or what.

Anyway i was hoping someone on this forum that has experience with my particular ram and processor. What combination of VTT and VCSSA Do i need to get this ram stable at 2133mhz clock.

i really need help with this guys. I did a full 24hr memtest on my ram and it passed with no errors so i know my ram cant be the culprit.

i used this video and set everything exactly like he does it.

any advice on what i should change to get stability
 
#17 ·
I don't follow. You said you have been playing with these settings for almost a month but then you said you just got a brand new 3960X? Also you say you have 24 GB RAM, this sounds like you are using only 3 sticks of RAM? I've never heard of 6 GB RAM modules so it must be either tri-channel or actually 32 GB of RAM.

If you swapped your processor, you can't just apply the same settings to your new processor, as every processor is usually a bit different. My old 3960X was barely 4.5 GHz stable but my newer 3960X is easily 4.7+ GHz stable and at lower voltages, there could be a lot of variance between chips. You'll have to list all of your settings and voltages to proceed from here. If you want to rule out the overclock, you'll have to set everything back to stock and do some testing if it happens then.

OCCT 2 hours is not always enough to prove any stability. My own rule of thumb is to run LinX 0.6.5 for 20 loops with max memory and then Prime95 overnight. Nothing less than that to run 24/7. But that's just my method.

Good luck.
thumb.gif
 
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Discussion starter · #18 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by xarot View Post

I don't follow. You said you have been playing with these settings for almost a month but then you said you just got a brand new 3960X? Also you say you have 24 GB RAM, this sounds like you are using only 3 sticks of RAM? I've never heard of 6 GB RAM modules so it must be either tri-channel or actually 32 GB of RAM.

If you swapped your processor, you can't just apply the same settings to your new processor, as every processor is usually a bit different. My old 3960X was barely 4.5 GHz stable but my newer 3960X is easily 4.7+ GHz stable and at lower voltages, there could be a lot of variance between chips. You'll have to list all of your settings and voltages to proceed from here. If you want to rule out the overclock, you'll have to set everything back to stock and do some testing if it happens then.

OCCT 2 hours is not always enough to prove any stability. My own rule of thumb is to run LinX 0.6.5 for 20 loops with max memory and then Prime95 overnight. Nothing less than that to run 24/7. But that's just my method.

Good luck.
thumb.gif
Click to expand...
smart guy, are you listening carefully? you sure>? ....ok here we go...

I have 3 on each side. Corsair Dominator GT 2133mhz memory 4gb each stick. So thats 3 dimms on each side. Remember the Rampage IV extreme is up to Quad Channel.
 
#20 ·
I tried to help you I wasn't trying to be rude at all. Please post your settings and voltages, maybe we can work something out?

Are you still having the problem? I know you can run tri channel too on this board. Is that tri channel RAM? When I bought my first X79 setup I tried using Corsair Dominator GT 1866 RAM from my X58 setup with not much success, constant problems. Those were Elpida Hyper ICs I think and would be stable only at 1333 MHz.

Maybe still worth a shot dropping your OC and working up again. I'd shoot for 4.5 GHz first and remove any OC from graphics cards for now. Then work up the OC on the CPU and then when everything is good OC the video cards again?

I am testing a 3970X myself now which seems to be a doge CPU compared to my 3960X, I haven't had any chance to run Prime95 overnight yet, but it needs a hefty Vcore for only 4.7 GHz and this is on custom water. On the other hand my 3960X runs circles around it with only H100 cooling.
smile.gif
 
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