Intel Core i7-3820 socket: LGA 2011

What the Core i7-3820 is

Intel Core i7-3820 is a quad core Sandy Bridge-E desktop processor that Intel released in February 2012 for the LGA 2011 high end platform. It runs at 3.6 GHz base with turbo to 3.8 GHz, with 10 MB Intel Smart Cache and Hyper-Threading for 8 threads. Power is rated at 130 W on a 32 nm process. Four memory channels and 40 PCIe lanes separate it from mainstream LGA 1155 quads.

No integrated graphics are present, so every build needs a discrete card. The chip takes DDR3 at 1066, 1333 or 1600 MT/s across four channels for up to 64 GB, which suits threaded creation work with large data sets. The multiplier is partially unlocked with a limited range above stock, unlike full Extreme parts.

High base clocks with quad channel memory made it a workstation light choice on X79 boards. Towers pair it with 16 GB to 32 GB of DDR3 and a discrete GPU. The How to find your CPU socket type guide helps confirm the large LGA 2011 socket before ordering.

Socket and motherboard compatibility

The Core i7-3820 fits LGA 2011 in FCLGA2011 form. The natural match is the X79 enthusiast chipset, which Intel lists for both Sandy Bridge-E and Ivy Bridge-E. Server chipsets for LGA 2011 expect Xeon parts instead, so desktop X79 boards are the target.

Power at 130 W needs an X79 board with solid delivery and a tower cooler. A discrete card is mandatory on every board. The Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works guide covers the HEDT split from mainstream sockets.

Memory, PCIe and cooling

Memory support is DDR3-1066 to 1600, four channels, up to 64 GB. Four matched DIMMs give the rated quad channel bandwidth, and eight DIMM boards allow large populations. ECC is a board feature for Xeon builds, not for this client SKU.

PCI Express is 40 lanes from the CPU at PCIe 2.0 per ARK. X79 boards split lanes for multi GPU and fast storage without the lane starvation of mainstream 16 lane sockets. A high end 2012 card matches the fast quad well.

Cooling follows the 130 W HEDT pattern with a large tower or closed loop. Stock clocks already need strong airflow, and the partial unlock adds heat quickly. The LGA 2011 mount differs from mainstream LGA, so brackets must list 2011 support.

Upgrade paths

On LGA 2011 the Core i7-3820 can move to six core Sandy Bridge-E or Ivy Bridge-E parts on the same X79 board, where the BIOS lists them. Memory, storage and the graphics card carry over. A six core Extreme comparison is Intel Core i7-3970X on the same socket.

A platform move to newer HEDT or mainstream DDR4 boards needs a new board, new RAM and a new mount. Keep the 3820 tower for threaded work where quad channel memory still helps.