Intel Core i7-5930K, 6 Cores & 12 Threads Unlocked Desktop Processor without Processor Graphics

I purchased this for my new gaming pc build after going back and forth between this processor and the i7-6700k skylake processor. Ultimately I chose this cpu in hopes that I can use this pc for many years to come. Essentially I chose the X99 platform hoping for a little more "future-proofing", room for expansion, and for the extra PCIe lanes. I only have one gpu currently but plan to run a second in sli soon. I run 2 dedicated game servers, ts3 server, play and stream games, watch videos and surf the web with this machine connected to 4 different monitors and this cpu never even breaks a sweat. I paired this with a closed loop Corsair H110i GTX and it runs stable and cool even overclocked to 4+ GHz it never goes over 45c. I love this cpu and don't regret my choice to spend a little extra to build with this X99 processor/platform over the Z97. It's a total powerhouse on my Sabertooth X99 motherboard. Benchmarks are amazing, but chips may vary based on the manufacturing process. It doesn’t come with a heatsink/cooler combo or onboard graphics, which I wouldn’t use stock for this type of enthusiast build anyway but it’s something to keep in mind.Pros:Powerhouse chip for any overkill buildFast, StableExtremely OverclockableCons:PriceNo onboard graphicsNo Heatsink/Cooler

Edit May 6, 2017Still going strong. I now almost always run this in Windows eco mode, which cuts the processor speed to 1/3rd rated, and it still outperforms my previous CPU when Vivado is running, especially synthesizing. I have some seriously big designs, and it always finishes the synthesis before I expect.No problems with FSX, single monitor and running 30 FPS. I added a utility that offloads a lot of graphics to my VGA, which helps a lot, especially with jitter.Even so, I want to upgrade to the 8 Core SkyLake CPU, and replace my Noctua Heat Sink/Fan with a AIO liquid cooler. The liquid cooler will let me move my VGA to the slot next to the CPU, and, in the process, open up another PCIe slot (which is now hidden by the HSF).Edit Aug 10, 2016Still going strong. I had to rebuild my system, so I put a Seagate 1 TB HDD with internal 32 GB Cache, and a SanDisk 32 GB SSD Cache on the computer. I have yet to really push the CPU's envelope. I'm leaving it on normal mode, so it slows down when the load goes down, for less power consumption. Also, its faster than my i7-980, and uses less power, so it runs cooler. That's important when my wife and I are both working on our computers in our office, and the dog is keeping us company!Edit May 11, 2016I have a lot of system gadgets on my Windows 7 desktop. With them, I can tell if any application slows down because of CPU, disk access, memory access, or internet access. I'm sure I'll be fine running FSX with a single monitor, and I'll be able to tell how close I get to maxing out any of the above devices. There shouldn't be a problem with 1 single monitor for Microsoft FSX; and I'm hoping the same for 3 monitors.Original PostI paid the extra $ for this vs. the 5920 for a couple of reasons. One, the base frequency was 200 MHz faster than the 5920, and more importantly, it has a lot more PCI lanes. I'd heard there was a clearance problem between video cards in slot one, and large HS/F's, so I wanted the full complement of PCI lanes going to slot 2. As far as I can tell, my EVGA 780 Ti Classified with 3 GB RAM has plenty of clearance in slot one with the Noctua NH-D14 on the CPU. I just couldn't justify spending another $500 for two more cores, and having to retire my HS/F for liquid cooling to get the most out of the 5960. I was just looking for a GHz * Core product of 24, and I got it easily with my current build.I have it mounted on an EVGA X99 Classified MB, which allows easy over clocking. I haven't tried to find its limit, but it seems stable at 4 GHz, and temps are about 116 F at that speed.I'll be taking a couple of classes where I'll be designing with FPGAs, and the environment, Vivaldo, does some serious processing, especially when the designs are even slightly complicated. I think this, plus 32 GB SRAM, and a Seagate 7200 RPM 1 TB HDD with 8GB SSD will make the processing go faster than it did on a i7-980 running a 2.67 GHz. FSX should also work better, too.

It's a very fast processor from Intel, 6 cores, 3.5 GHz. However I don't think the average person would benefit from all this horsepower. It's really only a benefit if you are doing some hardcore processing, such as encoding a video or multitasking a LOT of active programs. Unless you are used to running a CPU full throttle regularly, you should probably opt for a less expensive CPU.

I have a EK Supremacy EVO water cooler on this and got it at 1.35V to do 4.3. It does not overclock well if without heavy voltage it seems. I think I'm a fluke though because everyone else got 4.4 pretty easily with 1.28-1.31. I have always had poor luck on CPU's though. Once DX12 drops this will be a god though.