Rather than bulk out each CPU related article with the specifications of each test platform, we have listed the comparison systems here and will make any updates as a declared edit. The list is accurate as at July 2017 unless otherwise noted.This list represents the hardware involved and the operating systems, test applications and drivers are updated as required.
Comparison Systems
All systems have Windows 10 operating in ‘High Performance’ mode under the Power Settings. We also use Trend Micro Maximum Security as our Internet Security. In all systems, unless otherwise specified, we use Noctua NT-H1 thermal compound when mounting CPU coolers.
AMD 990FX Platform
We have a dedicated AMD platform with 4 core / 8 thread AMD FX 8350 test bench here in the lab and it represents what many AMD users are likely to be upgrading from. The AM3 platform has been around since early Feb 2009 and received a modification to AM3+ to support the Bulldozer architecture along the way, an update that was backward compatible with AM3. This longevity is important but has come to an expected end with Socket AM4 and Ryzen. The FX8350 CPU in our AMD AM3+ platform is included in the benchmarks for reference purposes to show the value of an upgrade.
Specification
- AMD FX 8350
- 16GB ADATA XPG V3
- Gigabyte 990FX Gaming motherboard
- AMD Wraith Cooler
- MSI GTX 980 Gaming 4G
- Kingston M.2 120GB SSD
- Western Digital Black 6TB HDD
- Cooler Master V1000 PSU
- Cooler Master Cosmos SE Case
- Logitech G910 keyboard
- Logitech G900 Mouse
- Logitech Z533 desktop speakers
- Kingston HyperX Cloud headset
- BenQ XL2730Z Freesync Display
Intel X99 Platform
This system is an Intel X99 based platform with a 6 core / 12 thread i7-5930K CPU. This CPU released in August 2014 and was still available in retail outlets three years later for around $800. Although the chipset is now technically retired, the X99 still has a lot of life left in it.
Specification
- Intel i7-5930K
- 32GB Kingston Savage DDR4 3000
- MSI X99S Gaming 7 motherboard
- MSI GTX 980 Gaming 4G
- Fractal Design Kelvin S36
- ADATA SX900 256GB SSD
- Western Digital Blue 4TB SSHD
- Corsair HX850 PSU
- Fractal Design Define R5 case
- Logitech G910 keyboard
- Logitech G900 mouse
- Logitech Z533 desktop speakers
- Kingston HyperX Cloud headset
- BenQ XL2730Z Freesync Display
Intel Z170 Platform
Thin Intel i5-6600K is a quad core CPU without Hyperthreading.
Specification
- Intel i5-6600K
- 16GB ADATA Dazzle DDR4 2800
- Gigabyte Z170N Gaming 5 motherboard
- MSI GTX 980 Gaming 4G
- HyperX 250GB SSD
- Western Digital Blue 1TB SSHD
- Logitech G910 keyboard
- Logitech G900 mouse
- Logitech Z533 desktop speakers
- Kingston HyperX Cloud headset
- BenQ XL2730Z Freesync Display
AMD Ryzen 7 Test System
The Ryzen7 test system has a Ryzen 7 1700 CPU, MSI X370 Gaming Pro Carbon motherboard with the EK-XLC Predator 240mm AIO Water cooler.
Specification
- AMD Ryzen 7 1700
- 32GB Kingston Predator DDR4 3333
- MSI X370 Gaming Pro Crabon motherboard
- MSI GTX 980 Gaming 4G
- EK-XLC Predator 240mm AIO Water Cooler
- Samsung Evo 840 250GB SSD
- Western Digital Blue 1TB SSHD
- Fractal Design Integra-M 750W PSU
- In Win 509 Case
- Logitech G910 keyboard
- Logitech G900 mouse
- Logitech Z533 desktop speakers
- Kingston HyperX Cloud headset
- BenQ XL2730Z Freesync Display
AMD Ryzen 5 Test System
The Ryzen 5 test system involves switching between a 1600X and 1500X with a Wraith Max RGB cooler as supplied by AMD. Supporting these processors is an ASROCK Fatal1ty AB350 Gaming K4 motherboard and 2x8GB GEIL EVOX RGB DDR4 3200 RAM.
Specification
- AMD Ryzen 5 1600X and 1500X
- Wraith MAX LED cooler
- 16GB (2x8GB) GEIL EVOX RGB DDR4 3200 RAM with timings of 16tCL, 18tRCDRD, 18 tRCDWR, 18tRP, tRAS 36 @ 1.35V.
- ASROCK Fatal1ty AB350 Gaming K4 motherboard
- MSI GTX 980 Gaming 4G 4GB
- Samsung Evo 840 250GB SSD
- Western Digital Blue 1TB SSHD
- Fractal Design Integra-M 750W PSU
- In Win 303 Case
- Logitech G910 keyboard
- Logitech G900 mouse
- Logitech Z533 desktop speakers
- Kingston HyperX Cloud headset
- BenQ XL2730Z Freesync Display
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X Test System
Threadripper is a beast and at the time of testing, the 1950X sits at the top of the tree with 16 cores / 32 threads. The testing platform consists of the ASROCK X399 TAICHI motherboard which was much anticipated on the forums prior to and immediately following launch.
Specification
- AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X
- Noctua NH-U14S TR4-SP3 Cooler
- 32GB Kingston Predator DDR4 3333 running in XMP at 3333MHz
- ASROCK X399 TAICHI motherboard
- MSI GTX 980 Gaming 4G 4GB
- Kingston UV400 240GB SSD
- ADATA 256GB SX7000, 256GB SX8000 & 256GB SX9000 M.2 SSDs (yes, all three of them)
- Seagate Firecuda 2TB 3.5″ HDD
- Corsair RM 850X PSU
- Lian Li Pitstop Case
- Logitech G910 keyboard
- Logitech G900 mouse
- Logitech Z533 desktop speakers
- Kingston HyperX Cloud Revolver headset
- BenQ XL2730Z Freesync Display and Viewsonic XG2401 24″ 144Hz Display
