Comprehensive Guide to Intel’s LGA 2011 CPU List

Comprehensive Guide to Intel’s LGA 2011 CPU List

When it comes to high-performance processing, the LGA 2011 socket family remains a standout in Intel’s lineup. Known as Socket R, the LGA 2011 was released back in 2011 and has since been succeeded by LGA 2066 and other newer sockets. However, its remarkable versatility and power make it a subject of continued interest, particularly for those dealing with high-end desktops, workstations, or server systems.

This guide will take you through the vital information about Intel’s LGA 2011 socket CPUs, including an overview of what makes them distinct, their variants, and a breakdown of major CPUs under this umbrella.

What is the LGA 2011 Socket?

The LGA 2011, also referred to as Socket R, is a CPU socket first released by Intel on November 14, 2011. It was created to supersede its predecessor, the LGA 1366, and established itself as a socket designed for high-performance capabilities. Its primary application was on high-end desktops (HEDTs) and performance-driven server systems.

Featuring 2011 contact pins that connect with the underside of the processor, the LGA 2011 introduced several advancements in both design and technology, such as:

  • Quad-Channel DDR3/DDR4 Memory Support: Offering compatibility with up to four memory channels, allowing more efficient data transfer.
  • PCI Express Integration: Up to 40 PCIe 2.0 or 3.0 lanes, suitable for heavy-duty computing tasks like 3D rendering or video editing.
  • Scalability Beyond 8 Cores: Perfect for intensive multitasking workloads.

Unlike consumer-grade sockets, such as LGA 1155, the LGA 2011 does not support integrated graphics. It’s intended for systems that demand discrete GPUs or massive computational power.

Variants of LGA 2011

Over time, Intel introduced several variations of the LGA 2011 socket, improving upon its design:

1. LGA 2011-0 (Socket R)

Released alongside Sandy Bridge-E/EP and Ivy Bridge-E/EP processors, the original LGA 2011 was built for Intel’s X79 chipset for desktops and C600-series chipsets for servers.

2. LGA 2011-1 (Socket R2)

This updated version emerged for the Ivy Bridge-EX (Xeon E7 v2) and Haswell-EX (Xeon E7 v3) processors. It introduced support for higher core counts and enhanced memory configurations to cater to the growing demands of server systems.

3. LGA 2011-v3 (Socket R3)

Launched along with Haswell-E/EP and Broadwell-E/EP CPUs, LGA 2011-v3 brought support for DDR4 memory and brought significant improvements to efficiency and performance. The X99 chipset became the standard pair for desktop-class LGA 2011-v3 builds. However, processors and sockets from LGA 2011-v3 are not backward-compatible with earlier LGA 2011 generations due to electrical and keying differences.

The LGA 2011 CPU List

The LGA 2011 socket supported a wide range of processors under both desktop and server categories. Below is an overview of major CPU families compatible with this platform, grouped by architecture generation.

Sandy Bridge-E Processors (LGA 2011)

Released in 2011, Sandy Bridge-E processors were Intel’s first CPUs for LGA 2011. These processors featured up to 6 cores and up to 15MB of L3 cache.

  • Core i7-3960X (Extreme Edition): 6 cores, 12 threads, 3.3 GHz base clock (up to 3.9 GHz turbo), and 15MB L3 cache.
  • Core i7-3930K: 6 cores, 12 threads, slightly lower clock speeds than the 3960X, but a more cost-effective option.
  • Core i7-3820: A 4-core/8-thread solution for enthusiasts entering the high-end desktop space.

Ivy Bridge-E Processors (LGA 2011)

Intel expanded its support lineup with Ivy Bridge-E in 2013, offering higher clock speeds, reduced power consumption, and refined performance.

  • Core i7-4960X: 6 cores, 12 threads, 15MB L3 cache.
  • Core i7-4930K: A solid mid-range option offering excellent overclocking capabilities and 6 cores.
  • Core i7-4820K: A budget-friendly processor in the lineup with quad-core performance.

Haswell-E Processors (LGA 2011-v3)

The introduction of Haswell-E in 2014 was a game-changer, bringing DDR4 memory support and CPUs packing up to 8 cores.

  • Core i7-5960X: The first 8-core processor in Intel’s HEDT lineup, offering 16 threads and 20MB L3 cache.
  • Core i7-5930K and i7-5820K: More budget-friendly 6-core CPUs with up to 15MB of L3 cache.

Broadwell-E Processors (LGA 2011-v3)

Broadwell-E built upon Haswell-E’s foundation, delivering better energy efficiency and processors with up to 10 cores.

  • Core i7-6950X: 10 cores, 20 threads, 25MB L3 cache, and blazing-fast performance for power users.
  • Core i7-6900K: A more affordable 8-core CPU packing 20MB L3 cache and a lower price tag than its 10-core sibling.
  • Core i7-6850K and i7-6800K: Mid-tier 6-core options with competitive multitasking capabilities.

Xeon E5 and E7 Family Processors

For servers, LGA 2011 sockets supported a range of Xeon processors, designed for heavy workloads and enterprise tasks. Notable Xeon processors include:

  • Xeon E5-2690 v2 (Ivy Bridge-EP): 10 cores, ideal for virtualized server environments.
  • Xeon E7-8890 v4 (Broadwell-EX): Up to 24 cores, 60MB L3 cache, crafted for mission-critical workloads.

Key Features of the LGA 2011 Ecosystem

Memory Support

The LGA 2011 socket added key improvements for users working with memory-intensive applications. It supported quad-channel DDR3 and DDR4 memory, providing significant bandwidth gains for faster data processing.

Overclocking Capabilities

Enthusiast-grade processors like the i7-3930K, i7-4960X, and i7-5960X offered unlocked multipliers, making it easier for overclockers to push their CPUs beyond factory limits for enhanced performance.

PCI Express Lanes

With up to 40 PCI-E lanes, LGA 2011 processors were ideal for multi-GPU setups, RAID configurations, and additional peripherals requiring high-speed connectivity.

Why Choose LGA 2011 CPUs?

Though replaced by newer sockets, the LGA 2011 CPUs still boast an impressive set of features, making them suitable for users building affordable high-performance desktops or servers. Whether you’re running a dedicated editing rig or a workstation for computational tasks, LGA 2011 provides a robust platform for demanding usage.

Final Thoughts

The LGA 2011 CPU lineup represents an era of innovation that paved the way for modern high-performance computing. Its support for advanced memory, multi-core processing, and PCI-E lanes made it a favorite platform for enthusiasts and professionals alike.

For those seeking reliable performance without breaking the bank, this socket generation remains a valuable choice. Take a closer look at the processors discussed here to determine if the LGA 2011 series is the right fit for your needs.