i7-3960X Extreme Edition vs i5-9600KF

Aggregate performance score

Core i5-9600KF
2019
6 cores / 6 threads, 95 Watt
6.72
+20.2%
Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition
2011
6 cores / 12 threads, 130 Watt
5.59

Core i5-9600KF outperforms Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition by a significant 20% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-9600KF and Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking10251141
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation7.35no data
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i5Intel Core i7EE
Power efficiency6.694.07
Architecture codenameCoffee Lake (2017−2019)Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Release date8 January 2019 (5 years ago)14 November 2011 (13 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$262no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i5-9600KF and Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores6 (Hexa-Core)6 (Hexa-Core)
Threads612
Base clock speed3.7 GHzno data
Boost clock speed4.6 GHz3.3 GHz
Bus typeDMI 3.0DMI 2.0
Bus rate4 × 8 GT/s5 GT/s
Multiplier3733
L1 cache64K (per core)no data
L2 cache256K (per core)1,536 KB
L3 cache9 MB (shared)15 MB
Chip lithography14 nm32 nm
Die size149 mm2434.72 mm2
Maximum core temperature100 °Cno data
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °Cno data
Number of transistorsno data2270 Million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility+-
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i5-9600KF and Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration1 (Uniprocessor)1 (Uniprocessor)
SocketFCLGA1151no data
Power consumption (TDP)95 Watt130 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-9600KF and Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2no data
AES-NI++
AVX++
vPro+no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology2.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology-no data
TSX+-
Idle States+no data
Thermal Monitoring+-
SIPP+-

Security technologies

Core i5-9600KF and Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+no data
EDB+no data
Secure Key+no data
MPX+-
Identity Protection+-
SGXYes with Intel® MEno data
OS Guard+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-9600KF and Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition are enumerated here.

VT-d+no data
VT-x+no data
EPT+no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i5-9600KF and Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4-2666no data
Maximum memory size128 GB64 GB
Max memory channels2no data
Maximum memory bandwidth41.6 GB/sno data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-9600KF and Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition.

PCIe version3.02.00
PCI Express lanes1640

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 6.72 5.59
Recency 8 January 2019 14 November 2011
Threads 6 12
Chip lithography 14 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 95 Watt 130 Watt

i5-9600KF has a 20.2% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 7 years, a 128.6% more advanced lithography process, and 36.8% lower power consumption.

i7-3960X Extreme Edition, on the other hand, has 100% more threads.

The Core i5-9600KF is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-9600KF and Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i5-9600KF
Core i5-9600KF
Intel Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition
Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition

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Community ratings

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4.1 1154 votes

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