i7-960 vs i7-3930K

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-3930K
2011
6 cores / 12 threads, 130 Watt
5.16
+145%
Core i7-960
2009
4 cores / 8 threads, 130 Watt
2.11

Core i7-3930K outperforms Core i7-960 by a whopping 145% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-3930K and Core i7-960 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking12071880
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.550.17
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Seriesno dataCore i7 (Desktop)
Power efficiency3.751.54
Architecture codenameSandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)Bloomfield (2008−2010)
Release date14 November 2011 (13 years ago)20 October 2009 (15 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$611$316

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i7-3930K has 224% better value for money than i7-960.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-3930K and Core i7-960 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)4 (Quad-Core)
Threads128
Base clock speed3.2 GHz3.2 GHz
Boost clock speed3.8 GHz3.46 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/s1333 MHz
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache12 MB (shared)8 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nm45 nm
Die size435 mm2263 mm2
Maximum core temperatureno data68 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)67 °Cno data
Number of transistors2,270 million731 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-3930K and Core i7-960 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 configuration11
SocketFCLGA2011FCLGA1366
Power consumption (TDP)130 Watt130 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3930K and Core i7-960. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVXIntel® SSE4.2
AES-NI+-
AVX+-
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology2.01.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring+-
Smart Response+no data
Demand Based Switching--
PAEno data36 Bit

Security technologies

Core i7-3930K and Core i7-960 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT-+
EDB++
Identity Protection+-

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-3930K and Core i7-960 are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-3930K and Core i7-960. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3
Maximum memory size64.23 GB24 GB
Max memory channels43
Maximum memory bandwidth51.2 GB/s25.6 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataN/A

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3930K and Core i7-960.

PCIe version2.02.0
PCI Express lanes40no data

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i7-3930K 5.16
+145%
i7-960 2.11

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i7-3930K 8202
+145%
i7-960 3351

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i7-3930K 610
+24.7%
i7-960 489

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i7-3930K 2968
+79.4%
i7-960 1654

3DMark Fire Strike Physics

i7-3930K 12240
+134%
i7-960 5230

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 5.16 2.11
Recency 14 November 2011 20 October 2009
Physical cores 6 4
Threads 12 8
Chip lithography 32 nm 45 nm

i7-3930K has a 144.5% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 2 years, 50% more physical cores and 50% more threads, and a 40.6% more advanced lithography process.

The Core i7-3930K is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-960 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-3930K and Core i7-960, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-3930K
Core i7-3930K
Intel Core i7-960
Core i7-960

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i7-3930K or Core i7-960, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.