i7-1255U vs i7-3960X

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-3960X
2011
6 cores / 12 threads, 130 Watt
5.33
Core i7-1255U
2022
10 cores / 12 threads, 15 Watt
8.53
+60%

Core i7-1255U outperforms Core i7-3960X by an impressive 60% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-3960X and Core i7-1255U processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking1182895
Place by popularitynot in top-10074
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.42no data
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
SeriesCore i7 (Desktop)Intel Alder Lake-M
Power efficiency3.8853.82
Architecture codenameSandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)Alder Lake-U (2022)
Release date14 November 2011 (13 years ago)23 February 2022 (2 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$861no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i7-3960X and Core i7-1255U 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)10 (Deca-Core)
Threads1212
Base clock speed3.3 GHz1.7 GHz
Boost clock speed3.9 GHz4.7 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/sno data
L1 cache64 KB (per core)80K (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)1.25 MB (per core)
L3 cache15 MB (shared)12 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nm10 nm
Die size435 mm2no data
Maximum core temperatureno data100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)67 °Cno data
Number of transistors2,270 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-+
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-3960X and Core i7-1255U 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
SocketFCLGA2011Intel BGA 1744
Power consumption (TDP)130 Watt15 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3960X and Core i7-1255U. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVXno data
AES-NI++
FMA-+
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology2.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology+no data
TSX-+
Idle States+no data
Thermal Monitoring+-
Smart Response+no data
Demand Based Switching-no data

Security technologies

Core i7-3960X and Core i7-1255U technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT-+
EDB+no data
Identity Protection+-

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-3960X and Core i7-1255U are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-3960X and Core i7-1255U. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR4, DDR5
Maximum memory size64 GBno data
Max memory channels4no data
Maximum memory bandwidth51.2 GB/sno data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataIntel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs ( - 1250 MHz)

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3960X and Core i7-1255U.

PCIe version2.04.0
PCI Express lanes4020

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.

i7-3960X 5.33
i7-1255U 8.53
+60%

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.

i7-3960X 8460
i7-1255U 13545
+60.1%

Cinebench 15 64-bit multi-core

Cinebench Release 15 Multi Core is a variant of Cinebench R15 which uses all the processor threads.

i7-3960X 1158
i7-1255U 1389
+19.9%

Cinebench 15 64-bit single-core

Cinebench R15 (standing for Release 15) is a benchmark made by Maxon, authors of Cinema 4D. It was superseded by later versions of Cinebench, which use more modern variants of Cinema 4D engine. The Single Core version (sometimes called Single-Thread) only uses a single processor thread to render a room full of reflective spheres and light sources.

i7-3960X 159
i7-1255U 238
+49.7%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 5.33 8.53
Recency 14 November 2011 23 February 2022
Physical cores 6 10
Chip lithography 32 nm 10 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 130 Watt 15 Watt

i7-1255U has a 60% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 10 years, 66.7% more physical cores, a 220% more advanced lithography process, and 766.7% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-1255U is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-3960X in performance tests.

Note that Core i7-3960X is a desktop processor while Core i7-1255U is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-3960X and Core i7-1255U, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Core i7-3960X
Core i7-3960X
Intel Core i7-1255U
Core i7-1255U

Similar processor comparisons

We picked several similar comparisons of processors in the same market segment and performance relatively close to those reviewed on this page.

Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


3.8 75 votes

Rate Core i7-3960X on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
3.7 823 votes

Rate Core i7-1255U on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i7-3960X or Core i7-1255U, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.