i9-9900KF vs i7-4960X

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-4960X
2013
6 cores / 12 threads, 130 Watt
6.32
Core i9-9900KF
2019
8 cores / 16 threads, 95 Watt
11.47
+81.5%

Core i9-9900KF outperforms Core i7-4960X by an impressive 81% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-4960X and Core i9-9900KF processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking1068688
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.518.44
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i7 (Desktop)Intel Core i9
Power efficiency4.6011.42
Architecture codenameIvy Bridge-E (2013)Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
Release date3 September 2013 (11 years ago)8 January 2019 (5 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$999$488

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i9-9900KF has 1555% better value for money than i7-4960X.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-4960X and Core i9-9900KF 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)8 (Octa-Core)
Threads1216
Base clock speed3.6 GHz3.6 GHz
Boost clock speed4 GHz5 GHz
Bus typeno dataDMI 3.0
Bus rate5 GT/s4 × 8 GT/s
L1 cache64K (per core)64K (per core)
L2 cache256K (per core)256K (per core)
L3 cache15 MB (shared)16 MB (shared)
Chip lithography22 nm14 nm
Die size257 mm2no data
Maximum core temperature67 °C100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)no data72 °C
Number of transistors1,860 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-+
Unlocked multiplier++

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-4960X and Core i9-9900KF 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 (Uniprocessor)
SocketFCLGA2011FCLGA1151
Power consumption (TDP)130 Watt95 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-4960X and Core i9-9900KF. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVXIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX-+
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
Smart Response+no data
Demand Based Switching-no data

Security technologies

Core i7-4960X and Core i9-9900KF technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT--
EDB++
Secure Keyno data+
MPX-+
Identity Protection++
SGXno dataYes with Intel® ME
OS Guardno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-4960X and Core i9-9900KF are enumerated here.

VT-d++
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-4960X and Core i9-9900KF. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR4-2666
Maximum memory size64 GB128 GB
Max memory channels42
Maximum memory bandwidth59.7 GB/s42.671 GB/s

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-4960X and Core i9-9900KF.

PCIe version3.03.0
PCI Express lanes4016

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.

i7-4960X 6.32
i9-9900KF 11.47
+81.5%

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.

i7-4960X 10042
i9-9900KF 18220
+81.4%

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.

i7-4960X 702
i9-9900KF 1722
+145%

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.

i7-4960X 3464
i9-9900KF 8124
+135%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 6.32 11.47
Recency 3 September 2013 8 January 2019
Physical cores 6 8
Threads 12 16
Chip lithography 22 nm 14 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 130 Watt 95 Watt

i9-9900KF has a 81.5% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 5 years, 33.3% more physical cores and 33.3% more threads, a 57.1% more advanced lithography process, and 36.8% lower power consumption.

The Core i9-9900KF is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-4960X in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-4960X and Core i9-9900KF, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-4960X
Core i7-4960X
Intel Core i9-9900KF
Core i9-9900KF

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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