i7-3960X Extreme Edition vs i7-5930K

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-5930K
2014
6 cores / 12 threads, 140 Watt
6.50
+16.3%
Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition
2011
6 cores / 12 threads, 130 Watt
5.59

Core i7-5930K outperforms Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition by a moderate 16% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-5930K and Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking10441141
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.79no data
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Seriesno dataIntel Core i7EE
Power efficiency4.394.07
Architecture codenameHaswell-E (2014)Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Release date1 September 2014 (10 years ago)14 November 2011 (13 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$613no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i7-5930K 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)
Threads1212
Base clock speed3.5 GHzno data
Boost clock speed3.7 GHz3.3 GHz
Bus typeno dataDMI 2.0
Bus rate0 GT/s5 GT/s
Multiplierno data33
L1 cache64 KB (per core)no data
L2 cache256 KB (per core)1,536 KB
L3 cache15 MB (shared)15 MB
Chip lithography22 nm32 nm
Die size356 mm2434.72 mm2
Maximum core temperature67 °Cno data
Number of transistors2,600 million2270 Million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-5930K 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 configuration11 (Uniprocessor)
SocketFCLGA2011no data
Power consumption (TDP)140 Watt130 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-5930K and Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2no data
AES-NI++
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 i7-5930K and Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+no data
EDB+no data
Identity Protection+-

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-5930K 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 i7-5930K and Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4no data
Maximum memory size64 GB64 GB
Max memory channels4no data
Maximum memory bandwidth68 GB/sno data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-5930K and Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition.

PCIe version3.02.00
PCI Express lanes4040

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.

i7-5930K 6.50
+16.3%
i7-3960X Extreme Edition 5.59

3DMark Fire Strike Physics

i7-5930K 13270
+6.5%
i7-3960X Extreme Edition 12460

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 6.50 5.59
Recency 1 September 2014 14 November 2011
Chip lithography 22 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 140 Watt 130 Watt

i7-5930K has a 16.3% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 2 years, and a 45.5% more advanced lithography process.

i7-3960X Extreme Edition, on the other hand, has 7.7% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-5930K 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 i7-5930K and Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-5930K
Core i7-5930K
Intel Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition
Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition

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Community ratings

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


4.3 165 votes

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3.8 39 votes

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Questions & comments

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