i7-5930K vs i7-5960X

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-5960X
2014
8 cores / 16 threads, 140 Watt
8.05
+23.3%
Core i7-5930K
2014
6 cores / 12 threads, 140 Watt
6.53

Core i7-5960X outperforms Core i7-5930K by a significant 23% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-5960X and Core i7-5930K processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking9291044
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.750.80
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesCore i7 (Desktop)no data
Power efficiency5.424.40
Architecture codenameHaswell-E (2014)Haswell-E (2014)
Release date1 September 2014 (10 years ago)1 September 2014 (10 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$999$613

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i7-5930K has 7% better value for money than i7-5960X.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-5960X and Core i7-5930K 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 cores8 (Octa-Core)6 (Hexa-Core)
Threads1612
Base clock speed3 GHz3.5 GHz
Boost clock speed3.5 GHz3.7 GHz
Bus rate0 GT/s0 GT/s
L1 cache64K (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256K (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache20 MB (shared)15 MB (shared)
Chip lithography22 nm22 nm
Die size356 mm2356 mm2
Maximum core temperature67 °C67 °C
Number of transistors2,600 million2,600 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplier++

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-5960X and Core i7-5930K 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
SocketFCLGA2011FCLGA2011
Power consumption (TDP)140 Watt140 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-5960X and Core i7-5930K. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2Intel® 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++
Demand Based Switching--

Security technologies

Core i7-5960X and Core i7-5930K 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 i7-5960X and Core i7-5930K are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-5960X and Core i7-5930K. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4DDR4
Maximum memory size64 GB64 GB
Max memory channels44
Maximum memory bandwidth68 GB/s68 GB/s

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-5960X and Core i7-5930K.

PCIe version3.03.0
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.

i7-5960X 8.05
+23.3%
i7-5930K 6.53

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.

i7-5960X 12744
+23.4%
i7-5930K 10329

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.

i7-5960X 1323
+8.2%
i7-5930K 1223

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.

i7-5960X 7497
+31.2%
i7-5930K 5714

3DMark Fire Strike Physics

i7-5960X 14570
+9.8%
i7-5930K 13270

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 8.05 6.53
Physical cores 8 6
Threads 16 12

i7-5960X has a 23.3% higher aggregate performance score, and 33.3% more physical cores and 33.3% more threads.

The Core i7-5960X is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-5930K in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-5960X and Core i7-5930K, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-5960X
Core i7-5960X
Intel Core i7-5930K
Core i7-5930K

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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