Core 2 Extreme X7900 vs Core i7-6950X
Aggregate performance score
Core i7-6950X outperforms Core 2 Extreme X7900 by a whopping 1460% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Primary details
Comparing Core i7-6950X and Core 2 Extreme X7900 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in the ranking | 709 | 2709 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Cost-effectiveness evaluation | 0.82 | no data |
| Market segment | Desktop processor | Laptop |
| Series | Intel Core i7 (Desktop) | Intel Core 2 Extreme |
| Power efficiency | 7.38 | 1.51 |
| Architecture codename | Broadwell-E (2016) | Merom (2006−2008) |
| Release date | 31 May 2016 (8 years ago) | 1 September 2007 (17 years ago) |
| Launch price (MSRP) | $1,723 | $851 |
Cost-effectiveness evaluation
Performance per price, higher is better.
Detailed specifications
Core i7-6950X and Core 2 Extreme X7900 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 cores | 10 (Deca-Core) | 2 (Dual-core) |
| Threads | 20 | 2 |
| Base clock speed | 3 GHz | 2.8 GHz |
| Boost clock speed | 4 GHz | 2.8 GHz |
| Bus rate | 9.6 GT/s / QPI | 800 MHz |
| L1 cache | 32K (per core) | 128 KB |
| L2 cache | 256K (per core) | 4 MB |
| L3 cache | 25 MB (shared) | 0 KB |
| Chip lithography | 14 nm | 65 nm |
| Die size | 246 mm2 | 143 mm2 |
| Maximum core temperature | no data | 100 °C |
| Maximum case temperature (TCase) | 72 °C | no data |
| Number of transistors | 3,800 million | no data |
| 64 bit support | + | + |
| Windows 11 compatibility | - | - |
| Unlocked multiplier | + | - |
| VID voltage range | no data | 1.1V-1.375V |
Compatibility
Information on Core i7-6950X and Core 2 Extreme X7900 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 configuration | 1 | 1 |
| Socket | FCLGA2011 | PPGA478 |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 140 Watt | 44 Watt |
Technologies and extensions
Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-6950X and Core 2 Extreme X7900. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.
| AES-NI | + | - |
| AVX | + | - |
| Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST) | + | + |
| Turbo Boost Technology | 2.0 | - |
| Hyper-Threading Technology | + | - |
| Idle States | + | - |
| Smart Response | + | no data |
| Demand Based Switching | no data | - |
| Turbo Boost Max 3.0 | + | no data |
| AMT | no data | + |
| FSB parity | no data | - |
Security technologies
Core i7-6950X and Core 2 Extreme X7900 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.
| TXT | + | + |
| EDB | + | + |
Virtualization technologies
Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-6950X and Core 2 Extreme X7900 are enumerated here.
| VT-d | + | no data |
| VT-x | + | + |
| EPT | + | no data |
Memory specs
Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-6950X and Core 2 Extreme X7900. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.
| Supported memory types | DDR4 | DDR1 |
| Maximum memory size | 128 GB | no data |
| Max memory channels | 4 | no data |
Peripherals
Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-6950X and Core 2 Extreme X7900.
| PCIe version | 3.0 | no data |
| PCI Express lanes | 40 | no 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.
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.
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.
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.
Cinebench 10 32-bit single-core
Cinebench R10 is an ancient ray tracing benchmark for processors by Maxon, authors of Cinema 4D. Its single core version uses just one CPU thread to render a futuristic looking motorcycle.
Cinebench 10 32-bit multi-core
Cinebench Release 10 Multi Core is a variant of Cinebench R10 using all the processor threads. Possible number of threads is limited by 16 in this version.
3DMark06 CPU
3DMark06 is a discontinued DirectX 9 benchmark suite from Futuremark. Its CPU part contains two scenarios, one dedicated to artificial intelligence pathfinding, another to game physics using PhysX package.
wPrime 32
wPrime 32M is a math multi-thread processor test, which calculates square roots of first 32 million integer numbers. Its result is measured in seconds, so that the less is benchmark result, the faster the processor.
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 10.92 | 0.70 |
| Recency | 31 May 2016 | 1 September 2007 |
| Physical cores | 10 | 2 |
| Threads | 20 | 2 |
| Chip lithography | 14 nm | 65 nm |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 140 Watt | 44 Watt |
i7-6950X has a 1460% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 8 years, 400% more physical cores and 900% more threads, and a 364.3% more advanced lithography process.
Core 2 Extreme X7900, on the other hand, has 218.2% lower power consumption.
The Core i7-6950X is our recommended choice as it beats the Core 2 Extreme X7900 in performance tests.
Note that Core i7-6950X is a desktop processor while Core 2 Extreme X7900 is a notebook one.
Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-6950X and Core 2 Extreme X7900, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.
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