i7-3960X Extreme Edition vs i7-9700K
Aggregate performance score
Core i7-9700K outperforms Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition by an impressive 63% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Primary details
Comparing Core i7-9700K and Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
Place in the ranking | 836 | 1142 |
Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
Cost-effectiveness evaluation | 7.16 | no data |
Market segment | Desktop processor | Desktop processor |
Series | Intel Core i7 | Intel Core i7EE |
Power efficiency | 9.07 | 4.07 |
Architecture codename | Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
Release date | 19 October 2018 (6 years ago) | 14 November 2011 (13 years ago) |
Launch price (MSRP) | $374 | no data |
Cost-effectiveness evaluation
Performance per price, higher is better.
Detailed specifications
Core i7-9700K 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 cores | 8 (Octa-Core) | 6 (Hexa-Core) |
Threads | 8 | 12 |
Base clock speed | 3.6 GHz | no data |
Boost clock speed | 4.9 GHz | 3.3 GHz |
Bus type | DMI 3.0 | DMI 2.0 |
Bus rate | 4 × 8 GT/s | 5 GT/s |
Multiplier | 36 | 33 |
L1 cache | 64K (per core) | no data |
L2 cache | 256K (per core) | 1,536 KB |
L3 cache | 12 MB (shared) | 15 MB |
Chip lithography | 14 nm | 32 nm |
Die size | 178 mm2 | 434.72 mm2 |
Maximum core temperature | 100 °C | no data |
Maximum case temperature (TCase) | 72 °C | no data |
Number of transistors | no data | 2270 Million |
64 bit support | + | + |
Windows 11 compatibility | + | - |
Unlocked multiplier | + | - |
Compatibility
Information on Core i7-9700K 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 configuration | 1 (Uniprocessor) | 1 (Uniprocessor) |
Socket | LGA-1151 | no data |
Power consumption (TDP) | 95 Watt | 130 Watt |
Technologies and extensions
Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-9700K and Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.
Instruction set extensions | Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2 | no data |
AES-NI | + | + |
AVX | + | + |
vPro | + | no data |
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST) | + | + |
Turbo Boost Technology | 2.0 | no data |
Hyper-Threading Technology | + | no data |
TSX | + | - |
Idle States | + | no data |
Thermal Monitoring | + | - |
SIPP | + | - |
Security technologies
Core i7-9700K and Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.
TXT | + | no data |
EDB | + | no data |
Secure Key | + | no data |
MPX | + | - |
Identity Protection | + | - |
SGX | Yes with Intel® ME | no data |
OS Guard | + | no data |
Virtualization technologies
Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-9700K and Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition are enumerated here.
AMD-V | + | - |
VT-d | + | no data |
VT-x | + | no data |
EPT | + | no data |
Memory specs
Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-9700K and Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.
Supported memory types | DDR4 | no data |
Maximum memory size | 128 GB | 64 GB |
Max memory channels | 2 | no data |
Maximum memory bandwidth | 42.671 GB/s | no data |
Graphics specifications
General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.
Integrated graphics card | Intel UHD Graphics 630 | no data |
Max video memory | 64 GB | no data |
Quick Sync Video | + | - |
Clear Video | + | no data |
Clear Video HD | + | no data |
Graphics max frequency | 1.2 GHz | no data |
InTru 3D | + | no data |
Graphics interfaces
Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-9700K and Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition integrated GPUs.
Number of displays supported | 3 | no data |
Graphics image quality
Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i7-9700K and Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.
4K resolution support | + | no data |
Max resolution over HDMI 1.4 | 4096 x 2304@24Hz | no data |
Max resolution over eDP | 4096 x 2304@60Hz | no data |
Max resolution over DisplayPort | 4096 x 2304@60Hz | no data |
Graphics API support
APIs supported by Core i7-9700K and Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.
DirectX | 12 | no data |
OpenGL | 4.5 | no data |
Peripherals
Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-9700K and Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition.
PCIe version | 3.0 | 2.00 |
PCI Express lanes | 16 | 40 |
Pros & cons summary
Performance score | 9.10 | 5.59 |
Recency | 19 October 2018 | 14 November 2011 |
Physical cores | 8 | 6 |
Threads | 8 | 12 |
Chip lithography | 14 nm | 32 nm |
Power consumption (TDP) | 95 Watt | 130 Watt |
i7-9700K has a 62.8% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 6 years, 33.3% more physical cores, a 128.6% more advanced lithography process, and 36.8% lower power consumption.
i7-3960X Extreme Edition, on the other hand, has 50% more threads.
The Core i7-9700K 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 i7-9700K and Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.
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