i7-2960XM vs i9-7900X

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i9-7900X
2017
10 cores / 20 threads, 140 Watt
13.25
+343%
Core i7-2960XM
2011
4 cores / 8 threads, 55 Watt
2.99

Core i9-7900X outperforms Core i7-2960XM by a whopping 343% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i9-7900X and Core i7-2960XM processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking5601637
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation2.87no data
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
SeriesCore i9 (Desktop)Intel Core i7
Power efficiency8.965.14
Architecture codenameSkylake (server) (2017−2018)Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Release date26 June 2017 (7 years ago)4 September 2011 (13 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$999$1,096

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i9-7900X and Core i7-2960XM 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 cores10 (Deca-Core)4 (Quad-Core)
Threads208
Base clock speed3.3 GHz2.7 GHz
Boost clock speed4.5 GHz3.7 GHz
Bus typeDMI 3.0no data
Bus rate4 × 8 GT/s5 GT/s
Multiplier33no data
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64K (per core)
L2 cache1 MB (per core)256K (per core)
L3 cache14 MB (shared)8 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nm32 nm
Die sizeno data216 mm2
Maximum core temperature95 °C100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °Cno data
Number of transistorsno data1,160 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility+-
Unlocked multiplier++

Compatibility

Information on Core i9-7900X and Core i7-2960XM 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 configuration1 (Uniprocessor)1
SocketSocket R4FCPGA988
Power consumption (TDP)140 Watt55 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-7900X and Core i7-2960XM. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512Intel® AVX
AES-NI++
AVX++
vPro+no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
My WiFino data+
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX+-
Idle Statesno data+
Thermal Monitoring-+
Flex Memory Accessno data+
Demand Based Switchingno data-
Turbo Boost Max 3.0+no data
FDIno data+
Fast Memory Accessno data+

Security technologies

Core i9-7900X and Core i7-2960XM technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXTno data+
EDB++
Identity Protection-+
Anti-Theftno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-7900X and Core i7-2960XM are enumerated here.

AMD-V++
VT-d++
VT-x++
EPTno data+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i9-7900X and Core i7-2960XM. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4DDR3
Maximum memory size128 GB32 GB
Max memory channels42
Maximum memory bandwidth85.33 GB/s25.6 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardN/AIntel HD Graphics 3000
Quick Sync Video-+
Clear Video HDno data+
Graphics max frequencyno data1.3 GHz
InTru 3Dno data+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i9-7900X and Core i7-2960XM integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data2
eDPno data+
DisplayPort-+
HDMI-+
SDVOno data+
CRTno data+

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-7900X and Core i7-2960XM.

PCIe version3.02.0
PCI Express lanes4416

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.

i9-7900X 13.25
+343%
i7-2960XM 2.99

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.

i9-7900X 21049
+343%
i7-2960XM 4754

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.

i9-7900X 1443
+145%
i7-2960XM 588

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.

i9-7900X 8862
+365%
i7-2960XM 1904

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.

i9-7900X 7287
+47.9%
i7-2960XM 4928

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.

i9-7900X 49738
+172%
i7-2960XM 18300

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.

i9-7900X 12678
+85.9%
i7-2960XM 6820

Cinebench 11.5 64-bit multi-core

Cinebench Release 11.5 Multi Core is a variant of Cinebench R11.5 which uses all the processor threads. A maximum of 64 threads is supported in this version.

i9-7900X 24
+277%
i7-2960XM 6

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 13.25 2.99
Recency 26 June 2017 4 September 2011
Physical cores 10 4
Threads 20 8
Chip lithography 14 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 140 Watt 55 Watt

i9-7900X has a 343.1% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 5 years, 150% more physical cores and 150% more threads, and a 128.6% more advanced lithography process.

i7-2960XM, on the other hand, has 154.5% lower power consumption.

The Core i9-7900X is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-2960XM in performance tests.

Note that Core i9-7900X is a desktop processor while Core i7-2960XM is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-7900X and Core i7-2960XM, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i9-7900X
Core i9-7900X
Intel Core i7-2960XM
Core i7-2960XM

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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