i7-7800X vs i9-7960X

Aggregate performance score

Core i9-7960X
2017
16 cores / 32 threads, 165 Watt
18.21
+125%
Core i7-7800X
2017
6 cores / 12 threads, 140 Watt
8.10

Core i9-7960X outperforms Core i7-7800X by a whopping 125% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i9-7960X and Core i7-7800X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking326924
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation2.923.10
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i9Intel Core i7
Power efficiency10.445.48
Architecture codenameSkylake (server) (2017−2019)Skylake (server) (2017−2019)
Release date30 May 2017 (7 years ago)30 May 2017 (7 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,699$383

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i7-7800X has 6% better value for money than i9-7960X.

Detailed specifications

Core i9-7960X and Core i7-7800X 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 cores16 (Hexadeca-Core)6 (Hexa-Core)
Threads3212
Base clock speed2.8 GHz3.5 GHz
Boost clock speed4.4 GHz4 GHz
Bus typeDMI 3.0DMI 3.0
Bus rate4 × 8 GT/s4 × 8 GT/s
Multiplierno data35
L1 cache1 MB384 KB
L2 cache16 MB6 MB
L3 cache22 MB (shared)8.25 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nm14 nm
Die size484 mm2no data
Maximum core temperature98 °C100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)no data72 °C
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility++
Unlocked multiplier++

Compatibility

Information on Core i9-7960X and Core i7-7800X 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 (Uniprocessor)
SocketFCLGA2066FCLGA2066
Power consumption (TDP)165 Watt140 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-7960X and Core i7-7800X. 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® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512
AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX++
Turbo Boost Max 3.0+no data

Security technologies

Core i9-7960X and Core i7-7800X technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

EDB++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-7960X and Core i7-7800X are enumerated here.

VT-d++
VT-x++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i9-7960X and Core i7-7800X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4-2666DDR4-2400
Maximum memory size128 GB128 GB
Max memory channels44
Maximum memory bandwidth85.33 GB/s85.33 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardN/AN/A

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-7960X and Core i7-7800X.

PCIe version3.03.0
PCI Express lanes4428

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.

i9-7960X 18.21
+125%
i7-7800X 8.10

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.

i9-7960X 28922
+125%
i7-7800X 12865

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.

i9-7960X 1311
i7-7800X 1358
+3.6%

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.

i9-7960X 10345
+68.3%
i7-7800X 6146

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 18.21 8.10
Physical cores 16 6
Threads 32 12
Power consumption (TDP) 165 Watt 140 Watt

i9-7960X has a 124.8% higher aggregate performance score, and 166.7% more physical cores and 166.7% more threads.

i7-7800X, on the other hand, has 17.9% lower power consumption.

The Core i9-7960X is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-7800X in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-7960X and Core i7-7800X, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i9-7960X
Core i9-7960X
Intel Core i7-7800X
Core i7-7800X

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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