i9-10900KF vs i9-7960X

Primary details

Comparing Core i9-7960X and Core i9-10900KF processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking	329	511
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	3.18	14.20
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Series	Intel Core i9	no data
Power efficiency	10.42	10.73
Architecture codename	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Comet Lake (2020)
Release date	1 September 2017 (7 years ago)	30 April 2020 (4 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$1,699	$509

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i9-10900KF has 347% better value for money than i9-7960X.

Detailed specifications

Core i9-7960X and Core i9-10900KF 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	16 (Hexadeca-Core)	10 (Deca-Core)
Threads	32	20
Base clock speed	2.8 GHz	3.7 GHz
Boost clock speed	4.4 GHz	5.2 GHz
Bus type	DMI 3.0	no data
Bus rate	4 × 8 GT/s	8 GT/s
L1 cache	64 KB (per core)	64 KB (per core)
L2 cache	1 MB (per core)	256 KB (per core)
L3 cache	22 MB (shared)	20 MB (shared)
Chip lithography	14 nm	14 nm
Die size	484 mm2	no data
Maximum core temperature	98 °C	100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	no data	72 °C
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	+	+
Unlocked multiplier	+	+

Compatibility

Information on Core i9-7960X and Core i9-10900KF 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
Socket	FCLGA2066	FCLGA1200
Power consumption (TDP)	165 Watt	125 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-7960X and Core i9-10900KF. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI	+	+
AVX	+	+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
Turbo Boost Technology	2.0	2.0
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	+
TSX	+	-
Idle States	no data	+
Thermal Monitoring	-	+
Turbo Boost Max 3.0	+	+

Security technologies

Core i9-7960X and Core i9-10900KF technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT	no data	+
EDB	+	+
Secure Key	no data	+
Identity Protection	-	+
SGX	no data	Yes with Intel® ME
OS Guard	no data	+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-7960X and Core i9-10900KF are enumerated here.

VT-d	+	+
VT-x	+	+
EPT	no data	+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i9-7960X and Core i9-10900KF. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR4-2666	DDR4-2933
Maximum memory size	128 GB	128 GB
Max memory channels	4	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	85.33 GB/s	45.8 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card

N/A

N/A

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-7960X and Core i9-10900KF.

PCIe version	3.0	3.0
PCI Express lanes	44	16

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.

---

Pros & cons summary

---

Performance score	18.16	14.17
Recency	1 September 2017	30 April 2020
Physical cores	16	10
Threads	32	20
Power consumption (TDP)	165 Watt	125 Watt

---

Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-7960X and Core i9-10900KF, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.

---