Intel Core i7-3960X processor review

Core i7-3960X processor released by Intel; release date: November 2011. At the time of release, the processor cost $861. The processor is designed for desktop-computers and based on Sandy Bridge E microarchitecture.

CPU is unlocked for overclocking. Total number of cores - 6, threads - 12. Maximum CPU clock speed - 3.90 GHz. Maximum operating temperature - 66.8°C. Manufacturing process technology - 32 nm. Cache size: L1 - 64 KB (per core), L2 - 256 KB (per core), L3 - 15360 KB (shared).

Supported memory types: DDR3 1066/1333/1600. Maximum memory size: 64 GB.

Supported socket types: FCLGA2011. Maximum number of processors in a configuration - 1. Power consumption (TDP): 130 Watt.

Benchmarks

PassMark
Single thread mark

Top 1 CPU

This CPU

4870

1801

PassMark
CPU mark

Top 1 CPU

This CPU

156834

8460

Geekbench 4
Single Core

Top 1 CPU

This CPU

5311

821

Geekbench 4
Multi-Core

Top 1 CPU

This CPU

36691

4933

3DMark Fire Strike
Physics Score

Top 1 CPU

This CPU

25463

5484

CompuBench 1.5 Desktop
Face Detection

Top 1 CPU

This CPU

97.640 mPixels/s

6.358 mPixels/s

CompuBench 1.5 Desktop
Ocean Surface Simulation

Top 1 CPU

This CPU

741.453 Frames/s

27.376 Frames/s

CompuBench 1.5 Desktop
T-Rex

Top 1 CPU

This CPU

4.623 Frames/s

0.727 Frames/s

CompuBench 1.5 Desktop
Video Composition

Top 1 CPU

This CPU

49.002 Frames/s

2.924 Frames/s

CompuBench 1.5 Desktop
Bitcoin Mining

Top 1 CPU

This CPU

218.231 mHash/s

7.797 mHash/s

Name	Value
PassMark - Single thread mark	1801
PassMark - CPU mark	8460
Geekbench 4 - Single Core	821
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core	4933
3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score	5484
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Face Detection	6.358 mPixels/s
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Ocean Surface Simulation	27.376 Frames/s
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - T-Rex	0.727 Frames/s
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Video Composition	2.924 Frames/s
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Bitcoin Mining	7.797 mHash/s

Specifications (specs)

Essentials
Architecture codename	Sandy Bridge E
Launch date	November 2011
Launch price (MSRP)	$861
Place in performance rating	2065
Price now	$799.99
Processor Number	i7-3960X
Series	Intel® Core™ X-series Processors
Status	Discontinued
Value for money (0-100)	4.64
Vertical segment	Desktop
Performance
64 bit support
Base frequency	3.30 GHz
Bus Speed	5 GT/s DMI2
Die size	435 mm
L1 cache	64 KB (per core)
L2 cache	256 KB (per core)
L3 cache	15360 KB (shared)
Manufacturing process technology	32 nm
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	67 °C
Maximum core temperature	66.8°C
Maximum frequency	3.90 GHz
Number of cores	6
Number of threads	12
Transistor count	2270 million
Unlocked
VID voltage range	0.6V-1.35V

Memory
Max memory channels	4
Maximum memory bandwidth	51.2 GB/s
Maximum memory size	64 GB
Supported memory types	DDR3 1066/1333/1600
Compatibility
Low Halogen Options Available
Max number of CPUs in a configuration	1
Package Size	52.5mm x 45.0mm
Sockets supported	FCLGA2011
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	130 Watt
Peripherals
Max number of PCIe lanes	40
PCI Express revision	2.0
Security & Reliability
Execute Disable Bit (EDB)
Intel® Identity Protection technology
Intel® Trusted Execution technology (TXT)
Advanced Technologies
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® technology
Idle States
Instruction set extensions	Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX
Intel 64
Intel® Advanced Vector Extensions (AVX)
Intel® AES New Instructions
Intel® Demand Based Switching
Intel® Hyper-Threading technology
Intel® Smart Response technology
Intel® Turbo Boost technology
Intel® vPro™ Platform Eligibility
Thermal Monitoring
Virtualization
Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x)
Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)
Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)