Intel Core i7-3770K vs Intel Core i7-3960X

Comparative analysis of Intel Core i7-3770K and Intel Core i7-3960X processors for all known characteristics in the following categories: Essentials, Performance, Memory, Graphics, Graphics interfaces, Compatibility, Peripherals, Security & Reliability, Advanced Technologies, Virtualization. Benchmark processor performance analysis: PassMark - Single thread mark, PassMark - CPU mark, Geekbench 4 - Single Core, Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core, 3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score, CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Face Detection (mPixels/s), CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Ocean Surface Simulation (Frames/s), CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - T-Rex (Frames/s), CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Video Composition (Frames/s), CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Bitcoin Mining (mHash/s), GFXBench 4.0 - T-Rex (Frames), GFXBench 4.0 - T-Rex (Fps).

Intel Core i7-3770K

Intel Core i7-3960X

Differences

Reasons to consider the Intel Core i7-3770K

CPU is newer: launch date 5 month(s) later
Around 1% higher maximum core temperature: 67.4°C vs 66.8°C
A newer manufacturing process allows for a more powerful, yet cooler running processor: 22 nm vs 32 nm
Around 69% lower typical power consumption: 77 Watt vs 130 Watt
Around 15% better performance in PassMark - Single thread mark: 2073 vs 1801
Around 6% better performance in Geekbench 4 - Single Core: 867 vs 821
3x better performance in CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Ocean Surface Simulation (Frames/s): 83.411 vs 27.376

Specifications (specs)
Launch date	8 April 2012 vs November 2011
Maximum core temperature	67.4°C vs 66.8°C
Manufacturing process technology	22 nm vs 32 nm
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	77 Watt vs 130 Watt
Benchmarks
PassMark - Single thread mark	2073 vs 1801
Geekbench 4 - Single Core	867 vs 821
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Ocean Surface Simulation (Frames/s)	83.411 vs 27.376

Reasons to consider the Intel Core i7-3960X

2 more cores, run more applications at once: 6 vs 4
4 more threads: 12 vs 8
Around 50% more L1 cache; more data can be stored in the L1 cache for quick access later
Around 50% more L2 cache; more data can be stored in the L2 cache for quick access later
Around 88% more L3 cache; more data can be stored in the L3 cache for quick access later
2x more maximum memory size: 64 GB vs 32 GB
Around 31% better performance in PassMark - CPU mark: 8460 vs 6473
Around 45% better performance in Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core: 4933 vs 3395
2.6x better performance in 3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score: 5484 vs 2122
Around 31% better performance in CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Face Detection (mPixels/s): 6.358 vs 4.87
Around 20% better performance in CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - T-Rex (Frames/s): 0.727 vs 0.606
Around 26% better performance in CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Video Composition (Frames/s): 2.924 vs 2.325
Around 26% better performance in CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Bitcoin Mining (mHash/s): 7.797 vs 6.205

Specifications (specs)
Number of cores	6 vs 4
Number of threads	12 vs 8
L1 cache	64 KB (per core) vs 64 KB (per core)
L2 cache	256 KB (per core) vs 1024 KB
L3 cache	15360 KB (shared) vs 8192 KB
Maximum memory size	64 GB vs 32 GB
Benchmarks
PassMark - CPU mark	8460 vs 6473
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core	4933 vs 3395
3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score	5484 vs 2122
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Face Detection (mPixels/s)	6.358 vs 4.87
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - T-Rex (Frames/s)	0.727 vs 0.606
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Video Composition (Frames/s)	2.924 vs 2.325
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Bitcoin Mining (mHash/s)	7.797 vs 6.205

Compare benchmarks

CPU 1: Intel Core i7-3770K
CPU 2: Intel Core i7-3960X

PassMark - Single thread mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

2073

1801

PassMark - CPU mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

6473

8460

Geekbench 4 - Single Core

CPU 1

CPU 2

867

821

Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core

CPU 1

CPU 2

3395

4933

3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score

CPU 1

CPU 2

2122

5484

CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Face Detection (mPixels/s)

CPU 1

CPU 2

4.87

6.358

CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Ocean Surface Simulation (Frames/s)

CPU 1

CPU 2

83.411

27.376

CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - T-Rex (Frames/s)

CPU 1

CPU 2

0.606

0.727

CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Video Composition (Frames/s)

CPU 1

CPU 2

2.325

2.924

CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Bitcoin Mining (mHash/s)

CPU 1

CPU 2

6.205

7.797

Name	Intel Core i7-3770K	Intel Core i7-3960X
PassMark - Single thread mark	2073	1801
PassMark - CPU mark	6473	8460
Geekbench 4 - Single Core	867	821
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core	3395	4933
3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score	2122	5484
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Face Detection (mPixels/s)	4.87	6.358
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Ocean Surface Simulation (Frames/s)	83.411	27.376
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - T-Rex (Frames/s)	0.606	0.727
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Video Composition (Frames/s)	2.325	2.924
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Bitcoin Mining (mHash/s)	6.205	7.797
GFXBench 4.0 - T-Rex (Frames)	2356
GFXBench 4.0 - T-Rex (Fps)	2356

Compare specifications (specs)

	Intel Core i7-3770K	Intel Core i7-3960X
Essentials
Architecture codename	Ivy Bridge	Sandy Bridge E
Launch date	8 April 2012	November 2011
Launch price (MSRP)	$294	$861
Place in performance rating	2063	2065
Price now	$247.99	$799.99
Processor Number	i7-3770K	i7-3960X
Series	Legacy Intel® Core™ Processors	Intel® Core™ X-series Processors
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued
Value for money (0-100)	11.31	4.64
Vertical segment	Desktop	Desktop
Performance
64 bit support
Base frequency	3.50 GHz	3.30 GHz
Bus Speed	5 GT/s DMI	5 GT/s DMI2
Die size	160 mm	435 mm
L1 cache	64 KB (per core)	64 KB (per core)
L2 cache	1024 KB	256 KB (per core)
L3 cache	8192 KB	15360 KB (shared)
Manufacturing process technology	22 nm	32 nm
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	67 °C	67 °C
Maximum core temperature	67.4°C	66.8°C
Maximum frequency	3.90 GHz	3.90 GHz
Number of cores	4	6
Number of threads	8	12
Transistor count	1400 million	2270 million
Unlocked
VID voltage range		0.6V-1.35V
Memory
Max memory channels	2	4
Maximum memory bandwidth	25.6 GB/s	51.2 GB/s
Maximum memory size	32 GB	64 GB
Supported memory types	DDR3 1333/1600	DDR3 1066/1333/1600
Graphics
Device ID	0x162
Graphics base frequency	650 MHz
Graphics max dynamic frequency	1.15 GHz
Graphics max frequency	1.15 GHz
Intel® Clear Video HD technology
Intel® Flexible Display Interface (Intel® FDI)
Intel® InTru™ 3D technology
Intel® Quick Sync Video
Processor graphics	Intel® HD Graphics 4000
Graphics interfaces
Number of displays supported	3
Wireless Display (WiDi) support
Compatibility
Low Halogen Options Available
Max number of CPUs in a configuration	1	1
Package Size	37.5mm x 37.5mm	52.5mm x 45.0mm
Sockets supported	FCLGA1155	FCLGA2011
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	77 Watt	130 Watt
Thermal Solution	2011D
Peripherals
PCI Express revision	3.0	2.0
PCIe configurations	up to 1x16, 2x8, 1x8 & 2x4
Max number of PCIe lanes		40
Security & Reliability
Anti-Theft technology
Execute Disable Bit (EDB)
Intel® Identity Protection technology
Intel® Secure Key technology
Intel® Trusted Execution technology (TXT)
Advanced Technologies
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® technology
Flexible Display interface (FDI)
Idle States
Instruction set extensions	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX	Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX
Intel 64
Intel® Advanced Vector Extensions (AVX)
Intel® AES New Instructions
Intel® Hyper-Threading technology
Intel® TSX-NI
Intel® Turbo Boost technology
Intel® vPro™ Platform Eligibility
Thermal Monitoring
Intel® Demand Based Switching
Intel® Smart Response technology
Virtualization
Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x)
Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)
Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)