i7-3960X Extreme Edition vs i5-9600K

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-9600K and Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking	1039	1154
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	7.01	no data
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Series	Intel Core i5	Intel Core i7EE
Power efficiency	6.68	4.07
Architecture codename	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Release date	19 October 2018 (6 years ago)	14 November 2011 (13 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$262	no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Detailed specifications

Core i5-9600K and Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition 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	6 (Hexa-Core)	6 (Hexa-Core)
Threads	6	12
Base clock speed	3.7 GHz	no data
Boost clock speed	4.6 GHz	3.3 GHz
Bus type	DMI 3.0	DMI 2.0
Bus rate	4 × 8 GT/s	5 GT/s
Multiplier	37	33
L1 cache	64K (per core)	no data
L2 cache	256K (per core)	1,536 KB
L3 cache	9 MB (shared)	15 MB
Chip lithography	14 nm	32 nm
Die size	149 mm2	434.72 mm2
Maximum core temperature	100 °C	no data
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	72 °C	no data
Number of transistors	no data	2270 Million
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	+	-
Unlocked multiplier	+	-

Compatibility

Information on Core i5-9600K and Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition 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 (Uniprocessor)
Socket	FCLGA1151	no data
Power consumption (TDP)	95 Watt	130 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-9600K and Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

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

Security technologies

Core i5-9600K and Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

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

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-9600K and Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i5-9600K and Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR4-2666	no data
Maximum memory size	128 GB	64 GB
Max memory channels	2	no data
Maximum memory bandwidth	42.671 GB/s	no data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card	Intel UHD Graphics 630	no data
Max video memory	64 GB	no data
Quick Sync Video	+	-
Clear Video	+	no data
Clear Video HD	+	no data
Graphics max frequency	1.15 GHz	no data
InTru 3D	+	no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i5-9600K and Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported

3

no data

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i5-9600K and Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

4K resolution support	+	no data
Max resolution over HDMI 1.4	4096x2304@24Hz	no data
Max resolution over eDP	4096x2304@60Hz	no data
Max resolution over DisplayPort	4096x2304@60Hz	no data

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i5-9600K and Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX	12	no data
OpenGL	4.5	no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-9600K and Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition.

PCIe version	3.0	2.00
PCI Express lanes	16	40

Pros & cons summary

---

Performance score	6.71	5.59
Recency	19 October 2018	14 November 2011
Threads	6	12
Chip lithography	14 nm	32 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	95 Watt	130 Watt

---

Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-9600K and Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition, 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.

---