Apple M2 Pro vs i7-3960X Extreme Edition
Aggregate performance score
Apple M2 Pro outperforms Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition by a whopping 145% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Primary details
Comparing Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Apple M2 Pro processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in the ranking | 1139 | 536 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Market segment | Desktop processor | Laptop |
| Series | Intel Core i7EE | Apple Apple M-Series |
| Power efficiency | 4.07 | no data |
| Architecture codename | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | no data |
| Release date | 14 November 2011 (12 years ago) | 17 January 2023 (1 year ago) |
Detailed specifications
Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Apple M2 Pro 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) | 12 (Dodeca-Core) |
| Threads | 12 | 12 |
| Base clock speed | no data | 2.424 GHz |
| Boost clock speed | 3.3 GHz | 3.5 GHz |
| Bus type | DMI 2.0 | no data |
| Bus rate | 5 GT/s | no data |
| Multiplier | 33 | no data |
| L1 cache | no data | 3.3 MB |
| L2 cache | 1,536 KB | 36 MB |
| L3 cache | 15 MB | 24 MB |
| Chip lithography | 32 nm | 5 nm |
| Die size | 434.72 mm2 | no data |
| Number of transistors | 2270 Million | 40000 Million |
| 64 bit support | + | + |
| Windows 11 compatibility | - | no data |
Compatibility
Information on Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Apple M2 Pro 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) | no data |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 130 Watt | 2424 ‑ 3504 Watt |
Technologies and extensions
Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Apple M2 Pro. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.
| AES-NI | + | - |
| AVX | + | - |
| Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST) | + | no data |
Memory specs
Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Apple M2 Pro. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.
| Maximum memory size | 64 GB | no data |
Graphics specifications
General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.
| Integrated graphics card | no data | Apple M2 Pro 19-Core GPU |
Peripherals
Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Apple M2 Pro.
| PCIe version | 2.00 | no data |
| PCI Express lanes | 40 | no data |
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 5.80 | 14.20 |
| Recency | 14 November 2011 | 17 January 2023 |
| Physical cores | 6 | 12 |
| Chip lithography | 32 nm | 5 nm |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 130 Watt | 2424 Watt |
i7-3960X Extreme Edition has 1764.6% lower power consumption.
Apple M2 Pro, on the other hand, has a 144.8% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 11 years, 100% more physical cores, and a 540% more advanced lithography process.
The Apple M2 Pro is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition in performance tests.
Note that Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition is a desktop processor while Apple M2 Pro is a notebook one.
Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Apple M2 Pro, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.
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