Core i7-4790 vs Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Core i7-4790 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking	1069	1215
Place by popularity	not in top-100	55
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	1.23	2.47
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Series	Intel Core i7EE	Core i7 (Desktop)
Architecture codename	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Haswell (2013−2015)
Release date	14 November 2011 (12 years ago)	1 May 2014 (10 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	no data	$303
Current price	$350	$114 (0.4x MSRP)

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i7-4790 has 101% better value for money than i7-3960X Extreme Edition.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Core i7-4790 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)	4 (Quad-Core)
Threads	12	8
Base clock speed	no data	3.6 GHz
Boost clock speed	3.3 GHz	4 GHz
Bus support	5 GT/s	no data
L1 cache	no data	64K (per core)
L2 cache	1,536 KB	256K (per core)
L3 cache	15 MB	8 MB (shared)
Chip lithography	32 nm	22 nm
Die size	434.72 mm220.9 mm × 20.8 mm	177 mm2
Maximum core temperature	no data	73 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	no data	72 °C
Number of transistors	2270 Million	1,400 million
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	-	-
Unlocked multiplier	No	No

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Core i7-4790 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	no data	FCLGA1150
Power consumption (TDP)	130 Watt	84 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Core i7-4790. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

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

Security technologies

Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Core i7-4790 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT	no data	+
EDB	no data	+
Secure Key	no data	+
Identity Protection	no data	+
OS Guard	no data	+
Anti-Theft	no data	+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Core i7-4790 are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Core i7-4790. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	no data	DDR3
Maximum memory size	64 GB	32 GB
Max memory channels	no data	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	no data	25.6 GB/s
ECC memory support	no data	-

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card	no data	Intel HD Graphics 4600
Max video memory	no data	2 GB
Quick Sync Video	no data	+
Clear Video HD	no data	+
Graphics max frequency	no data	1.2 GHz
InTru 3D	no data	+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Core i7-4790 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported	no data	3
eDP	no data	+
DisplayPort	no data	+
HDMI	no data	+
DVI	no data	+
VGA	no data	+

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Core i7-4790 integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

Max resolution over HDMI 1.4	no data	4096x2304@24Hz
Max resolution over eDP	no data	3840x2160@60Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPort	no data	3840x2160@60Hz
Max resolution over VGA	no data	1920x1200@60Hz

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Core i7-4790 integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX	no data	11.2/12
OpenGL	no data	4.3

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Core i7-4790.

PCIe version	2.00	Up to 3.0
PCI Express lanes	40	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.

Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition outperforms Core i7-4790 by 22% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

---

Pros & cons summary

---

Performance score	5.75	4.70
Recency	14 November 2011	1 May 2014
Physical cores	6	4
Threads	12	8
Chip lithography	32 nm	22 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	130 Watt	84 Watt

---

Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Core i7-4790, 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.

---