i7-7740X vs i7-3960X Extreme Edition
Aggregate performance score
Core i7-7740X outperforms Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition by a small 9% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Contents
Primary details
Comparing processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in the ranking | 1422 | 1360 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Cost-effectiveness evaluation | no data | 1.38 |
| Market segment | Desktop processor | Desktop processor |
| Series | Intel Core i7EE | Core i7 (Desktop) |
| Power efficiency | 1.65 | 2.09 |
| Designer | Intel | Intel |
| Manufacturer | no data | Intel |
| Architecture codename | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Kaby Lake-X (2017) |
| Release date | 14 November 2011 (14 years ago) | 26 June 2017 (8 years ago) |
| Launch price (MSRP) | no data | $339 |
Cost-effectiveness evaluation
Performance per price, higher is better.
Performance to price scatter graph
Detailed specifications
Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Core i7-7740X 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 | 4.3 GHz |
| Boost clock speed | 3.3 GHz | 4.5 GHz |
| Bus type | DMI 2.0 | DMI 3.0 |
| Bus rate | 5 GT/s | 4 × 8 GT/s |
| Multiplier | 33 | 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 | 14 nm |
| Die size | 434.72 mm2 | no data |
| Maximum core temperature | no data | 100 °C |
| Maximum case temperature (TCase) | no data | 72 °C |
| Number of transistors | 2270 Million | no data |
| 64 bit support | + | + |
| Windows 11 compatibility | - | - |
| Unlocked multiplier | - | + |
Compatibility
Information on Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Core i7-7740X 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 | no data | FCLGA2066 |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 130 Watt | 112 Watt |
Technologies and extensions
Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Core i7-7740X. 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) | + | + |
| Turbo Boost Technology | no data | 2.0 |
| Hyper-Threading Technology | no data | + |
| TSX | - | + |
Virtualization technologies
Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Core i7-7740X are enumerated here.
| AMD-V | - | + |
| VT-d | no data | + |
| VT-x | no data | + |
Memory specs
Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Core i7-7740X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.
| Supported memory types | no data | DDR4 |
| Maximum memory size | 64 GB | 64 GB |
| Max memory channels | no data | 2 |
| Maximum memory bandwidth | no data | 42.671 GB/s |
Graphics specifications
General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.
| Integrated graphics card | no data | HD 630 |
Peripherals
Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Core i7-7740X.
| PCIe version | 2.00 | 3.0 |
| PCI Express lanes | 40 | 16 |
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 5.07 | 5.54 |
| Recency | 14 November 2011 | 26 June 2017 |
| Physical cores | 6 | 4 |
| Threads | 12 | 8 |
| Chip lithography | 32 nm | 14 nm |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 130 Watt | 112 Watt |
i7-3960X Extreme Edition has 50% more physical cores and 50% more threads.
i7-7740X, on the other hand, has a 9.3% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 5 years, a 128.6% more advanced lithography process, and 16.1% lower power consumption.
Given the minimal performance differences, no clear winner can be declared between Intel Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Intel Core i7-7740X.
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