FX-8320 vs i7-3960X Extreme Edition

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition
2011
6 cores / 12 threads, 130 Watt
5.59
+63%
FX-8320
2012
8 cores / 8 threads, 125 Watt
3.43

Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition outperforms FX-8320 by an impressive 63% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and FX-8320 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking11531562
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i7EEno data
Power efficiency4.072.60
Architecture codenameSandy Bridge (2011−2013)Vishera (2012−2015)
Release date14 November 2011 (13 years ago)23 October 2012 (12 years ago)

Detailed specifications

Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and FX-8320 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 cores6 (Hexa-Core)8 (Octa-Core)
Threads128
Base clock speedno data3.5 GHz
Boost clock speed3.3 GHz4 GHz
Bus typeDMI 2.0no data
Bus rate5 GT/sno data
Multiplier33no data
L2 cache1,536 KB8192 KB
L3 cache15 MBno data
Chip lithography32 nm32 nm
Die size434.72 mm2315 mm2
Maximum core temperatureno data61 °C
Number of transistors2270 Million1,200 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplier-+
P0 Vcore voltageno dataMin: 1.2 V - Max: 1.4 V

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and FX-8320 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 configuration1 (Uniprocessor)1
Socketno dataAM3+
Power consumption (TDP)130 Watt125 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and FX-8320. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

AES-NI++
FMA-+
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and FX-8320 are enumerated here.

AMD-V-+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and FX-8320. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesno dataDDR3
Maximum memory size64 GBno data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and FX-8320.

PCIe version2.00n/a
PCI Express lanes40no data

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.

i7-3960X Extreme Edition 5.59
+63%
FX-8320 3.43

3DMark Fire Strike Physics

i7-3960X Extreme Edition 12460
+92.9%
FX-8320 6460

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 5.59 3.43
Recency 14 November 2011 23 October 2012
Physical cores 6 8
Threads 12 8
Power consumption (TDP) 130 Watt 125 Watt

i7-3960X Extreme Edition has a 63% higher aggregate performance score, and 50% more threads.

FX-8320, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 11 months, 33.3% more physical cores, and 4% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition is our recommended choice as it beats the FX-8320 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and FX-8320, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

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Intel Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition
Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition
AMD FX-8320
FX-8320

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Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


3.8 39 votes

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4.2 1425 votes

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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition or FX-8320, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.