Ryzen 9 9950X3D vs i7-3960X Extreme Edition
Aggregate performance score
Ryzen 9 9950X3D outperforms Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition by a whopping 694% 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 | 1276 | 58 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | 77 |
| Cost-effectiveness evaluation | no data | 65.33 |
| Market segment | Desktop processor | Desktop processor |
| Series | Intel Core i7EE | no data |
| Power efficiency | 4.09 | 24.81 |
| Designer | Intel | AMD |
| Manufacturer | no data | TSMC |
| Architecture codename | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Granite Ridge (2024−2025) |
| Release date | 14 November 2011 (13 years ago) | 6 January 2025 (less than a year ago) |
| Launch price (MSRP) | no data | $699 |
Cost-effectiveness evaluation
Performance per price, higher is better.
Performance to price scatter graph
Detailed specifications
Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Ryzen 9 9950X3D 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) | 16 (Hexadeca-Core) |
| Threads | 12 | 32 |
| Base clock speed | no data | 4.3 GHz |
| Boost clock speed | 3.3 GHz | 5.7 GHz |
| Bus type | DMI 2.0 | no data |
| Bus rate | 5 GT/s | no data |
| Multiplier | 33 | no data |
| L1 cache | no data | 80 KB (per core) |
| L2 cache | 1,536 KB | 1 MB (per core) |
| L3 cache | 15 MB | 128 MB (shared) |
| Chip lithography | 32 nm | 4 nm |
| Die size | 434.72 mm2 | 2x 70.6 mm2 |
| Number of transistors | 2270 Million | 16,630 million |
| 64 bit support | + | + |
| Windows 11 compatibility | - | no data |
| Unlocked multiplier | - | + |
Compatibility
Information on Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Ryzen 9 9950X3D 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 | AM5 |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 130 Watt | 170 Watt |
Technologies and extensions
Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Ryzen 9 9950X3D. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.
| AES-NI | + | + |
| AVX | + | + |
| Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST) | + | no data |
| Precision Boost 2 | no data | + |
Virtualization technologies
Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Ryzen 9 9950X3D are enumerated here.
| AMD-V | - | + |
Memory specs
Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Ryzen 9 9950X3D. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.
| Supported memory types | no data | DDR5 |
| Maximum memory size | 64 GB | no data |
Graphics specifications
General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.
| Integrated graphics card | no data | AMD Radeon Graphics |
Peripherals
Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Ryzen 9 9950X3D.
| PCIe version | 2.00 | 5.0 |
| PCI Express lanes | 40 | 24 |
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 5.52 | 43.81 |
| Recency | 14 November 2011 | 6 January 2025 |
| Physical cores | 6 | 16 |
| Threads | 12 | 32 |
| Chip lithography | 32 nm | 4 nm |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 130 Watt | 170 Watt |
i7-3960X Extreme Edition has 30.8% lower power consumption.
Ryzen 9 9950X3D, on the other hand, has a 693.7% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 13 years, 166.7% more physical cores and 166.7% more threads, and a 700% more advanced lithography process.
The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is our recommended choice as it beats the Intel Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition in performance tests.
Other comparisons
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