Xeon E3-1278L v4 vs Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Xeon E3-1278L v4 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking	1069	not rated
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	1.23	no data
Market segment	Desktop processor	Server
Series	Intel Core i7EE	no data
Architecture codename	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Broadwell-DT (2015)
Release date	14 November 2011 (12 years ago)	2 June 2015 (9 years ago)
Current price	$350	$2946

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Xeon E3-1278L v4 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	2 GHz
Boost clock speed	3.3 GHz	3.3 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	6 MB (shared)
Chip lithography	32 nm	14 nm
Die size	434.72 mm220.9 mm × 20.8 mm	182 mm2
Number of transistors	2270 Million	no data
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	-	no data
Unlocked multiplier	No	No

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Xeon E3-1278L v4 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	Intel BGA 1364
Power consumption (TDP)	130 Watt	47 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Xeon E3-1278L v4. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

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

Security technologies

Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Xeon E3-1278L v4 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT

no data

+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Xeon E3-1278L v4 are enumerated here.

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 Xeon E3-1278L v4. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	no data	DDR3-1600
Maximum memory size	64 GB	no data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card

no data

Intel Iris Pro P6300

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Xeon E3-1278L v4.

PCIe version	2.00	3.0
PCI Express lanes	40	no data

Pros & cons summary

---

Recency	14 November 2011	2 June 2015
Physical cores	6	4
Threads	12	8
Chip lithography	32 nm	14 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	130 Watt	47 Watt

---

Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Xeon E3-1278L v4, 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.

---