Core 2 Quad Q9550s vs Core i7-3960X

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Primary details

Comparing Core i7-3960X and Core 2 Quad Q9550s processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking1167not rated
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.38no data
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesCore i7 (Desktop)no data
Power efficiency3.87no data
Architecture codenameSandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)Yorkfield (2007−2009)
Release date14 November 2011 (12 years ago)27 January 2009 (15 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$861no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i7-3960X and Core 2 Quad Q9550s 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)4 (Quad-Core)
Threads124
Base clock speed3.3 GHz2.83 GHz
Boost clock speed3.9 GHz0.83 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/s1333 MHz
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)12 MB (shared)
L3 cache15 MB (shared)0 KB
Chip lithography32 nm45 nm
Die size435 mm22x 107 mm2
Maximum case temperature (TCase)67 °C76 °C
Number of transistors2,270 million820 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplier+-
VID voltage rangeno data0.85V-1.3625V

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-3960X and Core 2 Quad Q9550s 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 configuration11
SocketFCLGA2011LGA775
Power consumption (TDP)130 Watt65 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3960X and Core 2 Quad Q9550s. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVXno data
AES-NI+-
AVX+-
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology2.0-
Hyper-Threading Technology+-
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
Smart Response+no data
Demand Based Switching--
FSB parityno data+

Security technologies

Core i7-3960X and Core 2 Quad Q9550s technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT-+
EDB++
Identity Protection+-

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-3960X and Core 2 Quad Q9550s are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-3960X and Core 2 Quad Q9550s. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR1, DDR2, DDR3
Maximum memory size64 GBno data
Max memory channels4no data
Maximum memory bandwidth51.2 GB/sno data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataOn certain motherboards (Chipset feature)

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3960X and Core 2 Quad Q9550s.

PCIe version2.02.0
PCI Express lanes40no data

Pros & cons summary


Recency 14 November 2011 27 January 2009
Physical cores 6 4
Threads 12 4
Chip lithography 32 nm 45 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 130 Watt 65 Watt

i7-3960X has an age advantage of 2 years, 50% more physical cores and 200% more threads, and a 40.6% more advanced lithography process.

Core 2 Quad Q9550s, on the other hand, has 100% lower power consumption.

We couldn't decide between Core i7-3960X and Core 2 Quad Q9550s. We've got no test results to judge.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-3960X and Core 2 Quad Q9550s, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-3960X
Core i7-3960X
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550s
Core 2 Quad Q9550s

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Community ratings

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3.8 73 votes

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4.7 20 votes

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Questions & comments

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