Core 2 Quad Q9550s vs Core i7-3960X

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 performance ranking	1095	not rated
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	1.10	no data
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Series	Core i7 (Desktop)	no data
Architecture codename	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)	Yorkfield (2007−2009)
Release date	14 November 2011 (12 years ago)	January 2009 (15 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$861	no data
Current price	$350 (0.4x MSRP)	$90

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

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 cores	6 (Hexa-Core)	4 (Quad-Core)
Threads	12	4
Base clock speed	3.3 GHz	2.83 GHz
Boost clock speed	3.9 GHz	2.83 GHz
L1 cache	64 KB (per core)	64K (per core)
L2 cache	256 KB (per core)	12 MB (shared)
L3 cache	15 MB (shared)	0 KB
Chip lithography	32 nm	45 nm
Die size	435 mm2	2x 107 mm2
Maximum core temperature	67 °C	76 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	67 °C	76 °C
Number of transistors	2,270 million	820 million
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	-	-
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	No
VID voltage range	no data	0.85V-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 configuration	1	1
Socket	FCLGA2011	LGA775
Power consumption (TDP)	130 Watt	65 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 extensions	Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX	no data
AES-NI	+	-
AVX	+	no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
Turbo Boost Technology	2.0	-
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	-
Idle States	+	+
Thermal Monitoring	+	+
Smart Response	+	no data
Demand Based Switching	-	-
FSB parity	no data	+
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

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	+	no data

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 types	DDR3	DDR1, DDR2, DDR3
Maximum memory size	64 GB	no data
Max memory channels	4	no data
Maximum memory bandwidth	51.2 GB/s	no data
ECC memory support	-	no data

Peripherals

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

PCIe version	2.0	no data
PCI Express lanes	40	no data

Pros & cons summary

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Physical cores	6	4
Threads	12	4
Chip lithography	32 nm	45 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	130 Watt	65 Watt

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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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