Ultra 9 285K vs i7-3960X
Aggregate performance score
Core Ultra 9 285K outperforms Core i7-3960X by a whopping 711% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Primary details
Comparing Core i7-3960X and Core Ultra 9 285K processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in the ranking | 1170 | 52 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Cost-effectiveness evaluation | 0.37 | 70.59 |
| Market segment | Desktop processor | Desktop processor |
| Series | Core i7 (Desktop) | no data |
| Power efficiency | 3.87 | 32.65 |
| Architecture codename | Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) | Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) |
| Release date | 14 November 2011 (13 years ago) | 24 October 2024 (recently) |
| Launch price (MSRP) | $861 | $589 |
Cost-effectiveness evaluation
Performance per price, higher is better.
Ultra 9 285K has 18978% better value for money than i7-3960X.
Detailed specifications
Core i7-3960X and Core Ultra 9 285K 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) | 24 (Tetracosa-Core) |
| Threads | 12 | 24 |
| Base clock speed | 3.3 GHz | 3.7 GHz |
| Boost clock speed | 3.9 GHz | 5.7 GHz |
| Bus rate | 5 GT/s | 250 MHz |
| L1 cache | 64 KB (per core) | 112 KB (per core) |
| L2 cache | 256 KB (per core) | 3 MB (per core) |
| L3 cache | 15 MB (shared) | 36 MB (shared) |
| Chip lithography | 32 nm | 3 nm |
| Die size | 435 mm2 | 243 mm2 |
| Maximum case temperature (TCase) | 67 °C | no data |
| Number of transistors | 2,270 million | 17,800 million |
| 64 bit support | + | + |
| Windows 11 compatibility | - | no data |
| Unlocked multiplier | + | + |
Compatibility
Information on Core i7-3960X and Core Ultra 9 285K 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 | 1851 |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 130 Watt | 125 Watt |
Technologies and extensions
Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3960X and Core Ultra 9 285K. 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 | + | + |
| vPro | no data | + |
| Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST) | + | + |
| Turbo Boost Technology | 2.0 | no data |
| Hyper-Threading Technology | + | no data |
| TSX | - | + |
| Idle States | + | no data |
| Thermal Monitoring | + | - |
| Smart Response | + | no data |
| Demand Based Switching | - | no data |
Security technologies
Core i7-3960X and Core Ultra 9 285K technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.
| TXT | - | + |
| EDB | + | no data |
| Identity Protection | + | - |
Virtualization technologies
Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-3960X and Core Ultra 9 285K 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 Ultra 9 285K. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.
| Supported memory types | DDR3 | DDR5 Depends on motherboard |
| Maximum memory size | 64 GB | no data |
| Max memory channels | 4 | no data |
| Maximum memory bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | no data |
Graphics specifications
General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.
| Integrated graphics card | no data | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU |
Peripherals
Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3960X and Core Ultra 9 285K.
| PCIe version | 2.0 | 5.0 |
| PCI Express lanes | 40 | 20 |
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.
Passmark
Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 5.32 | 43.12 |
| Recency | 14 November 2011 | 24 October 2024 |
| Physical cores | 6 | 24 |
| Threads | 12 | 24 |
| Chip lithography | 32 nm | 3 nm |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 130 Watt | 125 Watt |
Ultra 9 285K has a 710.5% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 12 years, 300% more physical cores and 100% more threads, a 966.7% more advanced lithography process, and 4% lower power consumption.
The Core Ultra 9 285K is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-3960X in performance tests.
Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-3960X and Core Ultra 9 285K, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.
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