Core i3-12100F vs Core i7-3960X

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-3960X and Core i3-12100F processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking	1096	786
Place by popularity	not in top-100	3
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	1.31	no data
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Series	Core i7 (Desktop)	no data
Architecture codename	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
Release date	14 November 2011 (12 years ago)	January 2022 (2 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$861	no data
Current price	$301 (0.3x MSRP)	$178

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-3960X and Core i3-12100F 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	3.3 GHz	3.3 GHz
Boost clock speed	3.9 GHz	4.3 GHz
L1 cache	64 KB (per core)	80K (per core)
L2 cache	256 KB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)
L3 cache	15 MB (shared)	12 MB (shared)
Chip lithography	32 nm	Intel 7 nm
Die size	435 mm2	163 mm2
Maximum core temperature	67 °C	100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	67 °C	no data
Number of transistors	2,270 million	no data
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	-	+
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	No

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-3960X and Core i3-12100F 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	FCLGA1700
Power consumption (TDP)	130 Watt	58 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3960X and Core i3-12100F. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions	Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI	+	+
AVX	+	+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
Speed Shift	no data	+
Turbo Boost Technology	2.0	2.0
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	+
TSX	no data	+
Idle States	+	+
Thermal Monitoring	+	+
Smart Response	+	no data
Demand Based Switching	-	no data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0	no data	-
Status	Discontinued	Launched

Security technologies

Core i7-3960X and Core i3-12100F technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT	-	+
EDB	+	+
Secure Key	no data	+
Identity Protection	+	no data
OS Guard	no data	+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-3960X and Core i3-12100F are enumerated here.

VT-d	+	+
VT-x	+	+
EPT	+	+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-3960X and Core i3-12100F. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR3	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Maximum memory size	64 GB	128 GB
Max memory channels	4	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	51.2 GB/s	76.8 GB/s
ECC memory support	-	no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3960X and Core i3-12100F.

PCIe version	2.0	5.0 and 4.0
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.

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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.

Core i3-12100F outperforms Core i7-3960X by 68% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

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Pros & cons summary

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Performance score	5.43	9.14
Physical cores	6	4
Threads	12	8
Power consumption (TDP)	130 Watt	58 Watt

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Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-3960X and Core i3-12100F, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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