i5-14400F vs i7-3960X

#ad 
Buy on Amazon
VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-3960X
2011
6 cores / 12 threads, 130 Watt
5.32
Core i5-14400F
2024
10 cores / 16 threads, 65 Watt
16.23
+205%

Core i5-14400F outperforms Core i7-3960X by a whopping 205% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-3960X and Core i5-14400F processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking1182413
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.4260.34
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesCore i7 (Desktop)no data
Power efficiency3.8723.63
Architecture codenameSandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)Raptor Lake-R (2023−2024)
Release date14 November 2011 (13 years ago)8 January 2024 (less than a year ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$861$196

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i5-14400F has 14267% better value for money than i7-3960X.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-3960X and Core i5-14400F 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)10 (Deca-Core)
Threads1216
Base clock speed3.3 GHz2.5 GHz
Boost clock speed3.9 GHz4.7 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/sno data
L1 cache64 KB (per core)80 KB (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)1.25 MB (per core)
L3 cache15 MB (shared)20 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nm10 nm
Die size435 mm2215 mm2
Maximum case temperature (TCase)67 °Cno data
Number of transistors2,270 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-+
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-3960X and Core i5-14400F 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
SocketFCLGA20111700
Power consumption (TDP)130 Watt65 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3960X and Core i5-14400F. 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 Technology2.0no 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 i5-14400F 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 i5-14400F 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 i5-14400F. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR4, DDR5
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 dataN/A

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3960X and Core i5-14400F.

PCIe version2.05.0
PCI Express lanes4016

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.

i7-3960X 5.32
i5-14400F 16.23
+205%

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.

i7-3960X 8458
i5-14400F 25784
+205%

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i7-3960X 661
i5-14400F 2343
+254%

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i7-3960X 3210
i5-14400F 11418
+256%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 5.32 16.23
Recency 14 November 2011 8 January 2024
Physical cores 6 10
Threads 12 16
Chip lithography 32 nm 10 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 130 Watt 65 Watt

i5-14400F has a 205.1% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 12 years, 66.7% more physical cores and 33.3% more threads, a 220% more advanced lithography process, and 100% lower power consumption.

The Core i5-14400F 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 i5-14400F, 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.


Intel Core i7-3960X
Core i7-3960X
Intel Core i5-14400F
Core i5-14400F

Similar processor comparisons

We picked several similar comparisons of processors in the same market segment and performance relatively close to those reviewed on this page.

Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


3.8 75 votes

Rate Core i7-3960X on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
3.8 626 votes

Rate Core i5-14400F on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i7-3960X or Core i5-14400F, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.