Core i7-3910K vs Core i7-3960X

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-3960X and Core i7-3910K processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking	1096	not rated
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	1.08	no data
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Series	Core i7 (Desktop)	no data
Architecture codename	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)
Release date	14 November 2011 (12 years ago)	24 July 2013 (10 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$861	no data
Current price	$350 (0.4x MSRP)	$618

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-3960X and Core i7-3910K 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)	6 (Hexa-Core)
Threads	12	12
Base clock speed	3.3 GHz	3 GHz
Boost clock speed	3.9 GHz	3.6 GHz
L1 cache	64 KB (per core)	64 KB (per core)
L2 cache	256 KB (per core)	256 KB (per core)
L3 cache	15 MB (shared)	12 MB (shared)
Chip lithography	32 nm	32 nm
Die size	435 mm2	435 mm2
Maximum core temperature	67 °C	no data
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	67 °C	67 °C
Number of transistors	2,270 million	2,270 million
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	-	-
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	Yes

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-3960X and Core i7-3910K 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	2011
Power consumption (TDP)	130 Watt	130 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3960X and Core i7-3910K. 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	+	+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
Turbo Boost Technology	2.0	no data
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	+
Idle States	+	no data
Thermal Monitoring	+	no data
Smart Response	+	no data
Demand Based Switching	-	no data
Status	Discontinued	no data

Security technologies

Core i7-3960X and Core i7-3910K technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT	-	no data
EDB	+	no data
Identity Protection	+	no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-3960X and Core i7-3910K 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 i7-3910K. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR3	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 i7-3910K.

PCIe version	2.0	3.0
PCI Express lanes	40	no data

Pros & cons summary

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Recency

14 November 2011

24 July 2013

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Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-3960X and Core i7-3910K, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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