AMD FX-8320E vs Intel Core i7-3960X

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Combined performance score

i7-3960X
5.47
+69.3%

Core i7-3960X outperforms FX-8320E by 69% in our combined benchmark results.

General info

Comparing Core i7-3960X and FX-8320E processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking10551478
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Value for money2.401.19
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesCore i7 (Desktop)no data
Architecture codenameSandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)Vishera (2012−2015)
Release date14 November 2011 (12 years old)2 September 2014 (9 years old)
Launch price (MSRP)$861no data
Current price$170 (0.2x MSRP)$111
Value for money

Performance per price, higher is better.

i7-3960X has 102% better value for money than FX-8320E.

Technical specs

Core i7-3960X and FX-8320E 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)8 (Octa-Core)
Threads128
Base clock speed3.3 GHz3.2 GHz
Boost clock speed3.9 GHz4 GHz
L1 cache64 KB (per core)no data
L2 cache256 KB (per core)8192 KB
L3 cache15 MB (shared)no data
Chip lithography32 nm32 nm
Die size435 mm2315 mm2
Maximum core temperature67 °C71 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)67 °Cno data
Number of transistors2,270 million1,200 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplierYesYes
P0 Vcore voltageno dataMin: 1.075 V - Max: 1.2875 V

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-3960X and FX-8320E 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
SocketFCLGA2011AM3+
Power consumption (TDP)130 Watt95 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3960X and FX-8320E. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVXno data
AES-NI++
FMAno data+
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)+no data
Turbo Boost Technology2.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology+no data
Idle States+no data
Thermal Monitoring+no data
Smart Response+no data
Demand Based Switching-no data
StatusDiscontinuedno data

Security technologies

Core i7-3960X and FX-8320E 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 FX-8320E are enumerated here.

AMD-Vno data+
VT-d+no data
VT-x+no data
EPT+no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-3960X and FX-8320E. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3
Maximum memory size64 GBno data
Max memory channels4no data
Maximum memory bandwidth51.2 GB/sno data
ECC memory support-no data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataOn certain motherboards (Chipset feature)

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3960X and FX-8320E.

PCIe version2.0n/a
PCI Express lanes40no data

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 5.47
+69.3%
FX-8320E 3.23

Core i7-3960X outperforms FX-8320E by 69% in our combined benchmark results.


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.

Benchmark coverage: 68%

i7-3960X 8397
+69.3%
FX-8320E 4960

Core i7-3960X outperforms FX-8320E by 69% in Passmark.

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.

Benchmark coverage: 42%

i7-3960X 689
+54.8%
FX-8320E 445

Core i7-3960X outperforms FX-8320E by 55% in GeekBench 5 Single-Core.

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.

Benchmark coverage: 42%

i7-3960X 3361
+99.6%
FX-8320E 1684

Core i7-3960X outperforms FX-8320E by 100% in GeekBench 5 Multi-Core.

3DMark Fire Strike Physics

Benchmark coverage: 4%

i7-3960X 12460
+92.9%
FX-8320E 6460

Core i7-3960X outperforms FX-8320E by 93% in 3DMark Fire Strike Physics.

Gaming performance

Advantages and disadvantages


Performance score 5.47 3.23
Recency 14 November 2011 2 September 2014
Physical cores 6 8
Threads 12 8
Power consumption (TDP) 130 Watt 95 Watt

The Core i7-3960X is our recommended choice as it beats the FX-8320E in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-3960X and FX-8320E, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

User ratings

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
AMD FX-8320E
FX-8320E

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User ratings: view and submit

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Questions and comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i7-3960X or FX-8320E, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.