i3-12100E vs i7-4960X

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-4960X
2013
6 cores / 12 threads, 130 Watt
6.32
Core i3-12100E
2022
4 cores / 8 threads, 60 Watt
8.97
+41.9%

Core i3-12100E outperforms Core i7-4960X by a considerable 42% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-4960X and Core i3-12100E processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking1068860
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.51no data
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i7 (Desktop)no data
Power efficiency4.6014.15
Architecture codenameIvy Bridge-E (2013)Alder Lake-S (2022)
Release date3 September 2013 (11 years ago)4 January 2022 (2 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$999no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i7-4960X and Core i3-12100E 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)4 (Quad-Core)
Threads128
Base clock speed3.6 GHz3.2 GHz
Boost clock speed4 GHz4.2 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/sno data
L1 cache64K (per core)80K (per core)
L2 cache256K (per core)1.25 MB (per core)
L3 cache15 MB (shared)12 MB (shared)
Chip lithography22 nm10 nm
Die size257 mm2163 mm2
Maximum core temperature67 °Cno data
Number of transistors1,860 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-+
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-4960X and Core i3-12100E 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 Watt60 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-4960X and Core i3-12100E. 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 i7-4960X and Core i3-12100E 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 i7-4960X and Core i3-12100E are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-4960X and Core i3-12100E. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel
Maximum memory size64 GBno data
Max memory channels4no data
Maximum memory bandwidth59.7 GB/sno data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataIntel UHD Graphics 730

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-4960X and Core i3-12100E.

PCIe version3.05.0
PCI Express lanes4020

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.

i7-4960X 6.32
i3-12100E 8.97
+41.9%

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.

i7-4960X 10042
i3-12100E 14250
+41.9%

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.

i7-4960X 702
i3-12100E 2205
+214%

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.

i7-4960X 3464
i3-12100E 7680
+122%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 6.32 8.97
Recency 3 September 2013 4 January 2022
Physical cores 6 4
Threads 12 8
Chip lithography 22 nm 10 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 130 Watt 60 Watt

i7-4960X has 50% more physical cores and 50% more threads.

i3-12100E, on the other hand, has a 41.9% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 8 years, a 120% more advanced lithography process, and 116.7% lower power consumption.

The Core i3-12100E is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-4960X in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-4960X and Core i3-12100E, 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 i7-4960X
Core i7-4960X
Intel Core i3-12100E
Core i3-12100E

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.


3.9 120 votes

Rate Core i7-4960X on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
3.1 23 votes

Rate Core i3-12100E on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i7-4960X or Core i3-12100E, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.