i3-530 vs i7-4960X

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-4960X
2013
6 cores / 12 threads, 130 Watt
6.32
+565%
Core i3-530
2010
2 cores / 4 threads, 73 Watt
0.95

Core i7-4960X outperforms Core i3-530 by a whopping 565% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-4960X and Core i3-530 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking10692521
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.510.14
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i7 (Desktop)no data
Power efficiency4.601.23
Architecture codenameIvy Bridge-E (2013)Clarkdale (2010−2011)
Release date3 September 2013 (11 years ago)7 January 2010 (14 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$999$60

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i7-4960X has 264% better value for money than i3-530.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-4960X and Core i3-530 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)2 (Dual-core)
Threads124
Base clock speed3.6 GHz2.93 GHz
Boost clock speed4 GHz0.93 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/s2.5 GT/s
L1 cache64K (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256K (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache15 MB (shared)4 MB (shared)
Chip lithography22 nm32 nm
Die size257 mm281 mm2
Maximum core temperature67 °C73 °C
Number of transistors1,860 million382 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplier+-
VID voltage rangeno data0.65V-1.4V

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-4960X and Core i3-530 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
SocketFCLGA2011FCLGA1156
Power consumption (TDP)130 Watt73 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-4960X and Core i3-530. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVXIntel® SSE4.2
AES-NI+-
AVX+-
vProno data-
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology2.0-
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring+-
Smart Response+no data
Demand Based Switching--
PAEno data36 Bit
FDIno data+

Security technologies

Core i7-4960X and Core i3-530 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT--
EDB++
Identity Protection+-

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-4960X and Core i3-530 are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-4960X and Core i3-530. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3
Maximum memory size64 GB16.38 GB
Max memory channels42
Maximum memory bandwidth59.7 GB/s21 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataIntel HD Graphics for Previous Generation Intel Processors
Clear Video HDno data+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-4960X and Core i3-530 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data2

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-4960X and Core i3-530.

PCIe version3.02.0
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.

i7-4960X 6.32
+565%
i3-530 0.95

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
+569%
i3-530 1502

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
+93.9%
i3-530 362

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
+362%
i3-530 750

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 6.32 0.95
Recency 3 September 2013 7 January 2010
Physical cores 6 2
Threads 12 4
Chip lithography 22 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 130 Watt 73 Watt

i7-4960X has a 565.3% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 3 years, 200% more physical cores and 200% more threads, and a 45.5% more advanced lithography process.

i3-530, on the other hand, has 78.1% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-4960X is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-530 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-4960X and Core i3-530, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-4960X
Core i7-4960X
Intel Core i3-530
Core i3-530

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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