Xeon W3690 vs i7-4960X

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-4960X
2013
6 cores / 12 threads, 130 Watt
6.32
+38.9%
Xeon W3690
2011
6 cores / 12 threads, 130 Watt
4.55

Core i7-4960X outperforms Xeon W3690 by a substantial 39% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-4960X and Xeon W3690 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking10691313
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.511.88
Market segmentDesktop processorServer
SeriesIntel Core i7 (Desktop)no data
Power efficiency4.603.31
Architecture codenameIvy Bridge-E (2013)Gulftown (2010−2011)
Release date3 September 2013 (11 years ago)14 February 2011 (13 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$999$450

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Xeon W3690 has 269% better value for money than i7-4960X.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-4960X and Xeon W3690 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)6 (Hexa-Core)
Threads1212
Base clock speed3.6 GHz3.46 GHz
Boost clock speed4 GHz3.73 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/sno data
L1 cache64K (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256K (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache15 MB (shared)12 MB (shared)
Chip lithography22 nm32 nm
Die size257 mm2239 mm2
Maximum core temperature67 °C68 °C
Number of transistors1,860 million1,170 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplier++

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-4960X and Xeon W3690 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
SocketFCLGA2011FCLGA1366,LGA1366
Power consumption (TDP)130 Watt130 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-4960X and Xeon W3690. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVXIntel® SSE4.2
AES-NI++
AVX+-
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology2.01.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring+-
Smart Response+no data
Demand Based Switching-+
PAEno data40 Bit

Security technologies

Core i7-4960X and Xeon W3690 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 Xeon W3690 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 Xeon W3690. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3
Maximum memory size64 GB24 GB
Max memory channels43
Maximum memory bandwidth59.7 GB/s32 GB/s
ECC memory support-+

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-4960X and Xeon W3690.

PCIe version3.02.0
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.

i7-4960X 6.32
+38.9%
Xeon W3690 4.55

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
+38.8%
Xeon W3690 7234

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
+25.8%
Xeon W3690 558

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
+33.3%
Xeon W3690 2599

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 6.32 4.55
Recency 3 September 2013 14 February 2011
Chip lithography 22 nm 32 nm

i7-4960X has a 38.9% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 2 years, and a 45.5% more advanced lithography process.

The Core i7-4960X is our recommended choice as it beats the Xeon W3690 in performance tests.

Note that Core i7-4960X is a desktop processor while Xeon W3690 is a server/workstation one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-4960X and Xeon W3690, 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 Xeon W3690
Xeon W3690

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
4 296 votes

Rate Xeon W3690 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 Xeon W3690, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.