i9-9820X vs i7-5960X

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-5960X
2014
8 cores / 16 threads, 140 Watt
8.03
Core i9-9820X
2018
10 cores / 20 threads, 165 Watt
12.72
+58.4%

Core i9-9820X outperforms Core i7-5960X by an impressive 58% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-5960X and Core i9-9820X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking931599
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.784.84
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesCore i7 (Desktop)Intel Core i9
Power efficiency5.437.30
Architecture codenameHaswell-E (2014)Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
Release date1 September 2014 (10 years ago)8 October 2018 (6 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$999$898

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i9-9820X has 521% better value for money than i7-5960X.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-5960X and Core i9-9820X 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 cores8 (Octa-Core)10 (Deca-Core)
Threads1620
Base clock speed3 GHz3.3 GHz
Boost clock speed3.5 GHz4.2 GHz
Bus typeno dataDMI 3.0
Bus rate0 GT/s4 × 8 GT/s
Multiplierno data33
L1 cache64K (per core)640 KB
L2 cache256K (per core)10 MB
L3 cache20 MB (shared)16.5 MB (shared)
Chip lithography22 nm14 nm
Die size356 mm2no data
Maximum core temperature67 °C92 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)no data72 °C
Number of transistors2,600 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-+
Unlocked multiplier++

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-5960X and Core i9-9820X 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 (Uniprocessor)
SocketFCLGA2011FCLGA2066
Power consumption (TDP)140 Watt165 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-5960X and Core i9-9820X. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512
AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX++
Idle States+no data
Thermal Monitoring+-
Smart Response+no data
Demand Based Switching-no data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0no data+

Security technologies

Core i7-5960X and Core i9-9820X technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+no data
EDB++
Identity Protection+-

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-5960X and Core i9-9820X are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-5960X and Core i9-9820X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4DDR4-2666
Maximum memory size64 GB128 GB
Max memory channels44
Maximum memory bandwidth68 GB/s85.33 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataN/A

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-5960X and Core i9-9820X.

PCIe version3.03.0
PCI Express lanes4044

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.

i7-5960X 8.03
i9-9820X 12.72
+58.4%

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.

i7-5960X 12748
i9-9820X 20210
+58.5%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 8.03 12.72
Recency 1 September 2014 8 October 2018
Physical cores 8 10
Threads 16 20
Chip lithography 22 nm 14 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 140 Watt 165 Watt

i7-5960X has 17.9% lower power consumption.

i9-9820X, on the other hand, has a 58.4% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 4 years, 25% more physical cores and 25% more threads, and a 57.1% more advanced lithography process.

The Core i9-9820X is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-5960X in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-5960X and Core i9-9820X, 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 i7-5960X
Core i7-5960X
Intel Core i9-9820X
Core i9-9820X

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.


3.8 223 votes

Rate Core i7-5960X on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
3.2 44 votes

Rate Core i9-9820X on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i7-5960X or Core i9-9820X, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.