Core i7-3960X vs Core i7-7800X

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-7800X and Core i7-3960X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking	857	1095
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	6.49	1.10
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Series	Intel Core i7	Core i7 (Desktop)
Architecture codename	Skylake (server) (2017−2019)	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)
Release date	30 May 2017 (7 years ago)	14 November 2011 (12 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$389	$861
Current price	$287 (0.7x MSRP)	$350 (0.4x MSRP)

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i7-7800X has 490% better value for money than i7-3960X.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-7800X and Core i7-3960X 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 cores	6 (Hexa-Core)	6 (Hexa-Core)
Threads	12	12
Base clock speed	3.5 GHz	3.3 GHz
Boost clock speed	4 GHz	3.9 GHz
Bus support	4 × 8 GT/s	no data
L1 cache	384 KB	64 KB (per core)
L2 cache	6 MB	256 KB (per core)
L3 cache	8.25 MB (shared)	15 MB (shared)
Chip lithography	14 nm	32 nm
Die size	no data	435 mm2
Maximum core temperature	100 °C	67 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	72 °C	67 °C
Number of transistors	no data	2,270 million
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	+	-
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	Yes

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-7800X and Core i7-3960X 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 configuration	1	1
Socket	FCLGA2066	FCLGA2011
Power consumption (TDP)	140 Watt	130 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-7800X and Core i7-3960X. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512	Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX
AES-NI	+	+
AVX	+	+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
Turbo Boost Technology	2.0	2.0
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	+
TSX	+	no data
Idle States	no data	+
Thermal Monitoring	no data	+
Smart Response	no data	+
Demand Based Switching	no data	-
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Security technologies

Core i7-7800X and Core i7-3960X technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT	no data	-
EDB	+	+
Identity Protection	no data	+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-7800X and Core i7-3960X are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-7800X and Core i7-3960X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR4-2400	DDR3
Maximum memory size	128 GB	64 GB
Max memory channels	4	4
Maximum memory bandwidth	77 GB/s	51.2 GB/s
ECC memory support	-	-

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card

N/A

no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-7800X and Core i7-3960X.

PCIe version	3.0	2.0
PCI Express lanes	28	40

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.

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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.

Core i7-7800X outperforms Core i7-3960X by 53% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

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Pros & cons summary

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Performance score	8.33	5.45
Recency	30 May 2017	14 November 2011
Cost	$389	$861
Chip lithography	14 nm	32 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	140 Watt	130 Watt

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Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-7800X and Core i7-3960X, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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