Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition vs Core i7-7800X

#ad 
Buy on Amazon
VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-7800X
2017
6 cores / 12 threads, 140 Watt
8.33
+44.9%
Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition
2011
6 cores / 12 threads, 130 Watt
5.75

i7-7800X outperforms i7-3960X Extreme Edition by a considerable 45% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

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

Place in performance ranking8561069
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation6.471.23
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i7Intel Core i7EE
Architecture codenameSkylake (server) (2017−2019)Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Release date26 June 2017 (7 years ago)14 November 2011 (12 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$389no data
Current price$287 (0.7x MSRP)$350

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i7-7800X has 426% better value for money than i7-3960X Extreme Edition.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-7800X and Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition 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 speed3.5 GHzno data
Boost clock speed4 GHz3.3 GHz
Bus support4 × 8 GT/s5 GT/s
L1 cache64 KB (per core)no data
L2 cache1 MB (per core)1,536 KB
L3 cache8.25 MB (shared)15 MB
Chip lithography14 nm32 nm
Die sizeno data434.72 mm220.9 mm × 20.8 mm
Maximum core temperature100 °Cno data
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °Cno data
Number of transistorsno data2270 Million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility+-
Unlocked multiplierYesNo

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-7800X and Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition 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)
SocketFCLGA2066no data
Power consumption (TDP)140 Watt130 Watt

Technologies and extensions

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

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512no data
AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology2.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology+no data
TSX+no data
StatusDiscontinuedno data

Security technologies

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

EDB+no data

Virtualization technologies

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

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

Memory specs

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

Supported memory typesDDR4-2400no data
Maximum memory size128 GB64 GB
Max memory channels4no data
Maximum memory bandwidth77 GB/sno data
ECC memory support-no data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardN/Ano data

Peripherals

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

PCIe version3.02.00
PCI Express lanes2840

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 8.33 5.75
Recency 26 June 2017 14 November 2011
Chip lithography 14 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 140 Watt 130 Watt

The Core i7-7800X is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-7800X and Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition, 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 i7-7800X
Core i7-7800X
Intel Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition
Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition

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.


3.9 173 votes

Rate Core i7-7800X on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
3.8 38 votes

Rate Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i7-7800X or Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.