Ryzen 9 9950X vs i7-965

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-965
2008
4 cores / 8 threads, 130 Watt
2.24
Ryzen 9 9950X
2024
16 cores / 32 threads, 170 Watt
43.37
+1836%

Ryzen 9 9950X outperforms Core i7-965 by a whopping 1836% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-965 and Ryzen 9 9950X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking184358
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation2.4563.97
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Power efficiency1.5723.26
Architecture codenameBloomfield (2008−2010)Granite Ridge (2024)
Release dateNovember 2008 (16 years ago)15 August 2024 (less than a year ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,509$649

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Ryzen 9 9950X has 2511% better value for money than i7-965.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-965 and Ryzen 9 9950X 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 cores4 (Quad-Core)16 (Hexadeca-Core)
Threads832
Base clock speed3.2 GHz4.3 GHz
Boost clock speed3.46 GHz5.7 GHz
Bus rate6.4 GT/sno data
L1 cache64 KB (per core)80 KB (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)1 MB (per core)
L3 cache8 MB (shared)64 MB (shared)
Chip lithography45 nm4 nm
Die size263 mm22x 70.6 mm2
Maximum core temperature68 °C95 °C
Number of transistors731 million16,630 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-no data
Unlocked multiplier++

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-965 and Ryzen 9 9950X 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
SocketFCLGA1366AM5
Power consumption (TDP)130 Watt170 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-965 and Ryzen 9 9950X. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2SMT, AES, AVX, AVX2, AVX512, FMA3, MMX (+), SHA, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, SSE4A
AES-NI-+
AVX-+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)+no data
Turbo Boost Technology1.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology+no data
Idle States+no data
Demand Based Switching-no data
PAE36 Bitno data
Precision Boost 2no data+

Security technologies

Core i7-965 and Ryzen 9 9950X technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+no data
EDB+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-965 and Ryzen 9 9950X are enumerated here.

AMD-V-+
VT-x+no data
EPT+no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-965 and Ryzen 9 9950X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR5
Maximum memory size24 GBno data
Max memory channels3no data
Maximum memory bandwidth25.6 GB/sno data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataAMD Radeon Graphics

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-965 and Ryzen 9 9950X.

PCIe versionno data5.0
PCI Express lanesno data24

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.

i7-965 2.24
Ryzen 9 9950X 43.37
+1836%

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.

i7-965 3424
Ryzen 9 9950X 66368
+1838%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 2.24 43.37
Physical cores 4 16
Threads 8 32
Chip lithography 45 nm 4 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 130 Watt 170 Watt

i7-965 has 30.8% lower power consumption.

Ryzen 9 9950X, on the other hand, has a 1836.2% higher aggregate performance score, 300% more physical cores and 300% more threads, and a 1025% more advanced lithography process.

The Ryzen 9 9950X is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-965 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-965 and Ryzen 9 9950X, 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 i7-965
Core i7-965
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
Ryzen 9 9950X

Similar processor comparisons

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Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


3.2 24 votes

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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i7-965 or Ryzen 9 9950X, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.