Core i9-9960X vs Core i9-7900X

Primary details

Comparing Core i9-7900X and Core i9-9960X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking	508	266
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	7.61	12.18
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Series	Core i9 (Desktop)	Intel Core i9
Architecture codename	Skylake-X (2018)	Skylake (server) (2017−2019)
Release date	26 June 2017 (7 years ago)	19 October 2018 (5 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$999	$1,684
Current price	$531 (0.5x MSRP)	$849 (0.5x MSRP)

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i9-9960X has 60% better value for money than i9-7900X.

Detailed specifications

Core i9-7900X and Core i9-9960X 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	10 (Deca-Core)	16 (Hexadeca-Core)
Threads	20	32
Base clock speed	3.3 GHz	3.1 GHz
Boost clock speed	4.5 GHz	4.5 GHz
Bus support	no data	4 × 8 GT/s
L1 cache	64 KB (per core)	64 KB (per core)
L2 cache	1 MB (per core)	1 MB (per core)
L3 cache	14 MB (shared)	22 MB (shared)
Chip lithography	14 nm	14 nm
Die size	no data	484 mm2
Maximum core temperature	95 °C	85 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	72 °C	no data
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	+	+
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	Yes

Compatibility

Information on Core i9-7900X and Core i9-9960X 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	Socket R4	FCLGA2066
Power consumption (TDP)	140 Watt	165 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-7900X and Core i9-9960X. 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® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512
AES-NI	+	+
AVX	+	+
vPro	+	no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
Turbo Boost Technology	2.0	2.0
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	+
TSX	+	+
Turbo Boost Max 3.0	+	+
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Security technologies

Core i9-7900X and Core i9-9960X technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

EDB

+

+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-7900X and Core i9-9960X are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i9-7900X and Core i9-9960X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR4	DDR4-2666
Maximum memory size	128 GB	128 GB
Max memory channels	4	4
Maximum memory bandwidth	85 GB/s	85 GB/s
ECC memory support	-	-

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card

N/A

N/A

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-7900X and Core i9-9960X.

PCIe version	3.0	3.0
PCI Express lanes	44	44

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 i9-9960X outperforms Core i9-7900X by 44% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

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Pros & cons summary

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Performance score	13.65	19.63
Recency	26 June 2017	19 October 2018
Physical cores	10	16
Threads	20	32
Cost	$999	$1684
Power consumption (TDP)	140 Watt	165 Watt

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Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-7900X and Core i9-9960X, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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