Core i3-6100U vs Core i9-7960X

Primary details

Comparing Core i9-7960X and Core i3-6100U processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking	293	1962
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	3.47	no data
Market segment	Desktop processor	Laptop
Series	Intel Core i9	Intel Core i3
Architecture codename	Skylake (server) (2017−2019)	Skylake (2015−2016)
Release date	1 September 2017 (6 years ago)	1 September 2015 (8 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$1,699	$281
Current price	$2066 (1.2x MSRP)	$430 (1.5x MSRP)

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Detailed specifications

Core i9-7960X and Core i3-6100U 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	16 (Hexadeca-Core)	2 (Dual-core)
Threads	32	4
Base clock speed	2.8 GHz	2.3 GHz
Boost clock speed	4.4 GHz	2.3 GHz
Bus support	4 × 8 GT/s	no data
L1 cache	64 KB (per core)	128 KB
L2 cache	1 MB (per core)	512 KB
L3 cache	22 MB (shared)	3 MB
Chip lithography	14 nm	14 nm
Die size	484 mm2	99 mm2
Maximum core temperature	98 °C	100 °C
Number of transistors	no data	1750 Million
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	+	-
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	No

Compatibility

Information on Core i9-7960X and Core i3-6100U 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	FCBGA1356
Power consumption (TDP)	165 Watt	15 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-7960X and Core i3-6100U. 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
AES-NI	+	+
AVX	+	+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
My WiFi	no data	+
Turbo Boost Technology	2.0	-
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	+
TSX	+	-
Idle States	no data	+
Thermal Monitoring	no data	+
Flex Memory Access	no data	+
SIPP	no data	-
Smart Response	no data	+
Turbo Boost Max 3.0	+	no data
Status	Discontinued	Launched

Security technologies

Core i9-7960X and Core i3-6100U technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT	no data	-
EDB	+	+
Secure Key	no data	+
MPX	no data	+
Identity Protection	no data	+
SGX	no data	Yes with Intel® ME
OS Guard	no data	+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-7960X and Core i3-6100U are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i9-7960X and Core i3-6100U. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR4-2666	DDR3, DDR4
Maximum memory size	128 GB	32 GB
Max memory channels	4	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	85 GB/s	34.1 GB/s
ECC memory support	-	-

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card	N/A	Intel HD Graphics 520
Max video memory	no data	32 GB
Quick Sync Video	no data	+
Clear Video	no data	+
Clear Video HD	no data	+
Graphics max frequency	no data	1 GHz
InTru 3D	no data	+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i9-7960X and Core i3-6100U integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported	no data	3
eDP	no data	+
DisplayPort	no data	+
HDMI	no data	+
DVI	no data	+

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i9-7960X and Core i3-6100U integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

4K resolution support	no data	+
Max resolution over HDMI 1.4	no data	4096x2304@24Hz
Max resolution over eDP	no data	4096x2304@60Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPort	no data	4096x2304@60Hz

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i9-7960X and Core i3-6100U integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX	no data	12
OpenGL	no data	4.5

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-7960X and Core i3-6100U.

PCIe version	3.0	3.0
PCI Express lanes	44	12

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 i9-7960X outperforms Core i3-6100U by 992% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

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Pros & cons summary

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Performance score	18.57	1.70
Recency	1 September 2017	1 September 2015
Physical cores	16	2
Threads	32	4
Cost	$1699	$281
Power consumption (TDP)	165 Watt	15 Watt

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Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-7960X and Core i3-6100U, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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