i5-14600KF vs i9-7960X

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Aggregate performance score

Core i9-7960X
2017
16 cores / 32 threads, 165 Watt
18.88
Core i5-14600KF
2023
14 cores / 20 threads, 125 Watt
25.75
+36.4%

Core i5-14600KF outperforms Core i9-7960X by a substantial 36% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i9-7960X and Core i5-14600KF processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking320192
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation3.2470.17
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i9no data
Power efficiency10.4118.75
Architecture codenameSkylake (server) (2017−2019)Raptor Lake-R (2023−2024)
Release date30 May 2017 (7 years ago)17 October 2023 (less than a year ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,699$294

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i5-14600KF has 2066% better value for money than i9-7960X.

Detailed specifications

Core i9-7960X and Core i5-14600KF 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 cores16 (Hexadeca-Core)14 (Tetradeca-Core)
Threads3220
Base clock speed2.8 GHz3.5 GHz
Boost clock speed4.4 GHz5.3 GHz
Bus typeDMI 3.0no data
Bus rate4 × 8 GT/sno data
L1 cache1 MB80 KB (per core)
L2 cache16 MB2 MB (per core)
L3 cache22 MB (shared)24 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nmIntel 7 nm
Die size484 mm2257 mm2
Maximum core temperature98 °C100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)no data72 °C
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility++
Unlocked multiplier++

Compatibility

Information on Core i9-7960X and Core i5-14600KF 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 configuration1 (Uniprocessor)1
SocketFCLGA2066FCLGA1700
Power consumption (TDP)165 Watt125 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-7960X and Core i5-14600KF. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Speed Shiftno data+
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX++
Idle Statesno data+
Thermal Monitoring-+
Turbo Boost Max 3.0+no data
StatusDiscontinuedLaunched
Deep Learning Boost-+

Security technologies

Core i9-7960X and Core i5-14600KF technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXTno data+
EDB++
Secure Keyno data+
OS Guardno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-7960X and Core i5-14600KF are enumerated here.

VT-d++
VT-x++
EPTno data+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i9-7960X and Core i5-14600KF. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4-2666DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200
Maximum memory size128 GB192 GB
Max memory channels42
Maximum memory bandwidth85.33 GB/s89.6 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardN/AN/A

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-7960X and Core i5-14600KF.

PCIe version3.05.0 and 4.0
PCI Express lanes4416

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.

i9-7960X 18.88
i5-14600KF 25.75
+36.4%

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.

i9-7960X 28836
i5-14600KF 39329
+36.4%

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i9-7960X 1308
i5-14600KF 2778
+112%

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i9-7960X 10332
i5-14600KF 15762
+52.6%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 18.88 25.75
Recency 30 May 2017 17 October 2023
Physical cores 16 14
Threads 32 20
Power consumption (TDP) 165 Watt 125 Watt

i9-7960X has 14.3% more physical cores and 60% more threads.

i5-14600KF, on the other hand, has a 36.4% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 6 years, and 32% lower power consumption.

The Core i5-14600KF is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i9-7960X in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-7960X and Core i5-14600KF, 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 i9-7960X
Core i9-7960X
Intel Core i5-14600KF
Core i5-14600KF

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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