i5-4590 vs i9-7960X

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i9-7960X
2017
16 cores / 32 threads, 165 Watt
18.14
+437%
Core i5-4590
2014
4 cores / 4 threads, 84 Watt
3.38

Core i9-7960X outperforms Core i5-4590 by a whopping 437% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i9-7960X and Core i5-4590 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking3361568
Place by popularitynot in top-10051
Cost-effectiveness evaluation3.250.71
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i9Core i5 (Desktop)
Power efficiency10.403.81
Architecture codenameSkylake (server) (2017−2018)Haswell (2013−2015)
Release date1 September 2017 (7 years ago)1 May 2014 (10 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,699$202

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i9-7960X has 358% better value for money than i5-4590.

Detailed specifications

Core i9-7960X and Core i5-4590 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)4 (Quad-Core)
Threads324
Base clock speed2.8 GHz3.3 GHz
Boost clock speed4.4 GHz3.7 GHz
Bus typeDMI 3.0no data
Bus rate4 × 8 GT/s5 GT/s
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64K (per core)
L2 cache1 MB (per core)256K (per core)
L3 cache22 MB (shared)6 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nm22 nm
Die size484 mm2177 mm2
Maximum core temperature98 °Cno data
Maximum case temperature (TCase)no data72 °C
Number of transistorsno data1,400 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility+-
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i9-7960X and Core i5-4590 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
SocketFCLGA2066FCLGA1150
Power consumption (TDP)165 Watt84 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-7960X and Core i5-4590. 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++
vProno data+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
My WiFino data+
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology+-
TSX+-
Idle Statesno data+
Thermal Monitoring-+
SIPP-+
Turbo Boost Max 3.0+no data
FDIno data+

Security technologies

Core i9-7960X and Core i5-4590 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXTno data+
EDB++
Secure Keyno data+
Identity Protection-+
OS Guardno data+
Anti-Theftno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-7960X and Core i5-4590 are enumerated here.

AMD-V-+
VT-d++
VT-x++
EPTno data+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i9-7960X and Core i5-4590. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4-2666DDR3
Maximum memory size128 GB32 GB
Max memory channels42
Maximum memory bandwidth85.33 GB/s25.6 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardN/AIntel HD Graphics 4600
Max video memoryno data2 GB
Quick Sync Video-+
Clear Video HDno data+
Graphics max frequencyno data1.15 GHz
InTru 3Dno data+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i9-7960X and Core i5-4590 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data3
eDPno data+
DisplayPort-+
HDMI-+
VGAno data+

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i9-7960X and Core i5-4590 integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

Max resolution over HDMI 1.4no data4096x2304@24Hz
Max resolution over eDPno data3840x2160@60Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPortno data3840x2160@60Hz
Max resolution over VGAno data1920x1200@60Hz

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i9-7960X and Core i5-4590 integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectXno data11.2/12
OpenGLno data4.3

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-7960X and Core i5-4590.

PCIe version3.0Up to 3.0
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 18.14
+437%
i5-4590 3.38

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 28808
+436%
i5-4590 5372

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 1307
+14.6%
i5-4590 1140

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 10286
+227%
i5-4590 3150

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 18.14 3.38
Recency 1 September 2017 1 May 2014
Physical cores 16 4
Threads 32 4
Chip lithography 14 nm 22 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 165 Watt 84 Watt

i9-7960X has a 436.7% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 3 years, 300% more physical cores and 700% more threads, and a 57.1% more advanced lithography process.

i5-4590, on the other hand, has 96.4% lower power consumption.

The Core i9-7960X is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i5-4590 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-7960X and Core i5-4590, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i9-7960X
Core i9-7960X
Intel Core i5-4590
Core i5-4590

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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