Core i7-3960X

Details and Benchmarks for Intel Core i7-3960X

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Please take all results with a big grain of salt. Sysbuilds is in alpha stage at the moment which can lead to wrong data, strange counting errors, silly results and more. This site is under active development.

Benchmark Results

Combined benchmark scores based on multiple data points, giving a quick overview of this processor's performance.

Overall Score

Overall score for Core i7-3960X based on all benchmark results gathered. Look at this like a meta score, you will find more specific workload ratings below.

5,249 Rank: 660
Rank Name Score Visual
656 Core i5-4670K 5,251
+0%
657 Core i7-8559U 5,250
+0%
658 Core i5-8400T 5,250
+0%
659 Core i7-4771 5,250
+0%
660 Core i7-3960X 5,249
661 FX-8370E 5,249
+0%
662 Core i5-10300H 5,248
+-0%
663 Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 5,246
-0.1%
664 Ryzen 5 PRO 3400GE 5,245
-0.1%
665 Core i5-8305G 5,245
-0.1%

View full ranking →

Multicore Score

Multicore performance score for Core i7-3960X based on multi-threaded benchmark results.

5,241 Rank: 498
Rank Name Score Visual
494 Core i5-9600KF 5,245
+0.1%
495 Xeon D-1541 5,243
+0%
496 Intel Core i7-4770R 5,243
+0%
497 Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE 5,243
+0%
498 Core i7-3960X 5,241
499 Xeon D-1540 5,236
-0.1%
500 Core i5-10600K 5,236
-0.1%
501 Xeon D-1587 5,227
-0.3%
502 Ryzen 7 5700U 5,221
-0.4%
503 Core i5-9600K 5,218
-0.4%

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Singlecore Score

Single-core performance score for Core i7-3960X based on single-threaded benchmark results.

5,255 Rank: 765
Rank Name Score Visual
761 Xeon D-2183IT 5,261
+0.1%
762 EPYC 7232P 5,260
+0.1%
763 Pentium G4400 5,258
+0.1%
764 Core i7-5700HQ 5,258
+0.1%
765 Core i7-3960X 5,255
766 Pentium Gold G5420 5,254
+-0%
767 Core i7-4820K 5,253
+-0%
768 Core i5-6287U 5,250
-0.1%
769 Xeon W-2123 5,247
-0.2%
770 Ryzen 5 PRO 3400GE 5,244
-0.2%

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Workload Scores

Performance scores grouped by workload type, normalized and aggregated from multiple raw benchmark results.

Number Crunching

Aggregated score for Core i7-3960X based on integer math, floating point math, and prime number computation benchmarks.

4,744 Rank: 589
Rank Name Score Visual
585 Core i7-7700K 4,747
+0.1%
586 Core i5-8500B 4,746
+0%
587 Xeon E5-2650L v2 4,746
+0%
588 Core i7-5775R 4,744
+0%
589 Core i7-3960X 4,744
590 Core i7-8559U 4,743
+-0%
591 Xeon D-1539 4,743
+-0%
592 Xeon E3-1285 v6 4,742
+-0%
593 Xeon E5-2608L v4 4,742
+-0%
594 Xeon E-2144G 4,742
+-0%

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Data Processing

Aggregated score for Core i7-3960X based on data encryption, data compression, and string sorting benchmarks.

4,804 Rank: 552
Rank Name Score Visual
548 Ryzen 3 PRO 4450U 4,811
+0.1%
549 Xeon Silver 4110 4,810
+0.1%
550 Core i5-10400T 4,810
+0.1%
551 Core i9-8950HK 4,808
+0.1%
552 Core i7-3960X 4,804
553 Ryzen 3 7330U 4,804
+0%
554 Core i7-8700T 4,803
+-0%
555 Ryzen 7 2800H 4,803
+-0%
556 Ryzen Embedded V1807B 4,802
+-0%
557 Core i7-8850H 4,801
-0.1%

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Physics & Compute

Aggregated score for Core i7-3960X based on physics simulation and extended instruction set (SSE/AVX) benchmarks.

4,778 Rank: 607
Rank Name Score Visual
603 Core i5-7640X 4,782
+0.1%
604 Core i7-4980HQ 4,780
+0%
605 Core i5-1038NG7 4,780
+0%
606 Xeon E-2224 4,778
+0%
607 Core i7-3960X 4,778
608 Xeon E5-2650 v2 4,778
+0%
609 Core i3-8350K 4,777
+-0%
610 Xeon E3-1270 v5 4,776
+-0%
611 Xeon E-2124 4,776
+-0%
612 Core i7-4870HQ 4,775
-0.1%

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Core i7-3960X Details

Built on Intel's Sandy Bridge-E architecture at a 32 nm process node, the Core i7-3960X is a high-performance desktop processor that was launched in November 2011. As of March 2026, this CPU is over 14 years old, placing it well beyond its modern relevance in today's computing landscape. Despite its age, it remains a notable example of Intel's early efforts to deliver extreme performance for enthusiasts and professionals, particularly in multi-threaded workloads. The processor is part of the Core i7 Extreme lineup and features a 6-core, 12-thread design, leveraging Intel Hyper-Threading to maximize thread throughput. It operates at a base frequency of 3.3 GHz, with a turbo boost up to 3.9 GHz, and is manufactured using 2.27 billion transistors across a 435 mm² die. The chip supports quad-channel DDR3 memory, with a maximum speed of 1600 MT/s and a peak bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, making it capable of handling memory-intensive applications for its era.

The Core i7-3960X operates at a 130 W TDP, requiring robust cooling solutions due to its high power draw and heat output. It uses the LGA1150 socket and supports Intel's PCI Express 3.0 interface with up to 40 lanes. The processor includes a 15 MB L3 cache, with 0.061 MiB of L1 and 0.244 MiB of L2 cache, ensuring efficient data access across its cores. While it lacks integrated graphics, it relies on a discrete GPU for visual output. The CPU supports a wide range of advanced features, including AVX, AES-NI, Intel VT-x, VT-d, EPT, and TXT, enabling virtualization, encryption, and secure computing. It also features an unlocked multiplier, making it a favorite among overclockers who sought to push performance beyond stock limits.

In benchmark testing, the Core i7-3960X achieves an Overall Score of 5249, ranking #660 out of 2060 processors, with a Singlecore Score of 5255 (#765) and a Multicore Score of 5241 (#498). These results place it firmly in the upper tier of older-generation desktop CPUs, competing closely with modern mid-tier chips like the Core i5-10600K and Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GE. However, in the broader context of today’s processors, it trails significantly behind the top performers—only ranking #50 in the multicore top 50 list, far behind leaders like the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9995WX and Core Ultra 9 285K. Its strength lies in single-core performance, where it ranks among the top 800, but it struggles to keep pace in modern multi-threaded environments.

Given its age and power consumption, the Core i7-3960X is no longer suitable for mainstream or even high-end consumer use. It may still serve niche applications in legacy systems or enthusiast builds focused on vintage performance. For users seeking modern performance, contemporary CPUs offer vastly superior efficiency, integrated graphics, and support for newer technologies. As of 2026, the Core i7-3960X stands as a historical benchmark of Intel’s past ambitions in the extreme desktop market, but it has been decisively surpassed by the rapid evolution of processor technology.
Frequently Compared

AMD Ryzen 7 2700 41 views

Intel Xeon Silver 4116 36 views

AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE 35 views

Intel Xeon Silver 4110 33 views

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1900X 33 views

Intel Core i7-7700HQ 32 views

Intel Xeon Silver 4210 32 views

Intel Xeon Silver 4114 31 views

AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 3900 30 views

AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3500U 30 views

Intel Core i7-3960X

Main Specifications

Designer: Intel
Name: Core i7-3960X
Model Number: i7-3960X
Cores: 6
Threads: 12
Base Frequency: 3300 MHz
Clock Multiplier: 33x (unlocked)
Core Name: Sandy Bridge-E
Socket: FCLGA1150
Package: FC-LGA10
Target Segment: Desktop
Max CPUs: 1
TDP: 130 W

Cache Specifications

L1 Cache: 62.464 KiB
L2 Cache: 0.244 MiB
L3 Cache: 14.305 MiB

Memory Specifications

Supported Memory Type: DDR3 1066/1333/1600
Memory Channels: 4
Maximum Memory: 0 GB
Maximum Bandwidth: 51.2 GB/s
ECC Support: No

PCI-Express Specifications

PCIe Revision: 2.0
PCIe Lanes: 40
PCIe Configuration: 1x16, 2x8, 1x8/2x4

Integrated Graphics

GPU: None
GPU Designer: Intel
GPU Max Frequency: 1150 MHz

Physical Specifications

Process: 32 nm
Die Area: 435 mm²
Manufacturer: Intel
Word Size: 64-bit

CPU Features

MMX SSE SSE2 SSE3 SSSE3 SSE4.1 SSE4.2 AVX AES x86-64 HT EIST TXT vPro VT-x VT-d EPT Secure Key SMEP SIPP IPT TSX Flex Memory FMA
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