Core i7 960 Benchmarks & Performance Report

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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 960 based on all benchmark results gathered. Look at this like a meta score, you will find more specific workload ratings below.

4,622 Rank: 1172

Rank	Name	Score	Visual
1168	Athlon X4 880K	4,628	+0.1%
1169	Core i5-2400S	4,627	+0.1%
1170	Core i5-4200M	4,627	+0.1%
1171	Core i5-6200U	4,623	+0%
1172	Core i7 960	4,622
1173	Core i3-3210	4,622	+0%
1174	Pentium G3250	4,622	+0%
1175	Celeron G1850	4,622	+0%
1176	Xeon E5-2603 v4	4,619	-0.1%
1177	Xeon E3-1230	4,618	-0.1%

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Multicore Score

Multicore performance score for Core i7 960 based on multi-threaded benchmark results.

4,752 Rank: 902

Rank	Name	Score	Visual
898	Core i7 930	4,760	+0.2%
899	Core i7-4702MQ	4,758	+0.1%
900	Core i7-4860HQ	4,756	+0.1%
901	Xeon E5-2630 v2	4,756	+0.1%
902	Core i7 960	4,752
903	Core i7-4760HQ	4,750	+-0%
904	Xeon X5650	4,749	-0.1%
905	Core i7-2920XM	4,749	-0.1%
906	Ryzen 3 3300U	4,748	-0.1%
907	Pentium Gold G7400T	4,748	-0.1%

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Singlecore Score

Single-core performance score for Core i7 960 based on single-threaded benchmark results.

4,536 Rank: 1260

Rank	Name	Score	Visual
1256	Xeon X5670	4,543	+0.2%
1257	Xeon W3530	4,541	+0.1%
1258	Xeon E3-1220L v2	4,540	+0.1%
1259	Core i3-3240T	4,537	+0%
1260	Core i7 960	4,536
1261	Athlon II X2 265	4,533	-0.1%
1262	Xeon L5639	4,532	-0.1%
1263	Xeon E5-2450 v2	4,530	-0.1%
1264	Xeon Bronze 3204	4,526	-0.2%
1265	FX-4320	4,526	-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 960 based on integer math, floating point math, and prime number computation benchmarks.

-- Rank: --

Number Crunching score not yet available.

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Data Processing

Aggregated score for Core i7 960 based on data encryption, data compression, and string sorting benchmarks.

-- Rank: --

Data Processing score not yet available.

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Physics & Compute

Aggregated score for Core i7 960 based on physics simulation and extended instruction set (SSE/AVX) benchmarks.

-- Rank: --

Physics & Compute score not yet available.

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Core i7 960 Details

As of March 2026, the Intel Core i7-960 stands as a legacy processor from the early days of the Sandy Bridge era, representing a significant step in Intel's transition to more efficient and powerful multi-core desktop computing. While long outpaced by modern CPUs in both single-core and multi-core performance, it remains a notable example of Intel’s early adoption of Hyper-Threading and integrated graphics on the FCLGA1366 platform. This processor is part of a lineage that paved the way for today’s high-performance desktops, though it now serves more as a historical benchmark than a practical choice for contemporary workloads.

The Core i7-960 is built on Intel's 45 nm process and features a 4-core, 8-thread design, enabling it to handle multi-threaded applications more efficiently than its predecessors. It operates at a base frequency of 3.2 GHz with a turbo frequency reaching 3.46 GHz, supported by a 4.8 GT/s bus speed and a 130 W TDP, which reflects its power-hungry design by today’s standards. The processor supports up to 24 GB of DDR3 800/1066 memory across three channels, offering a maximum memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. It is also equipped with Intel HD Graphics 4600, which provides basic integrated graphics with a max frequency of 1.15 GHz and supports up to three displays.

In terms of architecture, the Core i7-960 leverages the Nehalem microarchitecture with enhancements such as AES-NI, AVX2, and SSE4.1/4.2 instructions, making it capable of handling a range of modern applications despite its age. It also supports advanced virtualization features like VT-x and VT-d, as well as Intel’s vPro platform for enterprise use. However, it lacks ECC memory support, limiting its appeal in server or workstation environments.

Benchmark results place the Core i7-960 at an overall score of 4622, ranking it #1172 out of 2060 processors, with a single-core score of 4536 (#1260) and a multicore score of 4752 (#902). These scores indicate that while the processor performs reasonably well in multi-threaded workloads, it falls behind in single-threaded performance compared to modern CPUs. Its multicore score places it just ahead of the Xeon E5-2450 v2 and slightly behind the Core i7-4760HQ, illustrating its position as a mid-tier performer from its generation.

Given its age and power consumption, the Core i7-960 is best suited for retro computing, legacy system upgrades, or educational purposes. It is no longer competitive in modern desktop or workstation environments, where processors like the Ryzen 9 9950X3D or Core Ultra 9 285K dominate the performance landscape. However, it remains a solid reference point for understanding the evolution of Intel’s core designs and the shift toward higher efficiency and multi-core scaling in the decade since its release.