Core i9-9960X

Details and Benchmarks for Intel Core i9-9960X

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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 i9-9960X based on all benchmark results gathered. Look at this like a meta score, you will find more specific workload ratings below.

6,612 Rank: 104
Rank Name Score Visual
100 Xeon w7-3455 6,640
+0.4%
101 Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX 6,617
+0.1%
102 EPYC 7702 6,615
+0%
103 Core i9-12900T 6,615
+0%
104 Core i9-9960X 6,612
105 Ryzen 9 5900X 6,612
+0%
106 Ryzen 9 3900X 6,609
+-0%
107 Core Ultra 7 268V 6,608
-0.1%
108 EPYC 7642 6,599
-0.2%
109 Xeon w5-2455X 6,595
-0.3%

View full ranking →

Multicore Score

Multicore performance score for Core i9-9960X based on multi-threaded benchmark results.

7,073 Rank: 94
Rank Name Score Visual
90 Xeon w5-3435X 7,125
+0.7%
91 Ryzen 7 9700X 7,105
+0.5%
92 Core i9-14900HX 7,103
+0.4%
93 Core i9-9980XE 7,102
+0.4%
94 Core i9-9960X 7,073
95 Xeon Gold 6430 7,063
-0.1%
96 Xeon w5-2465X 7,061
-0.2%
97 Xeon Platinum 8268 7,059
-0.2%
98 EPYC 7H12 7,058
-0.2%
99 Core i5-13600K 7,023
-0.7%

View full ranking →

Singlecore Score

Single-core performance score for Core i9-9960X based on single-threaded benchmark results.

6,304 Rank: 176
Rank Name Score Visual
172 Core i7-9700KF 6,317
+0.2%
173 Ryzen 7 5700 6,314
+0.2%
174 Core i9-11900F 6,311
+0.1%
175 Core i3-7350K 6,306
+0%
176 Core i9-9960X 6,304
177 Xeon E-2126G 6,303
+-0%
178 Core i7-8700K 6,302
+-0%
179 Core Ultra 5 125U 6,298
-0.1%
180 Ryzen 7 7840U 6,283
-0.3%
181 Xeon E-2246G 6,282
-0.3%

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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 i9-9960X based on integer math, floating point math, and prime number computation benchmarks.

5,580 Rank: 160
Rank Name Score Visual
156 EPYC 7371 5,591
+0.2%
157 Xeon Gold 6148 5,584
+0.1%
158 Xeon Gold 6154 5,582
+0%
159 Core i9-12900E 5,581
+0%
160 Core i9-9960X 5,580
161 Core i9-7980XE 5,570
-0.2%
162 Core i5-13500 5,569
-0.2%
163 Xeon W-3245M 5,567
-0.2%
164 Ryzen 5 7600X 5,564
-0.3%
165 Ryzen 7 5700X3D 5,562
-0.3%

View full ranking →

Data Processing

Aggregated score for Core i9-9960X based on data encryption, data compression, and string sorting benchmarks.

5,756 Rank: 147
Rank Name Score Visual
143 Ryzen 7 PRO 7745 5,768
+0.2%
144 Ryzen 9 3900 5,768
+0.2%
145 Ryzen Threadripper 2920X 5,760
+0.1%
146 Xeon w5-3425 5,760
+0.1%
147 Core i9-9960X 5,756
148 EPYC 7351 5,754
+-0%
149 Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 5,754
+-0%
150 Ryzen 9 PRO 5945 5,750
-0.1%
151 Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 5,749
-0.1%
152 Xeon Gold 6252 5,742
-0.2%

View full ranking →

Physics & Compute

Aggregated score for Core i9-9960X based on physics simulation and extended instruction set (SSE/AVX) benchmarks.

5,741 Rank: 135
Rank Name Score Visual
131 Xeon w5-2445 5,757
+0.3%
132 Core i5-13600K 5,754
+0.2%
133 Core i9-7980XE 5,753
+0.2%
134 Ryzen 7 7700X 5,742
+0%
135 Core i9-9960X 5,741
136 Ryzen 7 5700X3D 5,724
-0.3%
137 Core i9-13900E 5,724
-0.3%
138 Ryzen 9 3950X 5,723
-0.3%
139 Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 5,708
-0.6%
140 Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 5,701
-0.7%

View full ranking →

Core i9-9960X Details

The Intel Core i9-9960X stands as a high-end desktop processor from Intel's 9th Gen X-Series, launched in October 2018. As of early 2026, it is considered a legacy product, having been superseded by more modern architectures and performance leaders. Despite its age, the Core i9-9960X remains a compelling choice for workstation-class applications and content creation due to its exceptional multicore performance. With 16 cores and 32 threads enabled by Intel Hyper-Threading, it delivers a robust foundation for multithreaded workloads such as video rendering, 3D modeling, and scientific simulations.

At the heart of the Core i9-9960X is the Skylake-X Refresh microarchitecture, built on a 14 nm process node. It operates at a base frequency of 3.1 GHz, with a single-core turbo boost up to 4.4 GHz, ensuring strong performance in both single-threaded and heavily threaded environments. The processor features a substantial cache hierarchy, including 0.5 MiB of L1 cache, 16 MiB of L2 cache, and a massive 22 MiB of L3 cache, which helps maintain low-latency access to frequently used data. Its quad-channel DDR4-2666 memory support allows for a maximum bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s, and it supports up to 131 GB of system memory across four channels.

The Core i9-9960X is designed for high-performance desktop platforms, utilizing the LGA-2066 (Socket R4) interface and requiring a compatible chipset, such as the Lewisburg. With a TDP of 165 W, it demands robust cooling solutions, and its unlocked multiplier makes it ideal for enthusiasts seeking to overclock. The processor supports a wide array of instruction sets, including AVX, AVX2, and AVX-512, providing significant acceleration for compute-intensive applications. Additionally, it includes Intel's Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0, which dynamically allocates higher clock speeds to the most active cores for optimal performance.

In benchmark testing, the Core i9-9960X achieves an overall score of 6612, ranking #104 among 2060 processors, with a multicore score of 7073 (#94) and a single-core score of 6304 (#176). These results place it firmly in the upper tier of desktop CPUs, though it trails behind modern offerings such as the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9995WX and Intel’s Core Ultra series. It outperforms many contemporary mainstream processors in multicore tasks, particularly when compared to the Ryzen 9 3900X and Xeon Gold 6430, but it falls short of the leading-edge performance seen in today's top-tier CPUs.

Notably, the Core i9-9960X lacks integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for visual output. This absence is typical for high-end desktop processors and aligns with its intended use in professional and enthusiast workstations. The processor also supports hardware virtualization technologies like Intel VT-x and VT-d, making it suitable for running virtual machines and containerized environments efficiently. Its PCIe 3.0 interface provides up to 44 lanes of connectivity, enabling high-speed storage and expansion options.

In conclusion, the Intel Core i9-9960X remains a powerful and capable processor for users focused on multi-threaded workloads, particularly in professional environments such as video editing, CAD, and simulation. While it is no longer a top-tier performer by today’s standards, its 16-core design and high memory bandwidth still make it a viable option for users with existing platforms or those seeking a cost-effective upgrade. As of March 2026, it continues to serve as a reliable workhorse for demanding desktop applications, albeit in a niche segment overshadowed by newer, more efficient architectures.
Frequently Compared

AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5450U 23 views

Intel Xeon W-3245 22 views

Intel Xeon Silver 4116T 22 views

Intel Xeon w7-3465X 21 views

Intel Xeon Silver 4210 21 views

AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 3900 20 views

AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE 19 views

Intel Xeon Silver 4112 19 views

AMD Ryzen 5 7600 19 views

AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3500U 18 views

Intel Core i9-9960X

Main Specifications

Designer: Intel
Name: Core i9-9960X
Family: Core
Series: i9-9000
Model Number: i9-9960X
Cores: 16
Threads: 32
Base Frequency: 3100 MHz
Turbo Frequency (1 core): 4400 MHz
Turbo Frequency (2 cores): 4400 MHz
Clock Multiplier: 31x (unlocked)
Microarchitecture: Skylake
Core Name: Skylake X Refresh
Core Family: 6
Socket: Socket
Package: FCLGA-2066
Chipset: Lewisburg
Target Segment: Desktop
Max CPUs: 1
TDP: 165 W
Release Price: $1,684.00

Cache Specifications

L1 Cache: 1024 KiB
L1 Instruction Cache: 512 KiB (8-way set associative)
L1 Data Cache: 512 KiB (8-way set associative)
L2 Cache: 16 MiB (16-way set associative)
L3 Cache: 22 MiB (16-way set associative)

Memory Specifications

Supported Memory Type: DDR4-2666
Memory Channels: 4
Maximum Memory: 128 GB
Maximum Bandwidth: 79.47 GB/s
ECC Support: No

PCI-Express Specifications

PCIe Revision: 3.0
PCIe Lanes: 44
PCIe Configuration: x16, x8, x4

Physical Specifications

Process: 14 nm
Die Area: 484 mm²
Manufacturer: Intel
Technology: CMOS
Word Size: 64-bit
ISA: x86-64 (x86)

CPU Features

MMX EMMX SSE SSE2 SSE3 SSSE3 SSE4.1 SSE4.2 AVX AVX2 ABM BMI1 BMI2 FMA3 AES RdRand ADX CLMUL F16C x86-16 x86-32 x86-64 Real Protected SMM FPU NX HT TBT 2.0 EIST TXT VT-x VT-d EPT AVX-512 AVX512F AVX512CD AVX512BW AVX512DQ AVX512VL TSX Flex Memory AVX-512 TBMT 3.0 TBT 1.0 FMA
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