Intel Core i7-3960X vs Intel Core i9-9900K

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CPU comparison with benchmarks


Intel Core i7-3960X CPU1 vs CPU2 Intel Core i9-9900K
Intel Core i7-3960X Intel Core i9-9900K

CPU comparison

In this CPU comparison, we compare the Intel Core i7-3960X and the Intel Core i9-9900K and use benchmarks to check which processor is faster.

We compare the Intel Core i7-3960X 6 core processor released in Q4/2011 with the Intel Core i9-9900K which has 8 CPU cores and was introduced in Q4/2018.
Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition (24) Family Intel Core i9 (78)
Intel Core i 3000X (4) CPU group Intel Core i 9000 (34)
3 Generation 9
Sandy Bridge E Architecture Coffee Lake S Refresh
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
-- Predecessor --
-- Successor Intel Core i9-10900K

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i7-3960X is a 6 core processor with a clock frequency of 3.30 GHz (3.90 GHz). The processor can compute 12 threads at the same time. The Intel Core i9-9900K clocks with 3.60 GHz (5.00 GHz), has 8 CPU cores and can calculate 16 threads in parallel.

Intel Core i7-3960X Characteristic Intel Core i9-9900K
6 Cores 8
12 Threads 16
normal Core architecture normal
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
Yes Overclocking ? Yes
3.30 GHz Frequency 3.60 GHz
3.90 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 Core) 5.00 GHz
3.90 GHz Turbo Frequency (All Cores) 4.70 GHz

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Processors with the support of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can process many calculations, especially audio, image and video processing, much faster than classic processors. Algorithms for ML improve their performance the more data they have collected via software. ML tasks can be processed up to 10,000 times faster than with a classic processor.

Intel Core i7-3960X Characteristic Intel Core i9-9900K
-- AI hardware --
-- AI specifications --

Internal Graphics

Graphics (iGPU) integrated into the processor not only enable image output without having to rely on a dedicated graphics solution, but can also efficiently accelerate video playback.

no iGPU GPU Intel UHD Graphics 630
GPU frequency 0.35 GHz
-- GPU (Turbo) 1.20 GHz
-- GPU Generation 9.5
Technology 14 nm
Max. displays 3
-- Compute units 24
-- Shader 192
No Hardware Raytracing No
No Frame Generation No
-- Max. GPU Memory 64 GB
-- DirectX Version 12

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.

no iGPU GPU Intel UHD Graphics 630
No Codec h265 / HEVC (8 bit) Decode / Encode
No Codec h265 / HEVC (10 bit) Decode / Encode
No Codec h264 Decode / Encode
No Codec VP9 Decode / Encode
No Codec VP8 Decode / Encode
No Codec AV1 No
No Codec AVC Decode / Encode
No Codec VC-1 Decode
No Codec JPEG Decode / Encode

Memory & PCIe

Up to 64 GB of memory in a maximum of 4 memory channels is supported by the Intel Core i7-3960X, while the Intel Core i9-9900K supports a maximum of 128 GB of memory with a maximum memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s enabled.

Intel Core i7-3960X Characteristic Intel Core i9-9900K
DDR3-1600 Memory DDR4-2666
64 GB Max. Memory 128 GB
4 (Quad Channel) Memory channels 2 (Dual Channel)
51.2 GB/s Max. Bandwidth 42.7 GB/s
No ECC No
-- L2 Cache --
15.00 MB L3 Cache 16.00 MB
2.0 PCIe version 3.0
40 PCIe lanes 16
20.0 GB/s PCIe Bandwidth 15.8 GB/s

Thermal Management

The Intel Core i7-3960X has a TDP of 130 W. The TDP of the Intel Core i9-9900K is 95 W. System integrators use the TDP of the processor as a guide when dimensioning the cooling solution.

Intel Core i7-3960X Characteristic Intel Core i9-9900K
130 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 95 W
-- TDP (PL2) 119 W @ 28 s
-- TDP up --
-- TDP down --
-- Tjunction max. 100 °C

Technical details

The Intel Core i7-3960X has 15.00 MB cache and is manufactured in 32 nm. The cache of Intel Core i9-9900K is at 16.00 MB. The processor is manufactured in 14 nm.

Intel Core i7-3960X Characteristic Intel Core i9-9900K
32 nm Technology 14 nm
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2
LGA 2011 Socket LGA 1151-2
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d (C2 Stepping) Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d
Yes AES-NI Yes
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Windows 11, Linux
Q4/2011 Release date Q4/2018
970 $ Release price 650 $
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Average performance in benchmarks

⌀ Single core performance in 3 CPU benchmarks
⌀ Multi core performance in 5 CPU benchmarks

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)

Geekbench 5 is a cross plattform benchmark that heavily uses the systems memory. A fast memory will push the result a lot. The single-core test only uses one CPU core, the amount of cores or hyperthreading ability doesn't count.
Intel Core i7-3960X Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.90 GHz
804 (60%)
Intel Core i9-9900K Intel Core i9-9900K
8C 16T @ 5.00 GHz
1342 (100%)

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Geekbench 5 is a cross plattform benchmark that heavily uses the systems memory. A fast memory will push the result a lot. The multi-core test involves all CPU cores and taks a big advantage of hyperthreading.
Intel Core i7-3960X Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.90 GHz
4973 (57%)
Intel Core i9-9900K Intel Core i9-9900K
8C 16T @ 4.70 GHz
8779 (100%)

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Geekbench 6 is a benchmark for modern computers, notebooks and smartphones. What is new is an optimized utilization of newer CPU architectures, e.g. based on the big.LITTLE concept and combining CPU cores of different sizes. The single-core benchmark only evaluates the performance of the fastest CPU core, the number of CPU cores in a processor is irrelevant here.
Intel Core i7-3960X Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.90 GHz
736 (45%)
Intel Core i9-9900K Intel Core i9-9900K
8C 16T @ 5.00 GHz
1650 (100%)

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Geekbench 6 is a benchmark for modern computers, notebooks and smartphones. What is new is an optimized utilization of newer CPU architectures, e.g. based on the big.LITTLE concept and combining CPU cores of different sizes. The multi-core benchmark evaluates the performance of all of the processor's CPU cores. Virtual thread improvements such as AMD SMT or Intel's Hyper-Threading have a positive impact on the benchmark result.
Intel Core i7-3960X Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.90 GHz
3488 (43%)
Intel Core i9-9900K Intel Core i9-9900K
8C 16T @ 4.70 GHz
8182 (100%)

Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark

Some of the CPUs listed below have been benchmarked by CPU-monkey. However the majority of CPUs have not been tested and the results have been estimated by a CPU-monkey’s secret proprietary formula. As such they do not accurately reflect the actual Passmark CPU mark values and are not endorsed by PassMark Software Pty Ltd.
Intel Core i7-3960X Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.90 GHz
8454 (45%)
Intel Core i9-9900K Intel Core i9-9900K
8C 16T @ 4.70 GHz
18702 (100%)

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

The CPU-Z benchmark measures a processor's performance by measuring the time it takes the system to complete all benchmark calculations. The faster the benchmark is completed, the higher the score.
Intel Core i7-3960X Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.30 GHz
2643 (48%)
Intel Core i9-9900K Intel Core i9-9900K
8C 16T @ 3.60 GHz
5502 (100%)

Cinebench R15 (Single-Core)

Cinebench R15 is the successor of Cinebench 11.5 and is also based on the Cinema 4 Suite. Cinema 4 is a worldwide used software to create 3D forms. The single-core test only uses one CPU core, the amount of cores or hyperthreading ability doesn't count.
Intel Core i7-3960X Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.90 GHz
159 (73%)
Intel Core i9-9900K Intel Core i9-9900K
8C 16T @ 5.00 GHz
219 (100%)

Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core)

Cinebench R15 is the successor of Cinebench 11.5 and is also based on the Cinema 4 Suite. Cinema 4 is a worldwide used software to create 3D forms. The multi-core test involves all CPU cores and taks a big advantage of hyperthreading.
Intel Core i7-3960X Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.90 GHz
1158 (52%)
Intel Core i9-9900K Intel Core i9-9900K
8C 16T @ 4.70 GHz
2245 (100%)

Cinebench 2024 (Single-Core)

The Cinebench 2024 benchmark is based on the Redshift rendering engine, which is also used in Maxon's 3D program Cinema 4D. The benchmark runs are each 10 minutes long to test whether the processor is limited by its heat generation.
Intel Core i7-3960X Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.90 GHz
0 (0%)
Intel Core i9-9900K Intel Core i9-9900K
8C 16T @ 5.00 GHz
77 (100%)

Cinebench 2024 (Multi-Core)

The Multi-Core test of the Cinebench 2024 benchmark uses all cpu cores to render using the Redshift rendering engine, which is also used in Maxons Cinema 4D. The benchmark run is 10 minutes long to test whether the processor is limited by its heat generation.
Intel Core i7-3960X Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.90 GHz
0 (0%)
Intel Core i9-9900K Intel Core i9-9900K
8C 16T @ 5.00 GHz
640 (100%)

Cinebench R23 (Single-Core)

Cinebench R23 is the successor of Cinebench R20 and is also based on the Cinema 4 Suite. Cinema 4 is a worldwide used software to create 3D forms. The single-core test only uses one CPU core, the amount of cores or hyperthreading ability doesn't count.
Intel Core i7-3960X Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.90 GHz
0 (0%)
Intel Core i9-9900K Intel Core i9-9900K
8C 16T @ 5.00 GHz
1294 (100%)

Cinebench R23 (Multi-Core)

Cinebench R23 is the successor of Cinebench R20 and is also based on the Cinema 4 Suite. Cinema 4 is a worldwide used software to create 3D forms. The multi-core test involves all CPU cores and taks a big advantage of hyperthreading.
Intel Core i7-3960X Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.90 GHz
0 (0%)
Intel Core i9-9900K Intel Core i9-9900K
8C 16T @ 4.70 GHz
12812 (100%)

Cinebench R20 (Single-Core)

Cinebench R20 is the successor of Cinebench R15 and is also based on the Cinema 4 Suite. Cinema 4 is a worldwide used software to create 3D forms. The single-core test only uses one CPU core, the amount of cores or hyperthreading ability doesn't count.
Intel Core i7-3960X Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.90 GHz
0 (0%)
Intel Core i9-9900K Intel Core i9-9900K
8C 16T @ 5.00 GHz
518 (100%)

Cinebench R20 (Multi-Core)

Cinebench R20 is the successor of Cinebench R15 and is also based on the Cinema 4 Suite. Cinema 4 is a worldwide used software to create 3D forms. The multi-core test involves all CPU cores and taks a big advantage of hyperthreading.
Intel Core i7-3960X Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.90 GHz
0 (0%)
Intel Core i9-9900K Intel Core i9-9900K
8C 16T @ 4.70 GHz
4995 (100%)

iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

The theoretical computing performance of the internal graphics unit of the processor with simple accuracy (32 bit) in GFLOPS. GFLOPS indicates how many billion floating point operations the iGPU can perform per second.
Intel Core i7-3960X Intel Core i7-3960X
@ 0.00 GHz
0 (0%)
Intel Core i9-9900K Intel Core i9-9900K
Intel UHD Graphics 630 @ 1.20 GHz
461 (100%)

Blender 3.1 Benchmark

In the Blender Benchmark 3.1, the scenes "monster", "junkshop" and "classroom" are rendered and the time required by the system is measured. In our benchmark we test the CPU and not the graphics card. Blender 3.1 was presented as a standalone version in March 2022.
Intel Core i7-3960X Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.90 GHz
0 (0%)
Intel Core i9-9900K Intel Core i9-9900K
8C 16T @ 4.70 GHz
171 (100%)

Blender 2.81 (bmw27)

Blender is a free 3D graphics software for rendering (creating) 3D bodies, which can also be textured and animated in the software. The Blender benchmark creates predefined scenes and measures the time (s) required for the entire scene. The shorter the time required, the better. We selected bmw27 as the benchmark scene.
Intel Core i7-3960X Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.90 GHz
0 (0%)
Intel Core i9-9900K Intel Core i9-9900K
8C 16T @ 4.70 GHz
163.8 (100%)

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Single-Core)

The CPU-Z benchmark measures a processor's performance by measuring the time it takes the system to complete all benchmark calculations. The faster the benchmark is completed, the higher the score.
Intel Core i7-3960X Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.90 GHz
0 (0%)
Intel Core i9-9900K Intel Core i9-9900K
8C 16T @ 4.70 GHz
545 (100%)

Devices using this processor

Intel Core i7-3960X Intel Core i9-9900K
Unknown Memory PC Intel i9-9900K
Multimedia Office PC Intel Core i9 9900K
Corsair ONE i160 Kompakter Gaming-PC Intel Core i9-9900K

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