Intel Core i7-3960X vs AMD Phenom II X3 720

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CPU comparison with benchmarks


Intel Core i7-3960X CPU1 vs CPU2 AMD Phenom II X3 720
Intel Core i7-3960X AMD Phenom II X3 720

CPU comparison

In this CPU comparison, we compare the Intel Core i7-3960X and the AMD Phenom II X3 720 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 AMD Phenom II X3 720 which has 3 CPU cores and was introduced in Q1/2009.
Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition (24) Family AMD Phenom II (52)
Intel Core i 3000X (4) CPU group AMD Phenom II - 700 (9)
3 Generation 3
Sandy Bridge E Architecture Heka (K10)
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
-- Predecessor --
-- Successor --

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 AMD Phenom II X3 720 clocks with 2.80 GHz, has 3 CPU cores and can calculate 3 threads in parallel.

Intel Core i7-3960X Characteristic AMD Phenom II X3 720
6 Cores 3
12 Threads 3
normal Core architecture normal
Yes Hyperthreading No
Yes Overclocking ? Yes
3.30 GHz Frequency 2.80 GHz
3.90 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 Core) --
3.90 GHz Turbo Frequency (All Cores) --

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 AMD Phenom II X3 720
-- 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 no iGPU
GPU frequency --
-- GPU (Turbo) --
-- GPU Generation --
Technology
Max. displays
-- Compute units --
-- Shader --
No Hardware Raytracing No
No Frame Generation No
-- Max. GPU Memory --
-- DirectX Version --

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 no iGPU
No Codec h265 / HEVC (8 bit) No
No Codec h265 / HEVC (10 bit) No
No Codec h264 No
No Codec VP9 No
No Codec VP8 No
No Codec AV1 No
No Codec AVC No
No Codec VC-1 No
No Codec JPEG No

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 AMD Phenom II X3 720 supports a maximum of GB of memory with a maximum memory bandwidth of 21.3 GB/s enabled.

Intel Core i7-3960X Characteristic AMD Phenom II X3 720
DDR3-1600 Memory DDR3-1333, DDR2-1066
64 GB Max. Memory
4 (Quad Channel) Memory channels 2 (Dual Channel)
51.2 GB/s Max. Bandwidth 21.3 GB/s
No ECC No
-- L2 Cache --
15.00 MB L3 Cache 6.00 MB
2.0 PCIe version --
40 PCIe lanes --
20.0 GB/s PCIe Bandwidth --

Thermal Management

The Intel Core i7-3960X has a TDP of 130 W. The TDP of the AMD Phenom II X3 720 is 95 W. System integrators use the TDP of the processor as a guide when dimensioning the cooling solution.

Intel Core i7-3960X Characteristic AMD Phenom II X3 720
130 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 95 W
-- TDP (PL2) --
-- TDP up --
-- TDP down --
-- Tjunction max. --

Technical details

The Intel Core i7-3960X has 15.00 MB cache and is manufactured in 32 nm. The cache of AMD Phenom II X3 720 is at 6.00 MB. The processor is manufactured in 45 nm.

Intel Core i7-3960X Characteristic AMD Phenom II X3 720
32 nm Technology 45 nm
Monolithic Chip design Unknown
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX ISA extensions SSE3, SSE4a
LGA 2011 Socket AM3
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d (C2 Stepping) Virtualization AMD-V
Yes AES-NI No
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
Q4/2011 Release date Q1/2009
970 $ Release price --
show more data show more data


Rate these processors

Here you can rate the Intel Core i7-3960X to help other visitors make their purchasing decisions. The average rating is 4.0 stars (1 ratings). Rate now:
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Average performance in benchmarks

⌀ Single core performance in 2 CPU benchmarks
Intel Core i7-3960X (100%)
AMD Phenom II X3 720 (47%)
⌀ Multi core performance in 3 CPU benchmarks
Intel Core i7-3960X (100%)
AMD Phenom II X3 720 (24%)

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 (100%)
AMD Phenom II X3 720 AMD Phenom II X3 720
3C 3T @ 2.80 GHz
379 (47%)

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 (100%)
AMD Phenom II X3 720 AMD Phenom II X3 720
3C 3T @ 2.80 GHz
985 (20%)

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 (100%)
AMD Phenom II X3 720 AMD Phenom II X3 720
3C 3T @ 2.80 GHz
2811 (33%)

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 (100%)
AMD Phenom II X3 720 AMD Phenom II X3 720
3C 3T @ 2.80 GHz
74 (47%)

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 (100%)
AMD Phenom II X3 720 AMD Phenom II X3 720
3C 3T @ 2.80 GHz
213 (18%)

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 (100%)
AMD Phenom II X3 720 AMD Phenom II X3 720
3C 3T @ 2.80 GHz
0 (0%)

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 (100%)
AMD Phenom II X3 720 AMD Phenom II X3 720
3C 3T @ 2.80 GHz
0 (0%)

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%)
AMD Phenom II X3 720 AMD Phenom II X3 720
3C 3T @ 2.80 GHz
159 (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%)
AMD Phenom II X3 720 AMD Phenom II X3 720
3C 3T @ 2.80 GHz
450 (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 (100%)
AMD Phenom II X3 720 AMD Phenom II X3 720
3C 3T @ 2.80 GHz
0 (0%)

Devices using this processor

Intel Core i7-3960X AMD Phenom II X3 720
Unknown Unknown

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