Intel Core i7-960 vs Intel Core i7-860S

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CPU comparison with benchmarks


Intel Core i7-960 CPU1 vs CPU2 Intel Core i7-860S
Intel Core i7-960 Intel Core i7-860S

CPU comparison

In this CPU comparison, we compare the Intel Core i7-960 and the Intel Core i7-860S and use benchmarks to check which processor is faster.

We compare the Intel Core i7-960 4 core processor released in Q4/2009 with the Intel Core i7-860S which has 4 CPU cores and was introduced in Q1/2010.
Intel Core i7 (298) Family Intel Core i7 (298)
Intel Core i7 900 (7) CPU group Intel Core i7 800 (6)
1 Generation 1
Bloomfield Architecture Lynnfield
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
-- Predecessor --
-- Successor --

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i7-960 is a 4 core processor with a clock frequency of 3.20 GHz (3.46 GHz). The processor can compute 8 threads at the same time. The Intel Core i7-860S clocks with 2.53 GHz (3.46 GHz), has 4 CPU cores and can calculate 8 threads in parallel.

Intel Core i7-960 Characteristic Intel Core i7-860S
4 Cores 4
8 Threads 8
normal Core architecture normal
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
No Overclocking ? No
3.20 GHz Frequency 2.53 GHz
3.46 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 Core) 3.46 GHz
-- Turbo Frequency (All Cores) --

NPU AI performance

The performance values of the processor's AI unit. The isolated NPU performance is specified here, the total AI performance (NPU+CPU+iGPU) can be higher. Processors with support for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can process many calculations, especially audio, image and video processing, much faster than classic processors.

Intel Core i7-960 Characteristic Intel Core i7-860S
-- AI hardware --
-- AI specifications --
-- NPU + CPU + iGPU --

Integrated graphics (iGPU)

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 24 GB of memory in a maximum of 3 memory channels is supported by the Intel Core i7-960, while the Intel Core i7-860S supports a maximum of 16 GB of memory with a maximum memory bandwidth of 17.1 GB/s enabled.

Intel Core i7-960 Characteristic Intel Core i7-860S
DDR3-1066 Memory DDR3-1066
24 GB Max. Memory 16 GB
3 Memory channels 2 (Dual Channel)
25.6 GB/s Max. Bandwidth 17.1 GB/s
No ECC No
1.00 MB L2 Cache 1.00 MB
8.00 MB L3 Cache 8.00 MB
-- PCIe version 2.0
-- PCIe lanes 16
-- PCIe Bandwidth 8.0 GB/s

Thermal Management

The Intel Core i7-960 has a TDP of 130 W. The TDP of the Intel Core i7-860S is 82 W. System integrators use the TDP of the processor as a guide when dimensioning the cooling solution.

Intel Core i7-960 Characteristic Intel Core i7-860S
130 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 82 W
-- TDP (PL2) --
-- TDP up --
-- TDP down --
-- Tjunction max. --

Technical details

The Intel Core i7-960 has 9.00 MB cache and is manufactured in 45 nm. The cache of Intel Core i7-860S is at 9.00 MB. The processor is manufactured in 45 nm.

Intel Core i7-960 Characteristic Intel Core i7-860S
45 nm Technology 45 nm
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
SSE4.1, SSE4.2 ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2
LGA 1366 Socket LGA 1156
VT-x, VT-x EPT Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d
No AES-NI No
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
Q4/2009 Release date Q1/2010
305 $ Release price 362 $
show more data show more data


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Here you can rate the Intel Core i7-860S to help other visitors make their purchasing decisions. The average rating is 0 stars (0 ratings). Rate now:


Average performance in benchmarks

⌀ Single core performance in 2 CPU benchmarks
Intel Core i7-960 (100%)
Intel Core i7-860S (84%)
⌀ Multi core performance in 3 CPU benchmarks
Intel Core i7-960 (100%)
Intel Core i7-860S (75%)

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 i7-960 Intel Core i7-960
4C 8T @ 3.46 GHz
576 (100%)
Intel Core i7-860S Intel Core i7-860S
4C 8T @ 3.46 GHz
539 (94%)

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 i7-960 Intel Core i7-960
4C 8T @ 3.20 GHz
2370 (100%)
Intel Core i7-860S Intel Core i7-860S
4C 8T @ 2.53 GHz
1828 (77%)

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 i7-960 Intel Core i7-960
4C 8T @ 3.46 GHz
610 (100%)
Intel Core i7-860S Intel Core i7-860S
4C 8T @ 3.46 GHz
451 (74%)

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 i7-960 Intel Core i7-960
4C 8T @ 3.20 GHz
2130 (100%)
Intel Core i7-860S Intel Core i7-860S
4C 8T @ 2.53 GHz
1332 (63%)

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 i7-960 Intel Core i7-960
4C 8T @ 3.20 GHz
3266 (100%)
Intel Core i7-860S Intel Core i7-860S
4C 8T @ 2.53 GHz
2779 (85%)

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 i7-960 Intel Core i7-960
4C 8T @ 3.20 GHz
1503 (100%)
Intel Core i7-860S Intel Core i7-860S
4C 8T @ 2.53 GHz
0 (0%)

Devices using this processor

Intel Core i7-960 Intel Core i7-860S
Unknown Unknown

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