Intel Core i7-3930K vs Intel Core i7-5960X

Last updated:

CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i7-3930K or Intel Core i7-3930K – which processor offers superior performance? In this comparison, we examine disparities and assess which of these two CPUs outperforms the other. We delve into technical specifications and benchmark outcomes.
The Intel Core i7-3930K features 6 processor cores and has the capability to manage 12 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q4/2011 and belongs to the 3 generation of the Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition series.
To use the Intel Core i7-3930K, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 2011 socket.
The Intel Core i7-5960X features 8 processor cores and has the capability to manage 16 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q3/2014 and belongs to the 5 generation of the Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition series.
To use the Intel Core i7-5960X, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 2011-3 socket.
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i7-3930K Name Intel Core i7-5960X
Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition Family Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition
3 Generation 5
Intel Core i 3000X Group Intel Core i 5000X
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i7-3930K has 6 CPU cores and can calculate 12 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-3930K is 3.2 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.8 GHz.
The number of CPU cores greatly affects the speed of the processor and is an important performance indicator.
The Intel Core i7-5960X has 8 CPU cores and can calculate 16 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-5960X is 3.0 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.5 GHz.
3.8 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 3.5 GHz
Yes Overclocking Yes
normal Core architecture normal
3.2 GHz Frequency 3.0 GHz
12 Threads 16
3.8 GHz Turbo Frequency (all cores) 3.2 GHz
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
6 CPU Cores 8
6x Cores 8x
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i7-3930K does not have integrated graphics.
The Intel Core i7-5960X does not have integrated graphics.
-- GPU frequency --
-- Release date --
-- Direct X --
GPU name
-- Technology --
-- Max. displays --
-- Shaders --
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 0 bytes
-- Execution units --
-- Generation --
-- GPU (Turbo) --
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

-- AI specifications --
-- AI hardware --
 
 

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.
-- AVC --
-- VC-1 --
-- VP9 --
-- h265 / HEVC (10 bit) --
-- h264 --
-- VP8 --
-- h265 / HEVC (8 bit) --
-- JPEG --
-- AV1 --
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 64.0 GB distributed across 4 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 64.0 GB distributed across 4 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 68.2 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
4 Memory channels 4
64.0 GB Max. Memory 64.0 GB
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI Yes
No ECC No
51.2 GB/s Bandwidth 68.2 GB/s
DDR3-1600 Memory type DDR4-2133
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 130 W watts.
TDP indicates the cooling solution needed to effectively manage the processor's heat. It generally provides an approximate indication of the actual power consumption of the CPU itself.
The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 140 W watts.
-- Tjunction max --
130 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 140 W
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i7-3930K is manufactured using a 32 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 12.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The Intel Core i7-5960X is manufactured using a 22 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 20.0 MB cache.
Q4/2011 Release date Q3/2014
-- Part Number --
0 bytes L2-Cache 0 bytes
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d (C2 Stepping) Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
Sandy Bridge E Architecture Haswell E
32 nm Technology 22 nm
LGA 2011 Socket LGA 2011-3
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
480 $ Release price 829 $
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
12.0 MB L3-Cache 20.0 MB
 
 

Benchmarks

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
28928
28928
Intel Core i7-3930K
6C 12T @ 3.2 GHz
20711
20711

Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark

Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
12709
12709
Intel Core i7-3930K
6C 12T @ 3.2 GHz
8254
8254

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
7843
7843
Intel Core i7-3930K
6C 12T @ 3.2 GHz
4576
4576

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
7640
7640
Intel Core i7-3930K
6C 12T @ 3.2 GHz
3201
3201

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
3944
3944
Intel Core i7-3930K
6C 12T @ 3.2 GHz
2588
2588

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
3773
3773
Intel Core i7-3930K
6C 12T @ 3.2 GHz
3542
3542

Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
1360
1360
Intel Core i7-3930K
6C 12T @ 3.2 GHz
915
915

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
1154
1154
Intel Core i7-3930K
6C 12T @ 3.2 GHz
731
731

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
1002
1002
Intel Core i7-3930K
6C 12T @ 3.2 GHz
778
778

Blender 2.81 (bmw27)

Intel Core i7-3930K
6C 12T @ 3.2 GHz
427.7
427.7
Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
254.1
254.1

Cinebench R15 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
177
177
Intel Core i7-3930K
6C 12T @ 3.2 GHz
129
129

Cinebench R11.5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
13.2
13.2
Intel Core i7-3930K
6C 12T @ 3.2 GHz
10.2
10.2