Intel Core i7-3960X vs Intel Core i5-4690K

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i7-3960X or Intel Core i7-3960X – 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 i7-3960X 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 i7-3960X, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 2011 socket.
The Intel Core i5-4690K features 4 processor cores and has the capability to manage 4 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q2/2014 and belongs to the 4 generation of the Intel Core i5 series.
To use the Intel Core i5-4690K, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1150 socket.
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i7-3960X Name Intel Core i5-4690K
Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition Family Intel Core i5
3 Generation 4
Intel Core i 3000X Group Intel Core i 4000
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i7-3960X has 6 CPU cores and can calculate 12 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-3960X is 3.3 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.9 GHz.
The number of CPU cores greatly affects the speed of the processor and is an important performance indicator.
The Intel Core i5-4690K has 4 CPU cores and can calculate 4 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i5-4690K is 3.5 GHz
3.9 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 3.9 GHz
Yes Overclocking Yes
normal Core architecture normal
3.3 GHz Frequency 3.5 GHz
12 Threads 4
3.9 GHz Turbo Frequency (all cores) 3.7 GHz
Yes Hyperthreading No
6 CPU Cores 4
6x Cores 4x
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i7-3960X does not have integrated graphics.
The Intel Core i5-4690K has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Intel Core i5-4690K uses the Intel HD Graphics 4600, which has 160 texture shaders
and 20 execution units.
The iGPU uses the system's main memory as graphics memory and sits on the processor's die.
-- GPU frequency 0.35 GHz
-- Release date Q2/2013
-- Direct X 11.1
GPU name Intel HD Graphics 4600
-- Technology 22 nm
-- Max. displays --
-- Shaders 160
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 2.0 GB
-- Execution units 20
-- Generation 7.5
-- GPU (Turbo) 1.2 GHz
 
 

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 Decode / Encode
-- VC-1 Decode
-- VP9 No
-- h265 / HEVC (10 bit) No
-- h264 Decode / Encode
-- VP8 No
-- h265 / HEVC (8 bit) No
-- JPEG Decode
-- AV1 No
 
 

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 32.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
4 Memory channels 2
64.0 GB Max. Memory 32.0 GB
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI Yes
No ECC No
51.2 GB/s Bandwidth 25.6 GB/s
DDR3-1600 Memory type DDR3-1600
 
 

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 88 W watts.
-- Tjunction max --
130 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 88 W
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i7-3960X 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 15.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The Intel Core i5-4690K is manufactured using a 22 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 6.0 MB cache.
Q4/2011 Release date Q2/2014
-- 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 Devils Canyon S
32 nm Technology 22 nm
LGA 2011 Socket LGA 1150
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
970 $ Release price 245 $
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
15.0 MB L3-Cache 6.0 MB
 
 

Benchmarks

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.3 GHz
19300
19300
Intel Core i5-4690K
4C 4T @ 3.5 GHz
11339
11339

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.3 GHz
4973
4973
Intel Core i5-4690K
4C 4T @ 3.5 GHz
3723
3723

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i5-4690K
4C 4T @ 3.5 GHz
3864
3864
Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.3 GHz
3488
3488

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i5-4690K
4C 4T @ 3.5 GHz
3597
3597
Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.3 GHz
3314
3314

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.3 GHz
2643
2643
Intel Core i5-4690K
4C 4T @ 3.5 GHz
1618
1618

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i5-4690K
4C 4T @ 3.5 GHz
1383
1383
Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.3 GHz
736
736

Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.3 GHz
1158
1158
Intel Core i5-4690K
4C 4T @ 3.5 GHz
534
534

Cinebench R15 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.3 GHz
159
159
Intel Core i5-4690K
4C 4T @ 3.5 GHz
152
152