Intel Core i7-3960X vs Intel Core i7-6700K

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 i7-6700K features 4 processor cores and has the capability to manage 8 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q3/2015 and belongs to the 6 generation of the Intel Core i7 series.
To use the Intel Core i7-6700K, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1151 socket.

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 i7-6700K has 4 CPU cores and can calculate 8 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-6700K is 4.0 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 4.2 GHz.

The Intel Core i7-3960X does not have integrated graphics.
The Intel Core i7-6700K has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Intel Core i7-6700K uses the Intel HD Graphics 530, which has 192 texture shaders
and 24 execution units.
The iGPU uses the system's main memory as graphics memory and sits on the processor's die.

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.

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 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.

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 91 W watts.

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 i7-6700K is manufactured using a 14 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 8.0 MB cache.