Intel Core i7-3960X vs Intel Xeon D-1548

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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 Xeon D-1548 features 8 processor cores and has the capability to manage 16 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q4/2015 and belongs to the 1 generation of the Intel Xeon D series.
To use the Intel Xeon D-1548, you'll need a motherboard with a BGA 1667 socket.
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i7-3960X Name Intel Xeon D-1548
Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition Family Intel Xeon D
3 Generation 1
Intel Core i 3000X Group Intel Xeon D-1500
 
 

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 Xeon D-1548 has 8 CPU cores and can calculate 16 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Xeon D-1548 is 2.0 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 2.6 GHz.
3.9 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 2.6 GHz
Yes Overclocking No
normal Core architecture normal
3.3 GHz Frequency 2.0 GHz
12 Threads 16
3.9 GHz Turbo Frequency (all cores) 2.0 GHz
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
6 CPU Cores 8
6x Cores 8x
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i7-3960X does not have integrated graphics.
The Intel Xeon D-1548 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 128.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 38.4 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 128.0 GB
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI Yes
No ECC Yes
51.2 GB/s Bandwidth 38.4 GB/s
DDR3-1600 Memory type DDR4-2400
 
 

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 45 W watts.
-- Tjunction max --
130 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 45 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 Xeon D-1548 is manufactured using a 14 nm process.
Q4/2011 Release date Q4/2015
-- Part Number --
0 bytes L2-Cache 12.0 MB
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 Broadwell
32 nm Technology 14 nm
LGA 2011 Socket BGA 1667
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
970 $ Release price 594 $
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
15.0 MB L3-Cache 0 bytes