Intel Core i7-3960X vs Intel Xeon E7-2870 v2

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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 E7-2870 v2 features 15 processor cores and has the capability to manage 30 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q1/2014 and belongs to the 4 generation of the Intel Xeon E7 series.
To use the Intel Xeon E7-2870 v2, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 2011 socket.
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i7-3960X Name Intel Xeon E7-2870 v2
Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition Family Intel Xeon E7
3 Generation 4
Intel Core i 3000X Group Intel Xeon E7 v2
 
 

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 E7-2870 v2 has 15 CPU cores and can calculate 30 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Xeon E7-2870 v2 is 2.3 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 2.9 GHz.
3.9 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 2.9 GHz
Yes Overclocking No
normal Core architecture normal
3.3 GHz Frequency 2.3 GHz
12 Threads 30
3.9 GHz Turbo Frequency (all cores) None
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
6 CPU Cores 15
6x Cores 15x
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i7-3960X does not have integrated graphics.
The Intel Xeon E7-2870 v2 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 1.5 TB 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.
4 Memory channels 4
64.0 GB Max. Memory 1.5 TB
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI Yes
No ECC Yes
51.2 GB/s Bandwidth 51.2 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.
-- Tjunction max --
130 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 130 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 E7-2870 v2 is manufactured using a 22 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 30.0 MB cache.
Q4/2011 Release date Q1/2014
-- 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, AVX
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
Sandy Bridge E Architecture Ivy Bridge EX
32 nm Technology 22 nm
LGA 2011 Socket LGA 2011
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
970 $ Release price 3100 $
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
15.0 MB L3-Cache 30.0 MB