Intel Xeon E5-2697 v2 vs Intel Core i7-3960X

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Xeon E5-2697 v2 or Intel Xeon E5-2697 v2 – 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 Xeon E5-2697 v2 features 12 processor cores and has the capability to manage 24 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q3/2013 and belongs to the 4 generation of the Intel Xeon E5 series.
To use the Intel Xeon E5-2697 v2, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 2011 socket.
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.
Intel Xeon E5 v2 Group Intel Core i 3000X
4 Generation 3
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Xeon E5-2697 v2 Name Intel Core i7-3960X
Intel Xeon E5 Family Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Xeon E5-2697 v2 has 12 CPU cores and can calculate 24 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Xeon E5-2697 v2 is 2.7 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.5 GHz.
The number of CPU cores greatly affects the speed of the processor and is an important performance indicator.
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.
24 Threads 12
12x Cores 6x
12 CPU Cores 6
normal Core architecture normal
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
No Overclocking Yes
3.5 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 3.9 GHz
2.7 GHz Frequency 3.3 GHz
None None 3.9 GHz
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Xeon E5-2697 v2 does not have integrated graphics.
The Intel Core i7-3960X does not have integrated graphics.
-- Shaders --
-- Release date --
-- Technology --
-- Direct X --
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 0 bytes
-- Max. displays --
-- Execution units --
-- GPU frequency --
-- Generation --
-- GPU (Turbo) --
GPU name
 
 

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

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 768.0 GB distributed across 4 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 59.7 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 51.2 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI Yes
DDR3-1866 Memory type DDR3-1600
Yes ECC No
768.0 GB Max. Memory 64.0 GB
4 Memory channels 4
59.7 GB/s Bandwidth 51.2 GB/s
 
 

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

Technical details

The Intel Xeon E5-2697 v2 is manufactured using a 22 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 30.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The Intel Core i7-3960X is manufactured using a 32 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 15.0 MB cache.
Q3/2013 Release date Q4/2011
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d (C2 Stepping)
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX
22 nm Technology 32 nm
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
1975 $ Release price 970 $
Ivy Bridge EP Architecture Sandy Bridge E
30.0 MB L3-Cache 15.0 MB
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
-- Part Number --
LGA 2011 Socket LGA 2011
0 bytes L2-Cache 0 bytes
 
 

Benchmarks

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Xeon E5-2697 v2
12C 24T @ 2.7 GHz
52150
52150
Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.3 GHz
19300
19300

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Xeon E5-2697 v2
12C 24T @ 2.7 GHz
7782
7782
Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.3 GHz
4973
4973

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Intel Xeon E5-2697 v2
12C 24T @ 2.7 GHz
5167
5167
Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.3 GHz
3488
3488

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

Intel Xeon E5-2697 v2
12C 24T @ 2.7 GHz
4519
4519
Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.3 GHz
2643
2643

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.3 GHz
3314
3314
Intel Xeon E5-2697 v2
12C 24T @ 2.7 GHz
2540
2540

Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core)

Intel Xeon E5-2697 v2
12C 24T @ 2.7 GHz
1557
1557
Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.3 GHz
1158
1158

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.3 GHz
736
736
Intel Xeon E5-2697 v2
12C 24T @ 2.7 GHz
702
702

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

Intel Xeon E5-2697 v2
12C 24T @ 2.7 GHz
13.3
13.3
Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.3 GHz
11.4
11.4