Intel Core i7-3960X vs AMD FX-9590

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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 AMD FX-9590 features 8 processor cores and has the capability to manage 8 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q3/2013 and belongs to the 2 generation of the AMD FX series.
To use the AMD FX-9590, you'll need a motherboard with a AM3+ socket.
Intel Core i 3000X Group AMD FX-9000
3 Generation 2
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i7-3960X Name AMD FX-9590
Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition Family AMD FX
 
 

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 AMD FX-9590 has 8 CPU cores and can calculate 8 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the AMD FX-9590 is 4.7 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 5.0 GHz.
12 Threads 8
6x Cores 8x
6 CPU Cores 8
normal Core architecture normal
Yes Hyperthreading No
Yes Overclocking Yes
3.9 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 5.0 GHz
3.3 GHz Frequency 4.7 GHz
3.9 GHz Turbo Frequency (all cores) 5.0 GHz
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i7-3960X does not have integrated graphics.
The AMD FX-9590 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 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
DDR3-1600 Memory type DDR3-1866
No ECC Yes
64.0 GB Max. Memory 0 bytes
4 Memory channels 2
51.2 GB/s Bandwidth --
 
 

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 220 W watts.
130 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 220 W
-- Tjunction max --
 
 

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 AMD FX-9590 is manufactured using a 32 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 8.0 MB cache.
Q4/2011 Release date Q3/2013
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d (C2 Stepping) Virtualization AMD-V
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, FMA3, FMA4
32 nm Technology 32 nm
Monolithic Chip design --
970 $ Release price 270 $
Sandy Bridge E Architecture Vishera (Piledriver)
15.0 MB L3-Cache 8.0 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 AM3+
0 bytes L2-Cache 0 bytes
 
 

Benchmarks

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.3 GHz
19300
19300
AMD FX-9590
8C 8T @ 4.7 GHz
13110
13110

Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark

AMD FX-9590
8C 8T @ 4.7 GHz
10465
10465
Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.3 GHz
8454
8454

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.3 GHz
4973
4973
AMD FX-9590
8C 8T @ 4.7 GHz
3020
3020

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.3 GHz
3314
3314
AMD FX-9590
8C 8T @ 4.7 GHz
2587
2587

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.3 GHz
2643
2643
AMD FX-9590
8C 8T @ 4.7 GHz
1737
1737

Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.3 GHz
1158
1158
AMD FX-9590
8C 8T @ 4.7 GHz
713
713

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.3 GHz
804
804
AMD FX-9590
8C 8T @ 4.7 GHz
634
634

Blender 2.81 (bmw27)

AMD FX-9590
8C 8T @ 4.7 GHz
625.9
625.9

Cinebench R15 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.3 GHz
159
159
AMD FX-9590
8C 8T @ 4.7 GHz
114
114

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

Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.3 GHz
11.4
11.4
AMD FX-9590
8C 8T @ 4.7 GHz
8.5
8.5

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

Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.3 GHz
1.6
1.6
AMD FX-9590
8C 8T @ 4.7 GHz
1.4
1.4