Intel Core i7-4960X vs Intel Core i5-2515E

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i7-4960X or Intel Core i7-4960X – 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 i7-4960X features 6 processor cores and has the capability to manage 12 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q3/2013 and belongs to the 4 generation of the Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition series.
To use the Intel Core i7-4960X, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 2011 socket.
The Intel Core i5-2515E features 2 processor cores and has the capability to manage 4 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q1/2011 and belongs to the 2 generation of the Intel Core i5 series.
To use the Intel Core i5-2515E, you'll need a motherboard with a BGA 1023 socket.
Desktop / Server Segment Mobile
Intel Core i7-4960X Name Intel Core i5-2515E
Intel Core i 4000X Group Intel Core i 2000M
4 Generation 2
Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition Family Intel Core i5
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i7-4960X has 6 CPU cores and can calculate 12 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-4960X is 3.6 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 4.0 GHz.
The number of CPU cores greatly affects the speed of the processor and is an important performance indicator.
The Intel Core i5-2515E has 2 CPU cores and can calculate 4 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i5-2515E is 2.5 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.1 GHz.
Yes Overclocking No
4.0 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 3.1 GHz
12 Threads 4
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
6x Cores 2x
3.6 GHz Frequency 2.5 GHz
6 CPU Cores 2
normal Core architecture normal
4.0 GHz Turbo Frequency (all cores) None
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i7-4960X does not have integrated graphics.
The Intel Core i5-2515E has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Intel Core i5-2515E uses the Intel HD Graphics 2000, which has 48 texture shaders
and 6 execution units.
The iGPU uses the system's main memory as graphics memory and sits on the processor's die.
-- GPU frequency 0.85 GHz
-- Execution units 6
-- Release date Q1/2011
-- GPU (Turbo) 1.1 GHz
-- Max. displays --
-- Shaders 48
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 2.0 GB
-- Generation 6
-- Direct X 10.1
-- Technology 32 nm
GPU name Intel HD Graphics 2000
 
 

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.
-- h265 / HEVC (8 bit) No
-- AV1 No
-- VP9 No
-- VC-1 Decode
-- VP8 No
-- h264 Decode / Encode
-- JPEG No
-- AVC Decode / Encode
-- h265 / HEVC (10 bit) No
 
 

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 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 16.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 21.3 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
64.0 GB Max. Memory 16.0 GB
DDR3-1866 Memory type DDR3-1333
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI Yes
59.7 GB/s Bandwidth 21.3 GB/s
No ECC No
4 Memory channels 2
 
 

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 35 W watts.
130 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 35 W
-- Tjunction max 100 °C
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i7-4960X 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 15.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The Intel Core i5-2515E is manufactured using a 32 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 3.0 MB cache.
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
0 bytes L2-Cache 0 bytes
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX
15.0 MB L3-Cache 3.0 MB
Q3/2013 Release date Q1/2011
960 $ Release price --
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
-- Part Number --
LGA 2011 Socket BGA 1023
Ivy Bridge E Architecture Sandy Bridge H
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT
22 nm Technology 32 nm
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)