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 i 4000X Group Intel Core i 2000M
Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition Family Intel Core i5
4 Generation 2
Intel Core i7-4960X Name Intel Core i5-2515E
 
 

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
3.6 GHz Frequency 2.5 GHz
6 CPU Cores 2
6x Cores 2x
normal Core architecture normal
4.0 GHz Turbo Frequency (all cores) None
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
12 Threads 4
4.0 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 3.1 GHz
 
 

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.
-- Direct X 10.1
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 2.0 GB
-- Execution units 6
-- Generation 6
-- GPU (Turbo) 1.1 GHz
-- Release date Q1/2011
GPU name Intel HD Graphics 2000
-- Shaders 48
-- Max. displays --
-- Technology 32 nm
-- GPU frequency 0.85 GHz
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

-- AI hardware --
-- AI specifications --
 
 

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.
-- h264 Decode / Encode
-- h265 / HEVC (10 bit) No
-- AVC Decode / Encode
-- VC-1 Decode
-- h265 / HEVC (8 bit) No
-- VP9 No
-- AV1 No
-- JPEG No
-- VP8 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.
No ECC No
64.0 GB Max. Memory 16.0 GB
4 Memory channels 2
Yes AES-NI Yes
DDR3-1866 Memory type DDR3-1333
pci PCIe pci
59.7 GB/s Bandwidth 21.3 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.
The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 35 W watts.
-- Tjunction max 100 °C
130 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 35 W
 
 

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.
-- Part Number --
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
0 bytes L2-Cache 0 bytes
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
960 $ Release price --
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT
15.0 MB L3-Cache 3.0 MB
Q3/2013 Release date Q1/2011
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
LGA 2011 Socket BGA 1023
Ivy Bridge E Architecture Sandy Bridge H
22 nm Technology 32 nm
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX