Intel Core i7-4960X vs Intel Core i7-3930K

Last updated:

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 i7-3930K 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 i7-3930K, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 2011 socket.
Intel Core i7-4960X Name Intel Core i7-3930K
Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition Family Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition
Intel Core i 4000X Group Intel Core i 3000X
4 Generation 3
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
 
 

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 i7-3930K has 6 CPU cores and can calculate 12 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-3930K is 3.2 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.8 GHz.
normal Core architecture normal
12 Threads 12
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
4.0 GHz Turbo Frequency (all cores) 3.8 GHz
4.0 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 3.8 GHz
3.6 GHz Frequency 3.2 GHz
6x Cores 6x
Yes Overclocking Yes
6 CPU Cores 6
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i7-4960X does not have integrated graphics.
The Intel Core i7-3930K does not have integrated graphics.
-- Execution units --
-- GPU (Turbo) --
-- Max. displays --
-- Generation --
-- Direct X --
-- Release date --
-- Technology --
-- Shaders --
GPU name
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 0 bytes
-- GPU frequency --
 
 

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.
-- JPEG --
-- VC-1 --
-- AVC --
-- VP8 --
-- VP9 --
-- h264 --
-- AV1 --
-- h265 / HEVC (10 bit) --
-- h265 / HEVC (8 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 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.
59.7 GB/s Bandwidth 51.2 GB/s
DDR3-1866 Memory type DDR3-1600
64.0 GB Max. Memory 64.0 GB
No ECC No
4 Memory channels 4
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI Yes
 
 

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 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 i7-3930K is manufactured using a 32 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 12.0 MB cache.
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
LGA 2011 Socket LGA 2011
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d (C2 Stepping)
Q3/2013 Release date Q4/2011
-- Part Number --
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
22 nm Technology 32 nm
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
960 $ Release price 480 $
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
15.0 MB L3-Cache 12.0 MB
0 bytes L2-Cache 0 bytes
Ivy Bridge E Architecture Sandy Bridge E
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX
 
 

Benchmarks

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-3930K
6C 12T @ 3.2 GHz
20711
20711
Intel Core i7-4960X
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
20120
20120

Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark

Intel Core i7-4960X
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
10145
10145
Intel Core i7-3930K
6C 12T @ 3.2 GHz
8254
8254

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-4960X
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
5189
5189
Intel Core i7-3930K
6C 12T @ 3.2 GHz
4576
4576

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-3930K
6C 12T @ 3.2 GHz
3542
3542
Intel Core i7-4960X
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
3460
3460

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-3930K
6C 12T @ 3.2 GHz
3201
3201
Intel Core i7-4960X
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
3062
3062

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-4960X
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
2868
2868
Intel Core i7-3930K
6C 12T @ 3.2 GHz
2588
2588

Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-4960X
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
1092
1092
Intel Core i7-3930K
6C 12T @ 3.2 GHz
915
915

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-4960X
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
757
757
Intel Core i7-3930K
6C 12T @ 3.2 GHz
731
731

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

Intel Core i7-4960X
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
11.7
11.7
Intel Core i7-3930K
6C 12T @ 3.2 GHz
10.2
10.2