Intel Core i7-5960X vs AMD FX-9590

Last updated:

CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i7-5960X or Intel Core i7-5960X – 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 i7-5960X features 8 processor cores and has the capability to manage 16 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q3/2014 and belongs to the 5 generation of the Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition series.
To use the Intel Core i7-5960X, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 2011-3 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 5000X Group AMD FX-9000
5 Generation 2
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i7-5960X Name AMD FX-9590
Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition Family AMD FX
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i7-5960X has 8 CPU cores and can calculate 16 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-5960X is 3.0 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 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.
16 Threads 8
8x Cores 8x
8 CPU Cores 8
normal Core architecture normal
Yes Hyperthreading No
Yes Overclocking Yes
3.5 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 5.0 GHz
3.0 GHz Frequency 4.7 GHz
3.2 GHz Turbo Frequency (all cores) 5.0 GHz
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i7-5960X 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 68.2 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
DDR4-2133 Memory type DDR3-1866
No ECC Yes
64.0 GB Max. Memory 0 bytes
4 Memory channels 2
68.2 GB/s Bandwidth --
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 140 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.
140 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 220 W
-- Tjunction max --
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i7-5960X 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 20.0 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.
Q3/2014 Release date Q3/2013
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d Virtualization AMD-V
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2 ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, FMA3, FMA4
22 nm Technology 32 nm
Monolithic Chip design --
829 $ Release price 270 $
Haswell E Architecture Vishera (Piledriver)
20.0 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 2011-3 Socket AM3+
0 bytes L2-Cache 0 bytes
 
 

Benchmarks

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
28928
28928
AMD FX-9590
8C 8T @ 4.7 GHz
13110
13110

Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark

Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
12709
12709
AMD FX-9590
8C 8T @ 4.7 GHz
10465
10465

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
7843
7843
AMD FX-9590
8C 8T @ 4.7 GHz
3020
3020

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
3944
3944
AMD FX-9590
8C 8T @ 4.7 GHz
1737
1737

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
3773
3773
AMD FX-9590
8C 8T @ 4.7 GHz
2587
2587

Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
1360
1360
AMD FX-9590
8C 8T @ 4.7 GHz
713
713

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
1002
1002
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
Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
254.1
254.1

Cinebench R15 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
177
177
AMD FX-9590
8C 8T @ 4.7 GHz
114
114

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

Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
13.2
13.2
AMD FX-9590
8C 8T @ 4.7 GHz
8.5
8.5

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

Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
1.9
1.9
AMD FX-9590
8C 8T @ 4.7 GHz
1.4
1.4