Intel Core i7-6950X vs Intel Core i7-5960X

Last updated:

CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i7-6950X or Intel Core i7-6950X – 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 i7-6950X features 10 processor cores and has the capability to manage 20 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q2/2016 and belongs to the 6 generation of the Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition series.
To use the Intel Core i7-6950X, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 2011-3 socket.
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.
Intel Core i 6000X Group Intel Core i 5000X
6 Generation 5
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i7-6950X Name Intel Core i7-5960X
Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition Family Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i7-6950X has 10 CPU cores and can calculate 20 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-6950X 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 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
20 Threads 16
10x Cores 8x
10 CPU Cores 8
normal Core architecture normal
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
Yes Overclocking Yes
3.5 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 3.5 GHz
3.0 GHz Frequency 3.0 GHz
None None 3.2 GHz
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i7-6950X does not have integrated graphics.
The Intel Core i7-5960X 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 128.0 GB distributed across 4 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 76.8 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 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
DDR4-2400 Memory type DDR4-2133
No ECC No
128.0 GB Max. Memory 64.0 GB
4 Memory channels 4
76.8 GB/s Bandwidth 68.2 GB/s
 
 

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.
140 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 140 W
-- Tjunction max --
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i7-6950X is manufactured using a 14 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 25.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The Intel Core i7-5960X is manufactured using a 22 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 20.0 MB cache.
Q2/2016 Release date Q3/2014
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2 ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2
14 nm Technology 22 nm
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
-- Release price 829 $
Broadwell E Architecture Haswell E
25.0 MB L3-Cache 20.0 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 LGA 2011-3
0 bytes L2-Cache 0 bytes
 
 

Benchmarks

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-6950X
10C 20T @ 3.0 GHz
32399
32399
Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
28928
28928

Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark

Intel Core i7-6950X
10C 20T @ 3.0 GHz
17377
17377
Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
12709
12709

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-6950X
10C 20T @ 3.0 GHz
8993
8993
Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
7843
7843

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
7640
7640
Intel Core i7-6950X
10C 20T @ 3.0 GHz
7421
7421

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-6950X
10C 20T @ 3.0 GHz
5950
5950
Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
3944
3944

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
3773
3773
Intel Core i7-6950X
10C 20T @ 3.0 GHz
3387
3387

Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-6950X
10C 20T @ 3.0 GHz
1819
1819
Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
1360
1360

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-6950X
10C 20T @ 3.0 GHz
1237
1237
Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
1154
1154

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
1002
1002
Intel Core i7-6950X
10C 20T @ 3.0 GHz
974
974

Cinebench R15 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
177
177
Intel Core i7-6950X
10C 20T @ 3.0 GHz
152
152

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

Intel Core i7-6950X
10C 20T @ 3.0 GHz
19.1
19.1
Intel Core i7-5960X
8C 16T @ 3.0 GHz
13.2
13.2