GeekRadar / The comparison desk

COMPARE.

CPU

Intel

Intel Core i7-3960X

Processor

CPU cores: 6
CPU threads: 12
Maximum boost clock: 3.9 GHz
Thermal design power: 130 W

Rendering performance

Benchmark setupMedian score · higher is better

Three-scene Blender rendering throughput. Versions, operating systems and rendering backends remain separate. This is not a gaming score.

Blender 3.6.0 / Linux / CPU

Intel Core i7-3960X 73.66 samples/min 3 complete runs · Middle 50%: 72.39 - 73.72 · 6 core / 12 thread · Latest: 2023-10-18

Community submissions; cooling, power limits and system configuration can affect results.

Graphics & compute benchmarks

Archived cohort medians

GFXBench, GLBenchmark and CompuBench results retain the tested system, API, operating system and resolution. Offscreen tests fix the render resolution; onscreen results also reflect the display workload. These historical submissions do not establish performance in current games.

Bitcoin MiningOS X / OpenCL / compute · mHash/s

Higher is better.

Intel Core i7-3960X

7.08^* mHash/s

Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3960X CPU

Host configuration not reported.

Bitcoin MiningWindows / OpenCL / compute · mHash/s

Higher is better.

Intel Core i7-3960X

7.80^* mHash/s

Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3960X CPU

Host configuration not reported.

Face DetectionOS X / OpenCL / compute · mPixels/s

Higher is better.

Intel Core i7-3960X

6.36^* mPixels/s

Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3960X CPU

Host configuration not reported.

Face DetectionWindows / OpenCL / compute · mPixels/s

Higher is better.

Intel Core i7-3960X

19.16^* mPixels/s

Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3960X CPU

Host configuration not reported.

Ocean Surface SimulationOS X / OpenCL / compute · fps

Higher is better.

Intel Core i7-3960X

63.21^* fps

Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3960X CPU

Host configuration not reported.

Ocean Surface SimulationWindows / OpenCL / compute · fps

Higher is better.

Intel Core i7-3960X

27.38^* fps

Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3960X CPU

Host configuration not reported.

Particle Simulation - 64kOS X / OpenCL / compute · mInteraction/s

Higher is better.

Intel Core i7-3960X

63.03^* mInteraction/s

Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3960X CPU

Host configuration not reported.

Particle Simulation - 64kWindows / OpenCL / compute · mInteraction/s

Higher is better.

Intel Core i7-3960X

77.56^* mInteraction/s

Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3960X CPU

Host configuration not reported.

T-RexOS X / OpenCL / compute · fps

Higher is better.

Intel Core i7-3960X

0.73^* fps

Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3960X CPU

Host configuration not reported.

T-RexWindows / OpenCL / compute · fps

Higher is better.

Intel Core i7-3960X

1.05^* fps

Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3960X CPU

Host configuration not reported.

TV-L1 Optical FlowOS X / OpenCL / compute · mPixels/s

Higher is better.

Intel Core i7-3960X

1.51^* mPixels/s

Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3960X CPU

Host configuration not reported.

TV-L1 Optical FlowWindows / OpenCL / compute · mPixels/s

Higher is better.

Intel Core i7-3960X

1.50^* mPixels/s

Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3960X CPU

Host configuration not reported.

Video CompositionOS X / OpenCL / compute · fps

Higher is better.

Intel Core i7-3960X

2.92^* fps

Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3960X CPU

Host configuration not reported.

Video CompositionWindows / OpenCL / compute · fps

Higher is better.

Intel Core i7-3960X

1.96^* fps

Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3960X CPU

Host configuration not reported.

Median results, not the best run. Sample counts and individual test dates are unreported. Different systems using the same GPU remain separate configurations.

Benchmark results

PassMark · version unreported · cpuMark8,596^*Platform unreported Compare results
PassMark · version unreported · threadMark1,816^*Platform unreported Compare results
PassMark CPU Mark · version unreported · CPU Mark8,609^* pointsPlatform unreported Compare results
Reported score · version unreported · mark12,610^*Platform unreported Compare results

Recorded results

Only the same benchmark, version, workload, scenario and unit share a row. Missing results are not zero. System results include the full submitted hardware and software configuration.

Test version

Blender Cycles / classroomCPU / Linux · 3.6.0 · samples/min

Intel Core i7-3960X

14.29 samples/min

3 submissions · median result

Latest submission: Oct 18, 2023

Rendering backend: CPU
Operating system: Linux
Statistic: Median
Evaluation type: community rendering submissions
CPU cores: 6
CPU threads: 12
CPU sockets: 1

Blender Cycles / Complete suiteCPU / Linux · 3.6.0 · samples/min

Intel Core i7-3960X

73.66 samples/min

3 submissions · median result

Latest submission: Oct 18, 2023

Rendering backend: CPU
Operating system: Linux
Statistic: Median
Evaluation type: community rendering submissions
CPU cores: 6
CPU threads: 12
CPU sockets: 1
25th percentile: 72.387811639836
75th percentile: 73.719923537038

Blender Cycles / junkshopCPU / Linux · 3.6.0 · samples/min

Intel Core i7-3960X

23.34 samples/min

3 submissions · median result

Latest submission: Oct 18, 2023

Rendering backend: CPU
Operating system: Linux
Statistic: Median
Evaluation type: community rendering submissions
CPU cores: 6
CPU threads: 12
CPU sockets: 1

Blender Cycles / monsterCPU / Linux · 3.6.0 · samples/min

Intel Core i7-3960X

35.94 samples/min

3 submissions · median result

Latest submission: Oct 18, 2023

Rendering backend: CPU
Operating system: Linux
Statistic: Median
Evaluation type: community rendering submissions
CPU cores: 6
CPU threads: 12
CPU sockets: 1

Blender Cycles / classroomCPU / Windows · 3.1.0 · samples/min

Intel Core i7-3960X

11.07 samples/min

3 submissions · median result

Latest submission: Mar 26, 2022

Rendering backend: CPU
Operating system: Windows
Statistic: Median
Evaluation type: community rendering submissions
CPU cores: 6
CPU threads: 12
CPU sockets: 1

Blender Cycles / Complete suiteCPU / Windows · 3.1.0 · samples/min

Intel Core i7-3960X

56.22 samples/min

3 submissions · median result

Latest submission: Mar 26, 2022

Rendering backend: CPU
Operating system: Windows
Statistic: Median
Evaluation type: community rendering submissions
CPU cores: 6
CPU threads: 12
CPU sockets: 1
25th percentile: 55.552665829273
75th percentile: 61.658710869635

Blender Cycles / junkshopCPU / Windows · 3.1.0 · samples/min

Intel Core i7-3960X

17.50 samples/min

3 submissions · median result

Latest submission: Mar 26, 2022

Rendering backend: CPU
Operating system: Windows
Statistic: Median
Evaluation type: community rendering submissions
CPU cores: 6
CPU threads: 12
CPU sockets: 1

Blender Cycles / monsterCPU / Windows · 3.1.0 · samples/min

Intel Core i7-3960X

27.89 samples/min

3 submissions · median result

Latest submission: Mar 26, 2022

Rendering backend: CPU
Operating system: Windows
Statistic: Median
Evaluation type: community rendering submissions
CPU cores: 6
CPU threads: 12
CPU sockets: 1

Processing & platform

CPU cores: 6
CPU threads: 12
Base clock: 3.3 GHz
Reported CPU clock: 3.3 GHz^*
Maximum boost clock: 3.9 GHz
Socket / package: FCLGA2011
Process node: 32 nm
Reported chip die area: 435 mm²^*
Chip/package TDP: 130 W^*
Transistors: 2,270 million^*

Cache hierarchy

Smart Cache / shared
Level
Smart Cache
Scope
shared
Size
15 MB

Memory & storage

Memory channels: 4
Video memory type: DDR3 1066/1333/1600^*

CPU memory support

DDR3-1066
Variant / details
Manufacturer CPU memory-controller support; system and module configuration may limit operation.
Technology
DDR3
Transfer rate
1,066 MT/s
DDR3-1333
Variant / details
Manufacturer CPU memory-controller support; system and module configuration may limit operation.
Technology
DDR3
Transfer rate
1,333 MT/s
DDR3-1600
Variant / details
Manufacturer CPU memory-controller support; system and module configuration may limit operation.
Technology
DDR3
Transfer rate
1,600 MT/s

Power specifications

Thermal design power: 130 W

System configuration

Detailed specifications

Specifications 1 · 31 fields

Product Collection: Intel® Core™ X-series Processors^*
Processor Base Frequency: 3.3^* GHz
Max Turbo Frequency: 3.9^* GHz
Cache: 15 MB SmartCache^*
Bus Speed: 5 GT/s DMI2^*
TDP: 130^* W
Embedded Options Available: No^*
Max Memory Size: 64^* GB
Memory Types: DDR3 1066/1333/1600^*
Max nb of Memory Channels: 4^*
Vertical Segment: Desktop^*
Max Memory Bandwidth: 51.2^* GB/s
ECC Memory Supported: No^*
Processor Number: i7-3960X^*
PCI Express Revision: 2^*
Max nb of PCI Express Lanes: 40^*
T: 66.8°C^*
Intel Hyper Threading Technology: Yes^*
Intel Virtualization Technology VTx: Yes^*
Intel 64: Yes^*
Status: End of Life^*
Instruction Set: 64-bit^*
Instruction Set Extensions: SSE4.2, AVX, AES^*
Idle States: Yes^*
Thermal Monitoring Technologies: Yes^*
Execute Disable Bit: Yes^*
Launch Date: Q4'11^*
Lithography: 32^* nm
Recommended Customer Price: $1,059.00^*
nb of Cores: 6^*
nb of Threads: 12^*

Specifications 2 · 12 fields

name: Intel Core i7-3960X @ 3.30GHz^*
cores: 6^*
logicals: 2^*
samples: 633^*
price: 1,803^*
tdp: 130^*
date: 2011-11-01^*
socket: LGA2011^*
category: Desktop^*
speed: 3,300^*
turbo: 3,900^*
cpuCount: 1^*

Specifications 3 · 2 fields

brand: Intel^*
name: Intel Core i7-3960X @ 3.30GHz^*

Specifications 4 · 10 fields

Foundry: Intel^*
Vendor: Intel^*
Product: Intel Core i7-3960X^*
Type: CPU^*
Release Date: 2011-11-14^*
Process Size (nm): 32^* nm
TDP (W): 130^* W
Die Size (mm^2): 435^* mm²
Transistors (million): 2,270^*
Freq (MHz): 3,300^* MHz

Specifications 5 · 41 fields

turbo frequency: 3,900^*
turbo frequency: 3,900^*
cache size: 15,360^*
cache size: 15,360^*
tdp: 130^*
tdp: 130^*
price: 1,059^*
product line: Intel Core X-series Processors^*
socket: FCLGA2011^*
socket: FCLGA2011^*
memory type: DDR3 1066/1333/1600^*
memory type: DDR3 1066/1333/1600^*
cores: 6^*
cores: 6^*
manufacturer Processor benchmark result: intel^*
vertical segment: Desktop^*
vertical segment: Desktop^*
max memory size: 67,108,864^*
max memory size: 67,108,864^*
status: Discontinued^*
status: Discontinued^*
max temp: 66.8^*
max temp: 66.8^*
package size: 52.5mm x 45.0mm^*
package size: 52.5mm x 45.0mm^*
fullname: Intel Core i7-3960X Processor Extreme Edition (15M Cache, up to 3.90 GHz)^*
threads: 12^*
threads: 12^*
name: Intel Core i7-3960X^*
name: Intel Core i7-3960X^*
rating Processor benchmark result: 8,609^*
processor number: i7-3960X^*
processor number: i7-3960X^*
launch date: 2011-11-01^*
launch date: 2011-11-01^*
lithography: 32^*
lithography: 32^*
bus speed: 5^*
bus speed: 5^*
base frequency: 3,300^*
base frequency: 3,300^*

Specifications 6 · 11 fields

name: Intel Core i7-3960X @ 3.30GHz^*
socket: LGA2011^*
category: Desktop^*
price: $1,009.78^*
mark: 12,610^*
value: 12.49^*
single thread: 1,985^*
single thread value: 1.97^*
tdp: 130^*
powerperf: 97^*
testdate: Nov 2011^*

Specifications 7 · 12 fields

cpuName

Intel Core i7-3960X @ 3.30GHz^*

Scope and conditions

benchmark_context

suite: PassMark^*
test_configuration_verified: No^*
comparable: No^*

testDate

2,011^*

Scope and conditions

benchmark_context

suite: PassMark^*
test_configuration_verified: No^*
comparable: No^*

socket

LGA2011^*

Scope and conditions

benchmark_context

suite: PassMark^*
test_configuration_verified: No^*
comparable: No^*

category

Desktop^*

Scope and conditions

benchmark_context

suite: PassMark^*
test_configuration_verified: No^*
comparable: No^*

price

159.99^*

Scope and conditions

benchmark_context

suite: PassMark^*
test_configuration_verified: No^*
comparable: No^*

cpuMark

8,596^*

Scope and conditions

benchmark_context

suite: PassMark^*
test_configuration_verified: No^*
comparable: No^*

cpuValue

53.73^*

Scope and conditions

benchmark_context

suite: PassMark^*
test_configuration_verified: No^*
comparable: No^*

threadMark

1,816^*

Scope and conditions

benchmark_context

suite: PassMark^*
test_configuration_verified: No^*
comparable: No^*

threadValue

11.35^*

Scope and conditions

benchmark_context

suite: PassMark^*
test_configuration_verified: No^*
comparable: No^*

TDP

130^*

Scope and conditions

benchmark_context

suite: PassMark^*
test_configuration_verified: No^*
comparable: No^*

powerPerf

66.12^*

Scope and conditions

benchmark_context

suite: PassMark^*
test_configuration_verified: No^*
comparable: No^*

cores

6^*

Scope and conditions

benchmark_context

suite: PassMark^*
test_configuration_verified: No^*
comparable: No^*

* Provisional data