Intel Core i9 9960X 16-core LGA 2066
The 16-core, 32-thread Skylake X design with a 4.4GHz boost and 22MB L3 cache delivers strong multi-threaded performance for heavy workloads. Its 165W TDP and unlocked multiplier on LGA 2066 make it a flexible choice for overclocking on X299 boards. Best for professionals running productivity or AI workloads who need high core counts without opting for the top-tier i9-9980XE.
Cores 16
Threads 32
Boost Clock 4400 MHz
L3 Cache 22 MB
TDP 165 W
Socket LGA 2066
69 Overall Score
Price £1,588
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong ai (89th percentile) 89th
- Strong multi thread (84th percentile) 84th
- Strong platform (82nd percentile) 82nd
- Strong efficiency (75th percentile) 75th
Cons
- Below average affordability (17th percentile)
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Processor
| Brand | Intel |
| Series | Core i9 |
| Model | 9960X |
| Codename | Skylake X |
| Class | desktop |
| Process | 14 |
Cores & Clocks
| Cores | 16 |
| Threads | 32 |
| Base Clock | 3100 |
| Boost Clock | 4400 |
Cache
| L2 Cache | 16 |
| L3 Cache | 22 MB |
Performance
| PassMark Multi | 29550 |
| PassMark Single | 2587 |
Memory
| Memory Type | DDR4 |
| Max Speed | 2666 |
| Channels | 4 |
| ECC | No |
Platform & Power
| Socket | LGA 2066 |
| PCIe | 3 |
| PCIe Lanes | 44 |
| TDP | 165 |
| Unlocked | Yes |
vs Competition
| Spec | Intel Core i9 9960X | AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D | HP Xeon 6526Y | CG CHIPS GATE EPYC 6GK7443-1EX30-0XE0 1PC New 6GK7443-1EX30-0XE0 Communications Processor | MICRO CENTER 9950X3DMAGX870ETMKWF | G.Skill Trident Z Neo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cores | 16 | 8 | 16 | 24 | - | 6 |
| Threads | 32 | 16 | 32 | 48 | - | 12 |
| Boost Clock Mhz | 4400 | 5200 | 3900 | 4000 | - | 4200 |
| L3 Cache Mb | 22 | 96 | 37 | 128 | - | 32 |
| Tdp W | 165 | 120 | 195 | 200 | - | 65 |
| Socket | LGA 2066 | AM5 | LGA 4677 | AMD Socket SP3 | - | AMD Socket AM4 |
| Integrated Graphics | - | AMD Radeon Graphics | No | - | - | - |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AI | Feature | Platform | Efficiency | Multi Thread | Social Proof | Affordability | Single Thread |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Core i9 9960X | 88.9 | 62.9 | 81.7 | 75.1 | 84.4 | 70.5 | 17.4 | 73.8 |
| AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Compare | 91.6 | 98.6 | 95.2 | 88.7 | 89.1 | 96.4 | 23.3 | 95 |
| HP Xeon 6526Y Compare | 92 | 77.4 | 90.8 | 79.3 | 89.8 | 0 | 2.7 | 80.5 |
| CG CHIPS GATE EPYC 6GK7443-1EX30-0XE0 1PC New 6GK7443-1EX30-0XE0 Communications Processor Compare | 94.8 | 77.4 | 84.4 | 85 | 93.8 | 36.2 | 5.3 | 80.4 |
| MICRO CENTER 9950X3DMAGX870ETMKWF Compare | 85.7 | 20.6 | 17.4 | 66.6 | 97 | 0 | 6.4 | 98.3 |
| G.Skill Trident Z Neo Compare | 72.3 | 87.5 | 78.9 | 84.2 | 72.1 | 0 | 20.5 | 72.6 |
Price
Value & Pricing
From £1,588
Amazon 1 offer From £1,588
Price History
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
