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 MX$22,984
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 | SMC EPYC 9555P | MICRO CENTER 9950X3DMAGX870ETMKWF | Dell Inspiron 7700 | PC Server and Parts E5-2697 v2-cr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cores | 16 | 8 | 64 | - | 10 | - |
| Threads | 32 | 16 | 128 | - | 12 | - |
| Boost Clock Mhz | 4400 | 5200 | 4400 | - | 4700 | - |
| L3 Cache Mb | 22 | 96 | 256 | - | 12 | - |
| Tdp W | 165 | 120 | 360 | - | 15 | - |
| Socket | LGA 2066 | AM5 | AMD Socket SP5 | - | Intel BGA 1744 | - |
| Integrated Graphics | - | AMD Radeon Graphics | - | - | Iris Xe 96EU | - |
| 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 |
| SMC EPYC 9555P Compare | 99.3 | 77.4 | 96.7 | 89.5 | 99.4 | 0 | 0.4 | 85.8 |
| MICRO CENTER 9950X3DMAGX870ETMKWF Compare | 85.7 | 20.6 | 17.4 | 66.6 | 97 | 0 | 6.4 | 98.3 |
| Dell Inspiron 7700 Compare | 60.8 | 70.1 | 71.7 | 99.4 | 64.5 | 24.9 | 3.6 | 82.2 |
| PC Server and Parts E5-2697 v2-cr Compare | 50 | 20.6 | 17.4 | 29.3 | 67.9 | 0 | 87 | 44.7 |
Price
Value & Pricing
From MX$22,984
Amazon 2 offers From MX$22,984
Price History
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
