Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition 3960X 6-core LGA 2011
The 32nm Sandy Bridge-E architecture delivers strong multi-threaded throughput with 6 cores, 12 threads, and a 3.9GHz boost clock, backed by a generous 15MB L3 cache. Its unlocked multiplier and quad-channel DDR3 memory controller offer substantial overclocking headroom on the LGA 2011 platform, despite the 130W TDP. This processor is best for users upgrading legacy high-end desktop workstations who need affordable, parallelized rendering power and aren't constrained by modern efficiency standards.
No current retailer price
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong social proof (77th percentile) 77th
- Strong platform (74th percentile) 74th
Cons
What owners think
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
Based on 41 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Processor
| Brand | Intel |
| Series | Core i7 Extreme Edition |
| Model | 3960X |
| Codename | Sandy Bridge-E |
| Class | desktop |
| Process | 32 |
Cores & Clocks
| Cores | 6 |
| Threads | 12 |
| Base Clock | 3300 |
| Boost Clock | 3900 |
Cache
| L2 Cache | 1.5 |
| L3 Cache | 15 MB |
Performance
| PassMark Multi | 8436 |
| PassMark Single | 1778 |
Memory
| Memory Type | DDR3 |
| Max Speed | 1600 |
| Channels | 4 |
Platform & Power
| Socket | LGA 2011 |
| PCIe | 2 |
| PCIe Lanes | 40 |
| TDP | 130 |
| Unlocked | Yes |
vs Competition
| Spec | Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition 3960X | AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D | SMC EPYC 9555P | Hewlett Packard Enterprise Xeon P67080-B21 | ADVB3 Phenom II X6 HDT90ZFBGRBOX | MSI MAG X870E Tomahawk WiFi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cores | 6 | 8 | 64 | 16 | 6 | - |
| Threads | 12 | 16 | 128 | 32 | 6 | - |
| Boost Clock Mhz | 3900 | 5200 | 4400 | 3900 | 3600 | - |
| L3 Cache Mb | 15 | 96 | 256 | 37.5 | 6 | - |
| Tdp W | 130 | 120 | 360 | 195 | 125 | - |
| Socket | LGA 2011 | AM5 | AMD Socket SP5 | LGA 4677 | AM3 | AM5 |
| Integrated Graphics | - | AMD Radeon Graphics | - | No | - | - |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AI | Feature | Platform | User Sentiment | Efficiency | Multi Thread | Social Proof | Single Thread |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition 3960X | 56.5 | 62.6 | 74.4 | 50.3 | 45.7 | 58.8 | 76.5 | 45.7 |
| AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Compare | 91.4 | 98.5 | 95.2 | 92.8 | 87.8 | 90 | 96.5 | 95.7 |
| SMC EPYC 9555P Compare | 99.3 | 77.1 | 96.8 | 0 | 88.8 | 99.4 | 0 | 86 |
| Hewlett Packard Enterprise Xeon P67080-B21 Compare | 91.8 | 77.1 | 90.7 | 0 | 78.2 | 90.8 | 0 | 80.6 |
| ADVB3 Phenom II X6 HDT90ZFBGRBOX Compare | 33.4 | 74.8 | 54 | 0 | 34.8 | 35.8 | 78 | 35.6 |
| MSI MAG X870E Tomahawk WiFi Compare | 3.9 | 20.4 | 91 | 0 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 90.4 | 3.6 |
Price
Value & Pricing
Price History
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
