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.
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 5 7600 | Dell Xeon E5-2637 V2 | ADVB3 Phenom II X6 HDT90ZFBGRBOX | be quiet! Ryzen 3 Dark Rock Pro 5 | Thermal Grizzly Ryzen 7 CSF-AM5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cores | 6 | 6 | 32 | 6 | 4 | - |
| Threads | 12 | 12 | 64 | 6 | 4 | - |
| Boost Clock Mhz | 3900 | 5100 | 3500 | 3600 | 3400 | - |
| L3 Cache Mb | 15 | 32 | 256 | 6 | 8 | - |
| Tdp W | 130 | 65 | 200 | 125 | 270 | - |
| Socket | LGA 2011 | AM5 | Socket A/Socket 462 (PGA 462) | AM3 | AM4 | AM5 |
| Integrated Graphics | - | AMD Radeon Graphics | No | - | - | - |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AI | Feature | Platform | User Sentiment | Efficiency | Multi Thread | Social Proof | Affordability | Single Thread |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition 3960X | 54.4 | 62.6 | 74.4 | 50.1 | 43.7 | 56.1 | 76.5 | 37.9 | 44.2 |
| AMD Ryzen 5 7600 Compare | 81.5 | 96.3 | 92.3 | 50.1 | 93.8 | 81.9 | 90.4 | 59.7 | 90 |
| Dell Xeon E5-2637 V2 Compare | 99.1 | 90.9 | 76.4 | 0 | 97.5 | 99.2 | 0 | 88.2 | 88.8 |
| ADVB3 Phenom II X6 HDT90ZFBGRBOX Compare | 32.2 | 74.8 | 54 | 0 | 33.2 | 34.3 | 78 | 54.6 | 33.8 |
| be quiet! Ryzen 3 Dark Rock Pro 5 Compare | 46 | 62.6 | 61 | 0 | 31.3 | 44.3 | 90.4 | 75.8 | 49.8 |
| Thermal Grizzly Ryzen 7 CSF-AM5 Compare | 3.3 | 20.4 | 17.9 | 0 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 96.5 | 97.8 | 3 |
Price
Value & Pricing
Amazon 1 offer From $336
Price History
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
