PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i3-4150 vs Core i7-960 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i3-4150 vs Core i7-960: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-4150

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $28 less on MSRP ($281 MSRP vs $309 MSRP).
✅Delivers 10.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 12.1 vs 11.0 PassMark/$ ($281 MSRP vs $309 MSRP).
✅Draws 54W instead of 130W, a 76W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-960 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 8 MB).

Core i7-960

2009

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,400 vs 3,406).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 11.0 vs 12.1 PassMark/$ ($309 MSRP vs $281 MSRP).
❌140.7% higher power demand at 130W vs 54W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-4150 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-4150.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-4150 better than Core i7-960?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-960 is ahead with a 3.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4150 pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark. Core i7-960 also has the bigger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4150 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i3-4150 is the better buy right now. Core i3-4150 comes in $28 cheaper on MSRP at $281 MSRP versus $309 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-960 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 10.2% better value on MSRP (12.1 vs 11.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-4150 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-4150 vs Core i7-960 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i3-4150

The Core i3-4150 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 54 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333/1600, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 3,406 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i7-960

The Core i7-960 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 October 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.46 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,400 points. Launch price was $316.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-4150 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-960 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-960 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i3-4150 versus 3.46 GHz on the Core i7-960 — a 1.1% clock advantage for the Core i3-4150 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i3-4150 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-960 uses Bloomfield (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4150 scores 3,406 against the Core i7-960's 3,400 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i3-4150. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-4150 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-960.

Feature	Core i3-4150	Core i7-960
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz+1%	3.46 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+9%	3.2 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+167%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Bloomfield (2008−2010)
PassMark	3,406	3,400
Geekbench 6 Single	1,071	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4150 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-960 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-4150	Core i7-960
Socket	LGA1150	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, EPT (Core i3-4150) / not specified (Core i7-960). The Core i3-4150 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4400), while the Core i7-960 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4150 targets Budget Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-4150 rivals FX-6300.

Feature	Core i3-4150	Core i7-960
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 4400	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, EPT	—
Target Use	Budget Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-4150 was priced at $281, while the Core i7-960 came in at $309. On launch pricing ($281 vs $309), Core i3-4150 was $28 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-4150 delivers 12.1 pts/$ vs 11.0 pts/$ for the Core i7-960 — making the Core i3-4150 the 9.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-4150	Core i7-960
MSRP	$281-9%	$309
Performance per Dollar	12.1+10%	11.0
Release Date	2014	2009

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