Core i3-N300 vs Core i7-3960X

CPU

GPU

Core i3-N300

8 Cores8 Thrd0 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2023

Core i7-3960X

6 Cores12 Thrd130 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2011

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-N300

8 / 8

8,283

0.0%

8,402

+1.4%

About PassMark

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i3-N300 is positioned at rank 761 and the Core i7-3960X is on rank 1024, so the Core i3-N300 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-N300

#749

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1094%

#750

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1078%

#751

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

990%

#752

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

985%

#753

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

976%

#755

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

943%

#756

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

904%

#757

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

903%

#758

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

878%

#761

Core i3-N300

MSRP: $309|Avg: $309

100%

#767

Core i7-1250U

MSRP: $426|Avg: N/A

99%

#772

Core i7-9750HF

MSRP: $395|Avg: $395

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3960X

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

37065%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

35023%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

25429%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

7661%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

6068%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

5308%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

3040%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

3001%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

2732%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

2732%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

2701%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

2629%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

2592%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

2581%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

2558%

#396

Ryzen Embedded R2314

MSRP: $300|Avg: $762

91%

#1024

Core i7-3960X

MSRP: $999|Avg: $60

100%

#1025

Celeron 2.70

MSRP: $49|Avg: $49

99%

#1027

A10 PRO-7850B

MSRP: $426|Avg: $140

96%

#1028

Core 2 Quad Q8200

MSRP: $224|Avg: $36

96%

#1029

A12-9800E

MSRP: $426|Avg: $150

95%

#1030

Phenom II X6 1065T

MSRP: $426|Avg: $170

95%

#1031

Celeron 440

MSRP: $59|Avg: $10

95%

#1032

A8-3820

MSRP: $280|Avg: $200

93%

#1033

Core i7-860S

MSRP: $299|Avg: $96

92%

#1035

PRO A10-8770E

MSRP: $395|Avg: $210

90%

#1036

Core 2 Duo E4700

MSRP: $133|Avg: $10

90%

#1037

Athlon 64 X2 5800+

MSRP: $230|Avg: $20

90%

#1038

Phenom II X2 B53

MSRP: $150|Avg: $15

90%

#1039

Core 2 Quad Q9300

MSRP: $266|Avg: $27

90%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i3-N300 (2023) utilizes Intel 7 nm technology and DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800, LPDDR5-4800, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i3-N300	Core i7-3960X
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($309)	✅ More affordable ($60)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Alder Lake-N (2023) / Intel 7 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-3960X (2011) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i3-N300	Core i7-3960X
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+422%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($309)	✅ More affordable ($60)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i3-N300 Benchmark Check

Core i7-3960X Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-N300 and Core i7-3960X

Core i3-N300

The Core i3-N300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-N (2023) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 0.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per module). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Thermal design power (TDP): 7 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800, LPDDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 8,283 points. Launch price was $309.

Core i7-3960X

The Core i7-3960X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 November 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 8,402 points. Launch price was $861.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-N300 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i7-3960X offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i3-N300 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i3-N300 versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-3960X — a 2.6% clock advantage for the Core i7-3960X (base: 0.1 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i3-N300 uses the Alder Lake-N (2023) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-3960X uses Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-N300 scores 8,283 against the Core i7-3960X's 8,402 — a 1.4% lead for the Core i7-3960X. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-N300 vs 15 MB (total) on the Core i7-3960X.

Feature	Core i3-N300	Core i7-3960X
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+33%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	3.9 GHz+3%
Base Clock	0.1 GHz	3.3 GHz+3200%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	15 MB (total)+150%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per module)+700%	256 kB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-78%	32 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-N (2023)	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)
PassMark	8,283	8,402+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	—	658
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	4,973

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-N300 uses the FCBGA1264 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i7-3960X uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-N300	Core i7-3960X
Socket	FCBGA1264	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+150%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	64 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	40

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-N300) / Yes (Core i7-3960X).

Feature	Core i3-N300	Core i7-3960X
Integrated GPU	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	Yes

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i3-N300 launched at $309 MSRP, while the Core i7-3960X debuted at $999. At current prices ($309 vs $60), the Core i7-3960X is $249 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-N300 delivers 26.8 pts/$ vs 140.0 pts/$ for the Core i7-3960X — making the Core i7-3960X the 135.7% better value option.