Core i5-1140G7 vs Core i7-3960X

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 i5-1140G7 vs Core i7-3960X 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 i5-1140G7 vs Core i7-3960X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-1140G7

2020

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 5W instead of 130W, a 125W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-3960X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 15 MB).

Core i7-3960X

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (8,402 vs 8,471).
❌Launch MSRP is still $999 MSRP, while Core i5-1140G7 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌2500% higher power demand at 130W vs 5W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-1140G7 better than Core i7-3960X?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-3960X is ahead with a 4.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-1140G7 pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark. Core i7-3960X also has the bigger cache pool with 87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-1140G7 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i5-1140G7 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-1140G7 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $999 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark. Core i7-3960X only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (8.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA2011.

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

Core i5-1140G7 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-1140G7 vs Core i7-3960X Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-1140G7

The Core i5-1140G7 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 September 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-UP4 (2020−2021) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 5 MB. Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1598. Thermal design power (TDP): 5 MB + 8 MB. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 8,471 points. Launch price was $149.

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.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-1140G7 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i7-3960X offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i7-3960X has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i5-1140G7 versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-3960X — a 7.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-1140G7 (base: 1.8 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i5-1140G7 uses the Tiger Lake-UP4 (2020−2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Core i7-3960X uses Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-1140G7 scores 8,471 against the Core i7-3960X's 8,402 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i5-1140G7. L3 cache: 8 MB on the Core i5-1140G7 vs 15 MB (total) on the Core i7-3960X.

Feature	Core i5-1140G7	Core i7-3960X
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+8%	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	1.8 GHz	3.3 GHz+83%
L3 Cache	8 MB	15 MB (total)+88%
L2 Cache	5 MB+1900%	256 kB (per core)
Process	10 nm SuperFin-69%	32 nm
Architecture	Tiger Lake-UP4 (2020−2021)	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)
PassMark	8,471	8,402
Geekbench 6 Single	—	658
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	4,973

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-1140G7 uses the FCBGA1598 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i7-3960X uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-1140G7	Core i7-3960X
Socket	FCBGA1598	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+100%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	64 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	40