Core i5-1240U vs Core i7-5960X

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 i5-1240U vs Core i7-5960X 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 i5-1240U vs Core i7-5960X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-1240U

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 10W instead of 140W, a 131W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1781 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, while Core i7-5960X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 20 MB).

Core i7-5960X

2014

Why buy it

✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).
✅185.7% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 14) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-1240U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (13,382 vs 13,387).
❌Launch MSRP is still $999 MSRP, while Core i5-1240U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌1373.7% higher power demand at 140W vs 9.5W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2011 with DDR4, while Core i5-1240U moves to FCBGA1781 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-1240U better than Core i7-5960X?

Yes. Core i5-1240U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 9.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-1240U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 9.7% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-1240U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i5-1240U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-1240U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $999 MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-5960X only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2014 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (13.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-1240U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2014), a healthier platform with FCBGA1781 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011, and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 12 threads instead of 8/16. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-1240U vs Core i7-5960X Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-1240U

The Core i5-1240U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 February 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture. It features 10 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1781. Thermal design power (TDP): 9.5 MB + 12 MB. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 13,387 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i7-5960X

The Core i7-5960X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-E (2014) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 13,382 points. Launch price was $999.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-1240U packs 10 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-5960X offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i5-1240U has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-1240U versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i7-5960X — a 22.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-1240U (base: 1.1 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i5-1240U uses the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-5960X uses Haswell-E (2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-1240U scores 13,387 against the Core i7-5960X's 13,382 — a 0% lead for the Core i5-1240U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,650 vs 1,244, a 28.1% lead for the Core i5-1240U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-1240U vs 20 MB (total) on the Core i7-5960X.

Feature	Core i5-1240U	Core i7-5960X
Cores / Threads	10 / 12+25%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+26%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	3 GHz+173%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	20 MB (total)+67%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	Intel 7 nm-68%	22 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-U (2022)	Haswell-E (2014)
PassMark	13,387	13,382
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	9,720
Geekbench 6 Single	1,650+33%	1,244
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	7,412

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-1240U uses the FCBGA1781 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i7-5960X uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR5-5200 on the Core i5-1240U versus DDR4-2133 on the Core i7-5960X — the Core i5-1240U supports 143.8% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-1240U) vs 4 (Core i7-5960X). PCIe lanes: 14 (Core i5-1240U) vs 40 (Core i7-5960X) — the Core i7-5960X offers 26 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i5-1240U	Core i7-5960X
Socket	FCBGA1781	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR5-5200+144%	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	14	40+186%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-1240U) vs Yes (Core i7-5960X). The Core i5-1240U includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics 80EU), while the Core i7-5960X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-1240U targets Thin & Light Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-1240U rivals Ryzen 5 5600U.