Core i7-2960XM vs Processor N95

Core i7-2960XM

4 Cores8 Thrd55 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2011

Processor N95

4 Cores4 Thrd0 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2023

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-2960XM

4 / 8

4,709

0.0%

4,783

+1.6%

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 i7-2960XM is positioned at rank 60 and the Processor N95 is on rank 695, so the Core i7-2960XM 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 i7-2960XM

#13

Ryzen 3 210

MSRP: $99|Avg: $99

99%

#14

Ryzen 5 PRO 230

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

98%

#15

Ryzen 5 220

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

93%

#48

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

218%

#49

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

215%

#50

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

197%

#51

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

196%

#52

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

195%

#54

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

188%

#55

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

180%

#56

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

180%

#57

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

175%

#60

Core i7-2960XM

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#65

Core i5-3320M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

99%

#66

Core i7-4510U

MSRP: $393|Avg: N/A

98%

#69

Core 2 Quad Q9100

MSRP: $14|Avg: $14

96%

#75

Core i3-4030U

MSRP: $281|Avg: N/A

93%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Processor N95

#682

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

982%

#683

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

967%

#684

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

888%

#685

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

884%

#686

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

876%

#688

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

846%

#689

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

811%

#690

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

810%

#691

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

788%

#695

Processor N95

MSRP: $160|Avg: $80

100%

#698

Athlon Silver 3050e

MSRP: $100|Avg: $60

100%

#703

C-60

MSRP: $50|Avg: $20

99%

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 Processor N95 (2023) utilizes 10 nm technology and DDR4, DDR5, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i7-2960XM	Processor N95
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($80)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)	✨ Modern (Alder Lake-N (2023) / 10 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-2960XM (2011) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i7-2960XM	Processor N95
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($80)

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 i7-2960XM Benchmark Check

Processor N95 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-2960XM and Processor N95

Core i7-2960XM

The Core i7-2960XM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 September 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,709 points. Launch price was $1,096.

Processor N95

The Processor N95 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 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 0.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Thermal design power (TDP): + 6 MB. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 4,783 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-2960XM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Processor N95's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i7-2960XM versus 3.4 GHz on the Processor N95 — a 8.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-2960XM (base: 2.7 GHz vs 0.1 GHz). The Core i7-2960XM uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Processor N95 uses Alder Lake-N (2023) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2960XM scores 4,709 against the Processor N95's 4,783 — a 1.6% lead for the Processor N95. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-2960XM vs 6 MB (total) on the Processor N95.

Feature	Core i7-2960XM	Processor N95
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+9%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+2600%	0.1 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)+33%	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	2 MB (total)+700%
Process	32 nm	10 nm-69%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Alder Lake-N (2023)
PassMark	4,709	4,783+2%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-2960XM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Processor N95 uses FCBGA1264 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-2960XM	Processor N95
Socket	PGA988	FCBGA1264
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 5.0+150%
Max RAM Speed	1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i7-2960XM) / not specified (Processor N95). The Core i7-2960XM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Processor N95 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-2960XM rivals Core i7-2820QM.