Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition vs Core Ultra 7 164U

CPU

GPU

Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition

6 Cores12 Thrd130 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2011

Core Ultra 7 164U

12 Cores14 Thrd0 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2023

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition

6 / 12

12,460

0.0%

12,625

+1.3%

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 i7-3960X Extreme Edition is positioned at rank 951 and the Core Ultra 7 164U is on rank 675, so the Core Ultra 7 164U 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 i7-3960X Extreme Edition

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

24759%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

23395%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

16986%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

5117%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

4053%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

3546%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

2031%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

2004%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

1825%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

1825%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

1805%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

1756%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

1731%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

1724%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

1709%

#951

Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition

MSRP: $990|Avg: $150

100%

#952

Celeron E1200

MSRP: $53|Avg: $98

100%

#954

Core i5-660

MSRP: $196|Avg: $150

99%

#955

Athlon II X2 250

MSRP: $87|Avg: $15

99%

#956

Core i3-2120T

MSRP: $127|Avg: $38

98%

#957

Phenom II X3 720

MSRP: $130|Avg: $64

98%

#958

Pentium E6300

MSRP: $84|Avg: $15

98%

#959

Core i5-661

MSRP: $196|Avg: $40

97%

#960

Core i3-4150

MSRP: $281|Avg: $70

96%

#961

Core i5-750

MSRP: $210|Avg: $30

96%

#962

Core i3-2100T

MSRP: $127|Avg: $127

96%

#963

Pentium E2210

MSRP: $84|Avg: $15

95%

#964

Core i3-560

MSRP: $138|Avg: $10

95%

#965

Core i3-550

MSRP: $138|Avg: $5

94%

#966

Core i7-980

MSRP: $583|Avg: $50

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core Ultra 7 164U

#663

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

930%

#664

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

916%

#665

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

841%

#666

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

837%

#667

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

829%

#669

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

801%

#670

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

768%

#671

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

767%

#672

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

746%

#675

Core Ultra 7 164U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#681

Core i3-N305

MSRP: $309|Avg: $309

98%

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 Ultra 7 164U (2023) utilizes 7 nm technology and DDR5, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition	Core Ultra 7 164U
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($150)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)	✨ Modern (Meteor Lake-U (2023) / 7 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

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

Insight	Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition	Core Ultra 7 164U
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($150)	✅ More affordable ($0)

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 i7-3960X Extreme Edition Benchmark Check

Core Ultra 7 164U Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Core Ultra 7 164U

Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition

The Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 November 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Max frequency: 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB. L2 cache: 1,536 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 12,460 points. Launch price was $149.

Core Ultra 7 164U

The Core Ultra 7 164U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Meteor Lake-U (2023) architecture. It features 12 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2551. Thermal design power (TDP): + 12 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 12,625 points. Launch price was $448.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 164U offers 12 cores / 14 threads — the Core Ultra 7 164U has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition versus 4.8 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 164U — a 37% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 7 164U. The Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core Ultra 7 164U uses Meteor Lake-U (2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition scores 12,460 against the Core Ultra 7 164U's 12,625 — a 1.3% lead for the Core Ultra 7 164U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 800 vs 2,131, a 90.8% lead for the Core Ultra 7 164U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 15 MB on the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition vs 12 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 7 164U.

Feature	Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition	Core Ultra 7 164U
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	12 / 14+100%
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz	4.8 GHz+45%
Base Clock	—	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	15 MB+25%	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1,536 kB	2 MB (per core)+33%
Process	32 nm	7 nm-78%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Meteor Lake-U (2023)
PassMark	12,460	12,625+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	8,766
Geekbench 6 Single	800	2,131+166%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	8,973

🧠

Memory & Platform

Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition versus LPDDR5x-6400 on the Core Ultra 7 164U — the Core Ultra 7 164U supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 4 (Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition) vs 2 (Core Ultra 7 164U). PCIe lanes: 40 (Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition) vs 12 (Core Ultra 7 164U) — the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition offers 28 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X79 (Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition) and Meteor Lake-U (Core Ultra 7 164U).

Feature	Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition	Core Ultra 7 164U
Socket	—	FCBGA2551
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 5.0+150%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	LPDDR5x-6400+67%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	64 GB
RAM Channels	4+100%	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	40+233%	12

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 7 164U). The Core Ultra 7 164U includes integrated graphics (Intel Arc), while the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition targets HEDT Desktop, Core Ultra 7 164U targets Enthusiast. Direct competitor: Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition rivals FX-8350; Core Ultra 7 164U rivals Ryzen 7 7840U.