Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition
Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE
Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition vs Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE Performance Spectrum
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.
Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition vs Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE 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.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
League of Legends
Valorant
Among Us
Apex Legends
ARC Raiders
Baldur's Gate 3
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition vs Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict
See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.
Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition
2011Why buy it
- ✅+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
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ❌Lower PassMark (12,460 vs 12,626).
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 12.6 vs 84.7 PassMark/$ ($990 MSRP vs $149 MSRP).
- ❌271.4% higher power demand at 130W vs 35W.
Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE
2021Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +22.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅Costs $841 less on MSRP ($149 MSRP vs $990 MSRP).
- ✅Delivers 573.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 84.7 vs 12.6 PassMark/$ ($149 MSRP vs $990 MSRP).
- ✅Draws 35W instead of 130W, a 95W reduction.
Trade-offs
- ❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 15 MB).
Quick Answers
So, is Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE better than Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition?
Which one is better for gaming?
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition vs Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE Technical Specifications
Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.
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.
Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE
The Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 June 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Cezanne (2021−2025) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 12,626 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE — a 24% clock advantage for the Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE. The Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE uses Cezanne (2021−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition scores 12,460 against the Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE's 12,626 — a 1.3% lead for the Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE. L3 cache: 15 MB on the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition vs 8 MB on the Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE.
| Feature | Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition | Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12+50% | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.3 GHz | 4.2 GHz+27% |
| Base Clock | — | 3.6 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 15 MB+88% | 8 MB |
| L2 Cache | 1,536 kB+200% | 512K (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 7 nm-78% |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Cezanne (2021−2025) |
| PassMark | 12,460 | 12,626+1% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 800 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition) / not specified (Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE). Primary use case: Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition targets HEDT Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition rivals FX-8350.
| Feature | Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition | Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | — |
| IGPU Model | None | — |
| Unlocked | Yes | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | — |
| Target Use | HEDT Desktop | — |
Value Analysis
At launch, the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition was priced at $990, while the Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE came in at $149. On launch pricing ($990 vs $149), Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE was $841 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition delivers 12.6 pts/$ vs 84.7 pts/$ for the Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE — making the Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE the 148.3% better value option.
| Feature | Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition | Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $990 | $149-85% |
| Performance per Dollar | 12.6 | 84.7+572% |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2021 |
Affiliate Disclosure
ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE
