Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition vs Ryzen 5 2600E
Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition
Ryzen 5 2600E
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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. The Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition is positioned at rank #951 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition | Ryzen 5 2600E |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($150) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | ✨ Modern (Zen+ (2018−2019) / 12 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition | Ryzen 5 2600E |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($150) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Ryzen 5 2600E
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 5 2600E
The Ryzen 5 2600E is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 19 September 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Zen+ (2018−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 12,346 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
Both the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Ryzen 5 2600E share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition versus 4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 2600E — a 19.2% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 2600E. The Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Ryzen 5 2600E uses Zen+ (2018−2019) (12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition scores 12,460 against the Ryzen 5 2600E's 12,346 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition. L3 cache: 15 MB on the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 2600E.
| Feature | Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition | Ryzen 5 2600E |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 3.3 GHz | 4 GHz+21% |
| Base Clock | — | 3.1 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 15 MB | 16 MB (total)+7% |
| L2 Cache | 1,536 kB+200% | 512K (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 12 nm-63% |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Zen+ (2018−2019) |
| PassMark | 12,460 | 12,346 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 800 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition) / not specified (Ryzen 5 2600E). 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 5 2600E |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | — |
| IGPU Model | None | — |
| Unlocked | Yes | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | — |
| Target Use | HEDT Desktop | — |
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The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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