Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition
VS
Xeon E-2334

Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition vs Xeon E-2334

Intel

Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition

6 Cores12 Thrd130 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2011
VS
Intel

Xeon E-2334

4 Cores8 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2021

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. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition is positioned at rank 951 and the Xeon E-2334 is on rank 268, so the Xeon E-2334 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

#1
Ryzen 9 7950X
MSRP: $194|Avg: $20
24759%
#2
Core i9-10900T
MSRP: $120|Avg: $5
23395%
#3
Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE
MSRP: $423|Avg: $5
16986%
#4
Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85
5117%
#5
Ryzen 9 9950X
MSRP: $649|Avg: $129
4053%
#6
Ryzen 5 8400F
MSRP: $303|Avg: $55
3546%
#7
Ryzen 7 PRO 2700
MSRP: $299|Avg: $60
2031%
#8
Ryzen 5 2600X
MSRP: $229|Avg: $55
2004%
#9
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 Xeon E-2334

#1
Xeon Platinum 8454H
MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A
4202%
#6
Xeon Gold 6240R
MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A
793%
#10
Xeon 6337P
MSRP: $60|Avg: $5
705%
#15
EPYC 9174F
MSRP: $194|Avg: $30
545%
#220
Xeon 6520P
MSRP: $1295|Avg: $1295
100%
#221
Xeon Gold 6314U
MSRP: $2977|Avg: N/A
99%
#222
Xeon E-2478
MSRP: $568|Avg: $269
99%
#223
Xeon W-1390
MSRP: $494|Avg: $400
98%
#225
Xeon W-1250
MSRP: $285|Avg: $333
97%
#268
Xeon E-2334
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#282
Ryzen 5 PRO 1500
MSRP: $189|Avg: $50
97%
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 Xeon E-2334 (2021) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4-3200, providing a fundamental performance advantage.
InsightCore i7-3960X Extreme EditionXeon E-2334
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 (Rocket Lake-E (2021) / 14 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.
InsightCore i7-3960X Extreme EditionXeon E-2334
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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition and Xeon E-2334

Intel

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.

Intel

Xeon E-2334

The Xeon E-2334 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Rocket Lake-E (2021) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 12,364 points. Launch price was $800.

Processing Power

The Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E-2334 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 4.8 GHz on the Xeon E-2334 — a 37% clock advantage for the Xeon E-2334. The Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E-2334 uses Rocket Lake-E (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition scores 12,460 against the Xeon E-2334's 12,364 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition. L3 cache: 15 MB on the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E-2334.

FeatureCore i7-3960X Extreme EditionXeon E-2334
Cores / Threads
6 / 12+50%
4 / 8
Boost Clock
3.3 GHz
4.8 GHz+45%
Base Clock
3.4 GHz
L3 Cache
15 MB+88%
8 MB (total)
L2 Cache
1,536 kB+200%
512K (per core)
Process
32 nm
14 nm-56%
Architecture
Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Rocket Lake-E (2021)
PassMark
12,460
12,364
Geekbench 6 Single
800
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition) / not specified (Xeon E-2334). Primary use case: Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition targets HEDT Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition rivals FX-8350.

FeatureCore i7-3960X Extreme EditionXeon E-2334
Integrated GPU
No
IGPU Model
None
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
HEDT Desktop