Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition vs Xeon E5-1660 v3

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 Xeon E5-1660 v3 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.

Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition vs Xeon E5-1660 v3: 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

2011

Why buy it

✅Costs $90 less on MSRP ($990 MSRP vs $1,080 MSRP).
✅Delivers 8.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 12.6 vs 11.7 PassMark/$ ($990 MSRP vs $1,080 MSRP).
✅Draws 130W instead of 140W, a 10W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-1660 v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (12,460 vs 12,582).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (15 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-1660 v3, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads.

Xeon E5-1660 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +22.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 15 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 11.7 vs 12.6 PassMark/$ ($1,080 MSRP vs $990 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-1660 v3 better than Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-1660 v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-1660 v3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 22.4% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-1660 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 15 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Xeon E5-1660 v3 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Xeon E5-1660 v3 comes in 9.1% more expensive on MSRP at $1,080 MSRP versus $990 MSRP, and it still gives you a 22.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 8.0% better value on paper (12.6 vs 11.7 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on that older platform.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Xeon E5-1660 v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2011), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 15 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition vs Xeon E5-1660 v3 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.

Xeon E5-1660 v3

The Xeon E5-1660 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1333, DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 12,582 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-1660 v3 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-1660 v3 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-1660 v3 — a 5.9% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-1660 v3. The Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E5-1660 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition scores 12,460 against the Xeon E5-1660 v3's 12,582 — a 1% lead for the Xeon E5-1660 v3. L3 cache: 15 MB on the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition vs 20 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1660 v3.

Feature	Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition	Xeon E5-1660 v3
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz	3.5 GHz+6%
Base Clock	—	3 GHz
L3 Cache	15 MB	20 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	1,536 kB+500%	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	12,460	12,582
Geekbench 6 Single	800	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition) / not specified (Xeon E5-1660 v3). 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	Xeon E5-1660 v3
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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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition was priced at $990, while the Xeon E5-1660 v3 came in at $1080. On launch pricing ($990 vs $1080), Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition was $90 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition delivers 12.6 pts/$ vs 11.7 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-1660 v3 — making the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition the 7.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition	Xeon E5-1660 v3
MSRP	$990-8%	$1080
Performance per Dollar	12.6+8%	11.7
Release Date	2011	2014

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