Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition vs Xeon E5-2618L v4
Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition
Xeon E5-2618L v4
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 E5-2618L v4 is on rank 429, so the Xeon E5-2618L v4 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2618L v4
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition | Xeon E5-2618L v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($150) | ✅ More affordable ($33) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Broadwell (2015−2019) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition | Xeon E5-2618L v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+353%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($150) | ✅ More affordable ($33) |
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 Xeon E5-2618L v4
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 E5-2618L v4
The Xeon E5-2618L v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Max frequency: 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB. L2 cache: 2.5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 75 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 12,429 points. Launch price was $779.
Processing Power
The Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-2618L v4 offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon E5-2618L v4 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition versus 2.2 GHz on the Xeon E5-2618L v4 — a 40% clock advantage for the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition. The Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E5-2618L v4 uses Broadwell (2015−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition scores 12,460 against the Xeon E5-2618L v4's 12,429 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition. L3 cache: 15 MB on the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition vs 25 MB on the Xeon E5-2618L v4.
| Feature | Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition | Xeon E5-2618L v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 10 / 20+67% |
| Boost Clock | 3.3 GHz+50% | 2.2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 15 MB | 25 MB+67% |
| L2 Cache | 1,536 kB | 2.5 MB+67% |
| Process | 32 nm | 14 nm-56% |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Broadwell (2015−2019) |
| PassMark | 12,460 | 12,429 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 800 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition) / not specified (Xeon E5-2618L v4). 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 E5-2618L v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | — |
| IGPU Model | None | — |
| Unlocked | Yes | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | — |
| Target Use | HEDT Desktop | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition launched at $990 MSRP, while the Xeon E5-2618L v4 debuted at $779. At current prices ($150 vs $33), the Xeon E5-2618L v4 is $117 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition delivers 83.1 pts/$ vs 376.6 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2618L v4 — making the Xeon E5-2618L v4 the 127.7% better value option.
| Feature | Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition | Xeon E5-2618L v4 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $990 | $779-21% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $150 | $33-78% |
| Performance per Dollar | 83.1 | 376.6+353% |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2016 |
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