Core i7-3960X vs Core i7-8559U

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 vs Core i7-8559U 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 vs Core i7-8559U: 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

2011

Why buy it

✅+1.5% higher PassMark.
✅+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 Core i7-8559U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $999 MSRP, while Core i7-8559U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌364.3% higher power demand at 130W vs 28W.

Core i7-8559U

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 28W instead of 130W, a 102W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (8,274 vs 8,402).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 15 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-8559U better than Core i7-3960X?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-8559U is ahead with a 4.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-3960X pulls ahead with 1.5% better PassMark. Core i7-3960X also has the bigger cache pool with 87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-3960X is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.5% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Core i7-8559U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-8559U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $999 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-3960X only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (8.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA2011.

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

Core i7-8559U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-3960X vs Core i7-8559U Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i7-3960X

The Core i7-3960X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 November 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 8,402 points. Launch price was $861.

Core i7-8559U

The Core i7-8559U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 8,274 points. Launch price was $431.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-3960X packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-8559U offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-3960X has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-3960X versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-8559U — a 14.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-8559U (base: 3.3 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i7-3960X uses the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-8559U uses Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3960X scores 8,402 against the Core i7-8559U's 8,274 — a 1.5% lead for the Core i7-3960X. L3 cache: 15 MB (total) on the Core i7-3960X vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-8559U.

Feature	Core i7-3960X	Core i7-8559U
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	4.5 GHz+15%
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+22%	2.7 GHz
L3 Cache	15 MB (total)+88%	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)	Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019)
PassMark	8,402+2%	8,274
Geekbench 6 Single	658	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	4,973	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3960X uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-8559U uses FCBGA1528 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-3960X	Core i7-8559U
Socket	LGA2011	FCBGA1528
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	4	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	40	—