Core i7-3960X vs Xeon E5-2628 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 vs Xeon E5-2628 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 vs Xeon E5-2628 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

2011

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2628 V3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (8,402 vs 8,447).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (15 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2628 V3, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $999 MSRP, while Xeon E5-2628 V3 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E5-2628 V3

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.8% 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.
✅Draws 85W instead of 130W, a 45W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2628 V3 better than Core i7-3960X?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2628 V3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-3960X 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 E5-2628 V3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.8% 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 E5-2628 V3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% 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 E5-2628 V3 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Xeon E5-2628 V3 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $999 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-3960X only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (8.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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?

Xeon E5-2628 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 vs Xeon E5-2628 V3 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.

Xeon E5-2628 V3

The Xeon E5-2628 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 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 85 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 8,447 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-3960X packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-2628 V3 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-2628 V3 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-3960X versus 3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2628 V3 — a 26.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-3960X (base: 3.3 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i7-3960X uses the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E5-2628 V3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3960X scores 8,402 against the Xeon E5-2628 V3's 8,447 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon E5-2628 V3. L3 cache: 15 MB (total) on the Core i7-3960X vs 20 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2628 V3.

Feature	Core i7-3960X	Xeon E5-2628 V3
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+30%	3 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+32%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	15 MB (total)	20 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	8,402	8,447
Geekbench 6 Single	658	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	4,973	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3960X uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E5-2628 V3 uses LGA2011-3 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-3960X	Xeon E5-2628 V3
Socket	LGA2011	LGA2011-3
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	—