Core i7-4960X vs Core i7-9850HE

Core i7-4960X

6 Cores12 Thrd130 WWMax: 4 GHz2013

Core i7-9850HE

6 Cores12 Thrd45 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2019

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-4960X

6 / 12

9,935

0.0%

9,972

+0.4%

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 i7-4960X is positioned at rank 998 and the Core i7-9850HE is on rank 449, so the Core i7-9850HE 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 i7-4960X

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

31047%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

29337%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

21301%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

6417%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

5083%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

4447%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

2547%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

2514%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

2289%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

2288%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

2263%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

2202%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

2171%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

2162%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

2143%

#998

Core i7-4960X

MSRP: $990|Avg: $136

100%

#999

Pentium Dual-Core E2200

MSRP: $100|Avg: $25

98%

#1001

Core 2 Duo E4400

MSRP: $113|Avg: $20

97%

#1002

Pentium D 915

MSRP: $74|Avg: $10

95%

#1003

Core 2 Quad Q9400

MSRP: $229|Avg: $25

94%

#1004

Core i5-655K

MSRP: $216|Avg: $55

93%

#1005

Celeron 450

MSRP: $53|Avg: $5

93%

#1006

Core 2 Duo E4600

MSRP: $133|Avg: $9.6

93%

#1008

Core i7-870S

MSRP: $300|Avg: $80

92%

#1009

Core 2 Duo E6540

MSRP: $163|Avg: $15

91%

#1010

Celeron 430

MSRP: $49|Avg: $10

91%

#1011

Athlon X2 BE-2300

MSRP: $100|Avg: $80

90%

#1012

Core i7-875K

MSRP: $353|Avg: $175

90%

#1013

Core i5-670

MSRP: $284|Avg: $100

90%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-9850HE

#437

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

588%

#438

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

580%

#439

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

532%

#440

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

530%

#441

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

525%

#443

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

507%

#444

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

486%

#445

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

485%

#446

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

472%

#449

Core i7-9850HE

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

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 Core i7-9850HE (2019) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4-2666, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i7-4960X	Core i7-9850HE
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($136)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge-E (2013) / 22 nm)	✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-HR (2019) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-4960X (2013) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i7-4960X	Core i7-9850HE
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($136)	✅ 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.

Core i7-4960X Benchmark Check

Core i7-9850HE Benchmark Check

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-4960X and Core i7-9850HE

Core i7-4960X

The Core i7-4960X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge-E (2013) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 9,935 points. Launch price was $999.

Core i7-9850HE

The Core i7-9850HE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Junho 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-HR (2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 9,972 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-4960X and Core i7-9850HE share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i7-4960X versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i7-9850HE — a 9.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-9850HE (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i7-4960X uses the Ivy Bridge-E (2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-9850HE uses Coffee Lake-HR (2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4960X scores 9,935 against the Core i7-9850HE's 9,972 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i7-9850HE. L3 cache: 15 MB (total) on the Core i7-4960X vs 9 MB (total) on the Core i7-9850HE.

Feature	Core i7-4960X	Core i7-9850HE
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4 GHz	4.4 GHz+10%
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+33%	2.7 GHz
L3 Cache	15 MB (total)+67%	9 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge-E (2013)	Coffee Lake-HR (2019)
PassMark	9,935	9,972
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,329
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	5,990

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4960X uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-9850HE uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1866 on the Core i7-4960X versus DDR4 2666 MHz on the Core i7-9850HE — the Core i7-9850HE supports 200% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 4 (Core i7-4960X) vs 2 (Core i7-9850HE). PCIe lanes: 40 (Core i7-4960X) vs 16 (Core i7-9850HE) — the Core i7-4960X offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i7-4960X	Core i7-9850HE
Socket	LGA2011	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1866	DDR4 2666 MHz+33%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	64 GB
RAM Channels	4+100%	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	40+150%	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-4960X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-4960X) vs true (Core i7-9850HE). The Core i7-9850HE includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-4960X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-4960X targets Desktop, Core i7-9850HE targets Embedded.