Core i7-4960X vs Ryzen 3 4300G

Core i7-4960X vs Ryzen 3 4300G Performance Spectrum

Core i7-4960X

6 / 12

9,935

0.0%

9,938

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3995WX

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.

Core i7-4960X vs Ryzen 3 4300G 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 i7-4960X vs Ryzen 3 4300G: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i7-4960X

2013

Why buy it

✅+275% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 4 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (9,935 vs 9,938).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.0 vs 66.7 PassMark/$ ($990 MSRP vs $149 MSRP).
❌100% higher power demand at 130W vs 65W.

Ryzen 3 4300G

2020

Why buy it

✅+0% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $841 less on MSRP ($149 MSRP vs $990 MSRP).
✅Delivers 564.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 66.7 vs 10.0 PassMark/$ ($149 MSRP vs $990 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 130W, a 65W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 15 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 3 4300G better than Core i7-4960X?

Yes. Ryzen 3 4300G is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

For gaming, this matchup is basically a tie in the data we have.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 3 4300G is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Ryzen 3 4300G is the better buy right now. Ryzen 3 4300G comes in $841 cheaper on MSRP at $149 MSRP versus $990 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 564.6% better value on MSRP (66.7 vs 10.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Ryzen 3 4300G makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-4960X vs Ryzen 3 4300G Technical Specifications

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

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.

Ryzen 3 4300G

The Ryzen 3 4300G is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 21 July 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Renoir (2020−2023) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 9,938 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-4960X packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 3 4300G offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-4960X has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i7-4960X versus 4 GHz on the Ryzen 3 4300G — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core i7-4960X uses the Ivy Bridge-E (2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Ryzen 3 4300G uses Renoir (2020−2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4960X scores 9,935 against the Ryzen 3 4300G's 9,938 — a 0% lead for the Ryzen 3 4300G. L3 cache: 15 MB (total) on the Core i7-4960X vs 4 MB (total) on the Ryzen 3 4300G.

Feature	Core i7-4960X	Ryzen 3 4300G
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4 GHz	4 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz	3.8 GHz+6%
L3 Cache	15 MB (total)+275%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB (per core)+100%
Process	22 nm	7 nm-68%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge-E (2013)	Renoir (2020−2023)
PassMark	9,935	9,938

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4960X uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 3 4300G uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-4960X	Ryzen 3 4300G
Socket	LGA2011	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1866	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	4	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	40	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-4960X) / not specified (Ryzen 3 4300G). Primary use case: Core i7-4960X targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i7-4960X	Ryzen 3 4300G
Integrated GPU	No	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-4960X was priced at $990, while the Ryzen 3 4300G came in at $149. On launch pricing ($990 vs $149), Ryzen 3 4300G was $841 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-4960X delivers 10.0 pts/$ vs 66.7 pts/$ for the Ryzen 3 4300G — making the Ryzen 3 4300G the 147.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-4960X	Ryzen 3 4300G
MSRP	$990	$149-85%
Performance per Dollar	10.0	66.7+567%
Release Date	2013	2020

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