Core i7-5960X vs Core i7-8700K
Core i7-5960X
Core i7-8700K
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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-5960X
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-8700K
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-5960X | Core i7-8700K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($83) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($160) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell-E (2014) / 22 nm) | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-5960X | Core i7-8700K |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+90%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($83) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($160) |
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 i7-5960X and Core i7-8700K
Core i7-5960X
The Core i7-5960X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-E (2014) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 13,382 points. Launch price was $999.
Core i7-8700K
The Core i7-8700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 October 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 12288 kB. L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 13,572 points. Launch price was $359.
Processing Power
The Core i7-5960X packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i7-8700K offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i7-5960X has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i7-5960X versus 4.7 GHz on the Core i7-8700K — a 29.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-8700K (base: 3 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i7-5960X uses the Haswell-E (2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-8700K uses Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-5960X scores 13,382 against the Core i7-8700K's 13,572 — a 1.4% lead for the Core i7-8700K. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i7-5960X vs 12288 kB on the Core i7-8700K.
| Feature | Core i7-5960X | Core i7-8700K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 16+33% | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 3.5 GHz | 4.7 GHz+34% |
| Base Clock | 3 GHz | 3.7 GHz+23% |
| L3 Cache | 20 MB (total)+67% | 12288 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 22 nm | 14 nm-36% |
| Architecture | Haswell-E (2014) | Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) |
| PassMark | 13,382 | 13,572+1% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 9,720 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,244 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 7,412 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-5960X uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-8700K uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2133 memory speed. The Core i7-8700K supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Core i7-5960X) vs 2 (Core i7-8700K). PCIe lanes: 40 (Core i7-5960X) vs 16 (Core i7-8700K) — the Core i7-5960X offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X99 (Core i7-5960X) and Intel 300 series (Core i7-8700K).
| Feature | Core i7-5960X | Core i7-8700K |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2011 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2133 | DDR4-2666 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB | 128 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 4+100% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 40+150% | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: Yes (Core i7-5960X) / not specified (Core i7-8700K). The Core i7-8700K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-5960X requires a dedicated GPU.
| Feature | Core i7-5960X | Core i7-8700K |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | Yes | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-5960X launched at $999 MSRP, while the Core i7-8700K debuted at $359. At current prices ($83 vs $160), the Core i7-5960X is $77 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-5960X delivers 161.2 pts/$ vs 84.8 pts/$ for the Core i7-8700K — making the Core i7-5960X the 62.1% better value option.
| Feature | Core i7-5960X | Core i7-8700K |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $999 | $359-64% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $83-48% | $160 |
| Performance per Dollar | 161.2+90% | 84.8 |
| Release Date | 2014 | 2017 |
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