Core i7-8559U vs Core i7-3960X

CPU

GPU

Core i7-8559U

4 Cores8 Thrd28 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2018

Core i7-3960X

6 Cores12 Thrd130 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2011

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-8559U

4 / 8

8,274

0.0%

8,402

+1.5%

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 i7-8559U is positioned at rank 815 and the Core i7-3960X is on rank 1024, so the Core i7-8559U 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 i7-8559U

#803

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1241%

#804

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1223%

#805

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1123%

#806

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1118%

#807

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1107%

#809

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1069%

#810

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1025%

#811

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1024%

#812

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

996%

#815

Core i7-8559U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#818

Core i7-8709G

MSRP: $338|Avg: $150

99%

#819

Celeron M 560

MSRP: $86|Avg: $10

99%

#824

Celeron Dual-Core T3000

MSRP: $80|Avg: $15

95%

#825

Pentium P6100

MSRP: $100|Avg: $16.39

95%

#828

Celeron M 575

MSRP: $86|Avg: $12

94%

#829

Core i7-10710U

MSRP: $415|Avg: N/A

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3960X

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

37065%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

35023%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

25429%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

7661%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

6068%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

5308%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

3040%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

3001%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

2732%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

2732%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

2701%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

2629%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

2592%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

2581%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

2558%

#396

Ryzen Embedded R2314

MSRP: $300|Avg: $762

91%

#1024

Core i7-3960X

MSRP: $999|Avg: $60

100%

#1025

Celeron 2.70

MSRP: $49|Avg: $49

99%

#1027

A10 PRO-7850B

MSRP: $426|Avg: $140

96%

#1028

Core 2 Quad Q8200

MSRP: $224|Avg: $36

96%

#1029

A12-9800E

MSRP: $426|Avg: $150

95%

#1030

Phenom II X6 1065T

MSRP: $426|Avg: $170

95%

#1031

Celeron 440

MSRP: $59|Avg: $10

95%

#1032

A8-3820

MSRP: $280|Avg: $200

93%

#1033

Core i7-860S

MSRP: $299|Avg: $96

92%

#1035

PRO A10-8770E

MSRP: $395|Avg: $210

90%

#1036

Core 2 Duo E4700

MSRP: $133|Avg: $10

90%

#1037

Athlon 64 X2 5800+

MSRP: $230|Avg: $20

90%

#1038

Phenom II X2 B53

MSRP: $150|Avg: $15

90%

#1039

Core 2 Quad Q9300

MSRP: $266|Avg: $27

90%

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 i7-8559U (2018) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i7-8559U	Core i7-3960X
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($60)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-3960X (2011) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i7-8559U	Core i7-3960X
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($60)

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 i7-8559U Benchmark Check

Core i7-3960X Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-8559U and Core i7-3960X

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.

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.

⚡

Processing Power

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

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

🧠

Memory & Platform

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

Feature	Core i7-8559U	Core i7-3960X
Socket	FCBGA1528	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	64 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	40