Core i7-960 vs Core i3-4150
Core i7-960
Core i3-4150
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. The Core i7-960 is positioned at rank 979 and the Core i3-4150 is on rank 960, so the Core i3-4150 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-960
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-4150
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-960 | Core i3-4150 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($110) | ✅ More affordable ($70) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Bloomfield (2008−2010) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-960 | Core i3-4150 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+57%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($110) | ✅ More affordable ($70) |
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 i7-960 and Core i3-4150
Core i7-960
The Core i7-960 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 October 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.46 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,400 points. Launch price was $316.
Core i3-4150
The Core i3-4150 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 54 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333/1600, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 3,406 points. Launch price was $69.
Processing Power
The Core i7-960 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i3-4150 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i7-960 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.46 GHz on the Core i7-960 versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i3-4150 — a 1.1% clock advantage for the Core i3-4150 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i7-960 uses the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i3-4150 uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-960 scores 3,400 against the Core i3-4150's 3,406 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i3-4150. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-960 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-4150.
| Feature | Core i7-960 | Core i3-4150 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8+100% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.46 GHz | 3.5 GHz+1% |
| Base Clock | 3.2 GHz | 3.5 GHz+9% |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total)+167% | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 22 nm-51% |
| Architecture | Bloomfield (2008−2010) | Haswell (2013−2015) |
| PassMark | 3,400 | 3,406 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 1,071 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-960 uses the LGA1366 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-4150 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i7-960 | Core i3-4150 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1366 | LGA1150 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR3-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-960) / VT-x, EPT (Core i3-4150). The Core i3-4150 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4400), while the Core i7-960 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4150 targets Budget Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-4150 rivals FX-6300.
| Feature | Core i7-960 | Core i3-4150 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | HD Graphics 4400 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, EPT |
| Target Use | — | Budget Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-960 launched at $309 MSRP, while the Core i3-4150 debuted at $281. At current prices ($110 vs $70), the Core i3-4150 is $40 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-960 delivers 30.9 pts/$ vs 48.7 pts/$ for the Core i3-4150 — making the Core i3-4150 the 44.6% better value option.
| Feature | Core i7-960 | Core i3-4150 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $309 | $281-9% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $110 | $70-36% |
| Performance per Dollar | 30.9 | 48.7+58% |
| Release Date | 2009 | 2014 |
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