Core i7-960 vs Core i5-2405S
Core i7-960
Core i5-2405S
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 i5-2405S is on rank 981, so the Core i7-960 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 i5-2405S
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-960 | Core i5-2405S |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($110) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($120) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Bloomfield (2008−2010) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-960 | Core i5-2405S |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+9%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($110) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($120) |
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 i5-2405S
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 i5-2405S
The Core i5-2405S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 22 May 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,397 points. Launch price was $472.
Processing Power
The Core i7-960 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Core i5-2405S's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.46 GHz on the Core i7-960 versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-2405S — a 4.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-960 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i7-960 uses the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-2405S uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-960 scores 3,400 against the Core i5-2405S's 3,397 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i7-960. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-960 vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-2405S.
| Feature | Core i7-960 | Core i5-2405S |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.46 GHz+5% | 3.3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.2 GHz+28% | 2.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total)+33% | 6 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 32 nm-29% |
| Architecture | Bloomfield (2008−2010) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 3,400 | 3,397 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 557 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 1,480 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-960 uses the LGA1366 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-2405S uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i7-960 | Core i5-2405S |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1366 | LGA1155 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR3-1333 |
| 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 i5-2405S). The Core i5-2405S includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Core i7-960 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2405S targets Budget.
| Feature | Core i7-960 | Core i5-2405S |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel HD Graphics 3000 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x / EPT |
| Target Use | — | Budget |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-960 launched at $309 MSRP, while the Core i5-2405S debuted at $309. At current prices ($110 vs $120), the Core i7-960 is $10 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-960 delivers 30.9 pts/$ vs 28.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-2405S — making the Core i7-960 the 8.8% better value option.
| Feature | Core i7-960 | Core i5-2405S |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $309 | $309 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $110-8% | $120 |
| Performance per Dollar | 30.9+9% | 28.3 |
| Release Date | 2009 | 2011 |
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