Core i7-960
VS
Core i5-4340M

Core i7-960 vs Core i5-4340M

Intel

Core i7-960

4 Cores8 Thrd130 WWMax: 3.46 GHz2009
VS
Intel

Core i5-4340M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2014

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 i5-4340M is on rank 374, so the Core i5-4340M 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 i7-960

#1
Ryzen 9 7950X
MSRP: $194|Avg: $20
28338%
#2
Core i9-10900T
MSRP: $120|Avg: $5
26776%
#3
Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE
MSRP: $423|Avg: $5
19442%
#4
Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85
5857%
#5
Ryzen 9 9950X
MSRP: $649|Avg: $129
4639%
#6
Ryzen 5 8400F
MSRP: $303|Avg: $55
4059%
#7
Ryzen 7 PRO 2700
MSRP: $299|Avg: $60
2325%
#8
Ryzen 5 2600X
MSRP: $229|Avg: $55
2294%
#9
Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G
MSRP: $150|Avg: $60
2089%
#10
Core Ultra 5 245KF
MSRP: $294|Avg: $189
2089%
#11
Ryzen 5 5500
MSRP: $159|Avg: $85
2065%
#12
Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP: $199|Avg: $80
2010%
#13
Core i3-9100E
MSRP: $202|Avg: $30
1982%
#14
Core Ultra 5 245K
MSRP: $319|Avg: $200
1974%
#15
Core i3-8300T
MSRP: $138|Avg: $25
1956%
#978
E1-1500
MSRP: $60|Avg: $10
100%
#979
Core i7-960
MSRP: $309|Avg: $110
100%
#980
Core i5-2405S
MSRP: $309|Avg: $120
100%
#981
Celeron 420
MSRP: $39|Avg: $15
99%
#982
Athlon II X4 615e
MSRP: $186|Avg: $30
99%
#983
Athlon X2 BE-2350
MSRP: $90|Avg: $10
98%
#984
Core 2 Quad Q8300
MSRP: $179|Avg: $10
97%
#985
Core i7-860
MSRP: $284|Avg: $30
96%
#986
Core i7-870
MSRP: $300|Avg: $80
96%
#987
Athlon 64 X2 5000+
MSRP: $136|Avg: $42
95%
#988
Core i3-6102E
MSRP: $225|Avg: $35
95%
#989
Pentium Dual-Core E2160
MSRP: $84|Avg: $5
95%
#990
Pentium Dual-Core E2210
MSRP: $98|Avg: $15
93%
#991
Core 2 Duo E7500
MSRP: $113|Avg: $10
93%
#992
Core 2 Quad Q9505
MSRP: $213|Avg: $150
93%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-4340M

#362
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
521%
#363
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
513%
#364
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
471%
#365
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
469%
#366
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
465%
#368
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
449%
#369
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
430%
#370
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
430%
#371
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
418%
#374
Core i5-4340M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#375
Pentium Dual Core T3200
MSRP: $64|Avg: $5
100%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i5-4340M leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i7-960 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.6% greater multi-core processing power.
InsightCore i7-960Core i5-4340M
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($110)
More affordable ($0)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Bloomfield (2008−2010) / 45 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightCore i7-960Core i5-4340M
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($110)
More affordable ($0)

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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-960 and Core i5-4340M

Intel

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.

Intel

Core i5-4340M

The Core i5-4340M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 January 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 37 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,380 points. Launch price was $266.

Processing Power

The Core i7-960 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i5-4340M 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 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-4340M — a 4% clock advantage for the Core i5-4340M (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i7-960 uses the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-4340M uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-960 scores 3,400 against the Core i5-4340M's 3,380 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i7-960. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-960 vs 3 MB on the Core i5-4340M.

FeatureCore i7-960Core i5-4340M
Cores / Threads
4 / 8+100%
2 / 4
Boost Clock
3.46 GHz
3.6 GHz+4%
Base Clock
3.2 GHz+10%
2.9 GHz
L3 Cache
8 MB (total)+167%
3 MB
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
512 kB+100%
Process
45 nm
22 nm-51%
Architecture
Bloomfield (2008−2010)
Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark
3,400
3,380
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-960 uses the LGA1366 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-4340M uses PGA946 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i7-960Core i5-4340M
Socket
LGA1366
PGA946
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 3.0+50%