Core i7-960 vs Core i7-6600U

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 i7-6600U is on rank 925, so the Core i7-6600U 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 i7-6600U

#913

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1636%

#914

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1612%

#915

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1480%

#916

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1474%

#917

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1460%

#919

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1410%

#920

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1352%

#921

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1350%

#922

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1313%

#925

Core i7-6600U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#928

A8-6410

MSRP: $100|Avg: $40

99%

#933

Athlon X2 L310

MSRP: $100|Avg: $20

97%

#939

FX-7600P

MSRP: $150|Avg: $45

95%

#940

Athlon II M300

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

95%

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 i7-6600U (2015) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i7-960	Core i7-6600U
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($110)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Bloomfield (2008−2010) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-960 (2009) relies on 45 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i7-960	Core i7-6600U
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.

Core i7-960 Benchmark Check

Core i7-6600U Benchmark Check

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Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-960 and Core i7-6600U

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 i7-6600U

The Core i7-6600U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,407 points. Launch price was $393.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-960 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i7-6600U 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 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-6600U — a 1.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-960 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i7-960 uses the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i7-6600U uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-960 scores 3,400 against the Core i7-6600U's 3,407 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i7-6600U. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-960 vs 4 MB on the Core i7-6600U.

Feature	Core i7-960	Core i7-6600U
Cores / Threads	4 / 8+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.46 GHz+2%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+23%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)+100%	4 MB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Bloomfield (2008−2010)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	3,400	3,407

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-960 uses the LGA1366 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-6600U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.