Core i7-965
VS
Core i7-6600U

Core i7-965 vs Core i7-6600U

Intel

Core i7-965

4 Cores8 Thrd130 WWMax: 3.46 GHz2008
VS
Intel

Core i7-6600U

2 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2015

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 i7-965 is positioned at rank 1086 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 i7-965

#1
Ryzen 9 7950X
MSRP: $194|Avg: $20
91145%
#2
Core i9-10900T
MSRP: $120|Avg: $5
86123%
#3
Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE
MSRP: $423|Avg: $5
62532%
#4
Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85
18838%
#5
Ryzen 9 9950X
MSRP: $649|Avg: $129
14922%
#6
Ryzen 5 8400F
MSRP: $303|Avg: $55
13054%
#7
Ryzen 7 PRO 2700
MSRP: $299|Avg: $60
7477%
#8
Ryzen 5 2600X
MSRP: $229|Avg: $55
7379%
#9
Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G
MSRP: $150|Avg: $60
6719%
#10
Core Ultra 5 245KF
MSRP: $294|Avg: $189
6718%
#11
Ryzen 5 5500
MSRP: $159|Avg: $85
6643%
#12
Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP: $199|Avg: $80
6464%
#13
Core i3-9100E
MSRP: $202|Avg: $30
6373%
#14
Core Ultra 5 245K
MSRP: $319|Avg: $200
6348%
#15
Core i3-8300T
MSRP: $138|Avg: $25
6290%
#1086
Core i7-965
MSRP: $1000|Avg: $40
100%
#1087
Athlon 64 FX-74
MSRP: $499|Avg: $50
97%
#1088
Core 2 Extreme QX9770
MSRP: $1399|Avg: $1399
96%
#1089
Athlon 64 2000+
MSRP: $100|Avg: $20
96%
#1090
Athlon 64 X2 5600+
MSRP: $505|Avg: $15
96%
#1091
Athlon 64 X2 5400+
MSRP: $485|Avg: $78
96%
#1092
Celeron 2.30
MSRP: $100|Avg: $10
95%
#1093
Phenom X4 9450e
MSRP: $450|Avg: $430
94%
#1094
Athlon 64 X2 3800+
MSRP: $354|Avg: $20
90%
#1095
Athlon 64 3000+
MSRP: $149|Avg: $10
88%
#1096
Athlon XP 3100+
MSRP: $150|Avg: $20
83%
#1097
Athlon 64 3300+
MSRP: $200|Avg: $200
76%
#1098
Athlon 64 2800+
MSRP: $178|Avg: $15
69%
#1099
Athlon 64 3700+
MSRP: $272|Avg: $20
67%
#1100
Athlon 64 FX-72
MSRP: $799|Avg: $40
66%
#1101
Athlon 64 X2 4200+
MSRP: $581|Avg: $110
63%
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.
InsightCore i7-965Core i7-6600U
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($40)
More affordable ($0)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Bloomfield (2008−2010) / 45 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-965 (2008) relies on 45 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightCore i7-965Core i7-6600U
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($40)
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 i7-965 and Core i7-6600U

Intel

Core i7-965

The Core i7-965 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Novembro 2008 (17 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: 3,424 points. Launch price was $1,509.

Intel

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 i7-965 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i7-6600U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i7-965 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.46 GHz on the Core i7-965 versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-6600U — a 1.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-965 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i7-965 uses the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i7-6600U uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-965 scores 3,424 against the Core i7-6600U's 3,407 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i7-965. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-965 vs 4 MB on the Core i7-6600U.

FeatureCore i7-965Core 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
3,424
3,407
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-965 uses the LGA1366 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-6600U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i7-965Core i7-6600U
Socket
LGA1366
BGA1356
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 3.0+50%