CPU
GPU
Core i7-9700E
Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition
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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-9700E
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-9700E | Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($180) | ✅ More affordable ($150) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake (2017−2019) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-9700E | Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+19%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($180) | ✅ More affordable ($150) |
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 i7-9700E and Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition
Core i7-9700E
The Core i7-9700E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 12,575 points. Launch price was $149.
Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition
The Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 November 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Max frequency: 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB. L2 cache: 1,536 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 12,460 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Core i7-9700E packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i7-9700E has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i7-9700E versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition — a 28.6% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700E. The Core i7-9700E uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700E scores 12,575 against the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition's 12,460 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i7-9700E. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,172 vs 800, a 37.7% lead for the Core i7-9700E that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700E vs 15 MB on the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition.
| Feature | Core i7-9700E | Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 8+33% | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 4.4 GHz+33% | 3.3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.6 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB (total) | 15 MB+25% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 1,536 kB+500% |
| Process | 14 nm-56% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Coffee Lake (2017−2019) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 12,575 | 12,460 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 6,800 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,172+47% | 800 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 6,802 | — |
Memory & Platform
Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700E versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition — the Core i7-9700E supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-9700E supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-9700E) vs 4 (Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-9700E) vs 40 (Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition) — the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H310,B360,H370,Q370,Z370,Z390 (Core i7-9700E) and X79 (Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition).
| Feature | Core i7-9700E | Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | — |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2666+33% | DDR3-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB+100% | 64 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 4+100% |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 40+150% |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: Yes (Core i7-9700E) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition). The Core i7-9700E includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition targets HEDT Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition rivals FX-8350.
| Feature | Core i7-9700E | Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | UHD Graphics 630 | None |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | Yes | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | — | HEDT Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-9700E launched at $259 MSRP, while the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition debuted at $990. At current prices ($180 vs $150), the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition is $30 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-9700E delivers 69.9 pts/$ vs 83.1 pts/$ for the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition — making the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition the 17.3% better value option.
| Feature | Core i7-9700E | Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $259-74% | $990 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $180 | $150-17% |
| Performance per Dollar | 69.9 | 83.1+19% |
| Release Date | 2019 | 2011 |
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