Core i9-7960X vs Xeon W-3323
Core i9-7960X
Xeon W-3323
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 i9-7960X
Performance Per Dollar Xeon W-3323
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i9-7960X | Xeon W-3323 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($185) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($500) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Skylake (server) (2017−2018) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Ice Lake-W (2021) / 10 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i9-7960X | Xeon W-3323 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+172%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($185) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($500) |
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 i9-7960X and Xeon W-3323
Core i9-7960X
The Core i9-7960X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 22 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 28,020 points. Launch price was $1,699.
Xeon W-3323
The Xeon W-3323 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Ice Lake-W (2021) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4189. Thermal design power (TDP): 220 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 27,822 points. Launch price was $800.
Processing Power
The Core i9-7960X packs 16 cores / 32 threads, while the Xeon W-3323 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Core i9-7960X has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i9-7960X versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon W-3323 — a 12% clock advantage for the Core i9-7960X (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i9-7960X uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon W-3323 uses Ice Lake-W (2021) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-7960X scores 28,020 against the Xeon W-3323's 27,822 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i9-7960X. L3 cache: 22 MB (total) on the Core i9-7960X vs 18 MB (total) on the Xeon W-3323.
| Feature | Core i9-7960X | Xeon W-3323 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 16 / 32+33% | 12 / 24 |
| Boost Clock | 4.4 GHz+13% | 3.9 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.8 GHz | 3.5 GHz+25% |
| L3 Cache | 22 MB (total)+22% | 18 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 10 nm-29% |
| Architecture | Skylake (server) (2017−2018) | Ice Lake-W (2021) |
| PassMark | 28,020 | 27,822 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 22,189 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,394 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i9-7960X uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W-3323 uses LGA4189 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i9-7960X | Xeon W-3323 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2066 | LGA4189 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 4.0+33% |
| Max RAM Speed | 2666 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 | — |
| RAM Channels | 4 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 44 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: true (Core i9-7960X) / not specified (Xeon W-3323).
| Feature | Core i9-7960X | Xeon W-3323 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | — |
| Unlocked | Yes | — |
| AVX-512 | Yes | — |
| Virtualization | true | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i9-7960X launched at $1699 MSRP, while the Xeon W-3323 debuted at $949. At current prices ($185 vs $500), the Core i9-7960X is $315 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-7960X delivers 151.5 pts/$ vs 55.6 pts/$ for the Xeon W-3323 — making the Core i9-7960X the 92.5% better value option.
| Feature | Core i9-7960X | Xeon W-3323 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $1699 | $949-44% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $185-63% | $500 |
| Performance per Dollar | 151.5+172% | 55.6 |
| Release Date | 2017 | 2021 |
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