Ryzen 5 7235HS vs Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition
Ryzen 5 7235HS
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. The Ryzen 5 7235HS is positioned at rank 187 and the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition is on rank 951, so the Ryzen 5 7235HS offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 5 7235HS
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Ryzen 5 7235HS | Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($150) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Rembrandt-R (2023−2025) / 6 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Ryzen 5 7235HS | Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($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 Ryzen 5 7235HS and Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition
Ryzen 5 7235HS
The Ryzen 5 7235HS is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Rembrandt-R (2023−2025) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 6 nm process technology. Socket: FP7. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 12,379 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 Ryzen 5 7235HS packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 7235HS versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition — a 24% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 7235HS. The Ryzen 5 7235HS uses the Rembrandt-R (2023−2025) architecture (6 nm), while the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 7235HS scores 12,379 against the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition's 12,460 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 7235HS vs 15 MB on the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 7235HS | Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 6 / 12+50% |
| Boost Clock | 4.2 GHz+27% | 3.3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.2 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total) | 15 MB+88% |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB (per core) | 1,536 kB+200% |
| Process | 6 nm-81% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Rembrandt-R (2023−2025) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 12,379 | 12,460 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 800 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Ryzen 5 7235HS) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition). Primary use case: Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition targets HEDT Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition rivals FX-8350.
| Feature | Ryzen 5 7235HS | Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | No |
| IGPU Model | — | None |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | — | HEDT Desktop |
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