U300 vs Core i7-3960X

CPU

GPU

U300

5 Cores6 Thrd55 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2023

Core i7-3960X

6 Cores12 Thrd130 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2011

Performance Spectrum - CPU

U300

5 / 6

8,492

+1.1%

8,402

0.0%

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 U300 is positioned at rank 372 and the Core i7-3960X is on rank 1024, so the U300 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 U300

#360

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

518%

#361

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

511%

#362

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

469%

#363

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

467%

#364

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

462%

#366

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

447%

#367

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

428%

#368

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

427%

#369

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

416%

#372

U300

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#375

Pentium Dual Core T3200

MSRP: $64|Avg: $5

99%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3960X

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

37065%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

35023%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

25429%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

7661%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

6068%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

5308%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

3040%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

3001%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

2732%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

2732%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

2701%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

2629%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

2592%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

2581%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

2558%

#396

Ryzen Embedded R2314

MSRP: $300|Avg: $762

91%

#1024

Core i7-3960X

MSRP: $999|Avg: $60

100%

#1025

Celeron 2.70

MSRP: $49|Avg: $49

99%

#1027

A10 PRO-7850B

MSRP: $426|Avg: $140

96%

#1028

Core 2 Quad Q8200

MSRP: $224|Avg: $36

96%

#1029

A12-9800E

MSRP: $426|Avg: $150

95%

#1030

Phenom II X6 1065T

MSRP: $426|Avg: $170

95%

#1031

Celeron 440

MSRP: $59|Avg: $10

95%

#1032

A8-3820

MSRP: $280|Avg: $200

93%

#1033

Core i7-860S

MSRP: $299|Avg: $96

92%

#1035

PRO A10-8770E

MSRP: $395|Avg: $210

90%

#1036

Core 2 Duo E4700

MSRP: $133|Avg: $10

90%

#1037

Athlon 64 X2 5800+

MSRP: $230|Avg: $20

90%

#1038

Phenom II X2 B53

MSRP: $150|Avg: $15

90%

#1039

Core 2 Quad Q9300

MSRP: $266|Avg: $27

90%

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 U300 (2023) utilizes Intel 7 nm technology and DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200, LPDDR4x-4267, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	U300	Core i7-3960X
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($60)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Legacy / Intel 7 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-3960X (2011) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	U300	Core i7-3960X
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($60)

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.

U300 Benchmark Check

Core i7-3960X Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

No prediction data available

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

No prediction data available

Counter-Strike 2

No prediction data available

Valorant

No prediction data available

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of U300 and Core i7-3960X

U300

The U300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2023 (2 years ago). It features 5 cores and 6 threads. Max frequency: 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200, LPDDR4x-4267. Passmark benchmark score: 8,492 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i7-3960X

The Core i7-3960X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 November 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 8,402 points. Launch price was $861.

⚡

Processing Power

The U300 packs 5 cores / 6 threads, while the Core i7-3960X offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i7-3960X has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the U300 versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-3960X — a 12% clock advantage for the U300. The Core i7-3960X is built on the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture. In PassMark, the U300 scores 8,492 against the Core i7-3960X's 8,402 — a 1.1% lead for the U300. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the U300 vs 15 MB (total) on the Core i7-3960X.

Feature	U300	Core i7-3960X
Cores / Threads	5 / 6	6 / 12+20%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+13%	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	—	3.3 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB Intel® Smart Cache	15 MB (total)+88%
L2 Cache	—	256 kB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-78%	32 nm
Architecture	—	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)
PassMark	8,492+1%	8,402
Geekbench 6 Single	—	658
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	4,973

🧠

Memory & Platform

The U300 uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i7-3960X uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	U300	Core i7-3960X
Socket	FCBGA1744	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+100%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	64 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	40