Intel Core i7-4960X Extreme Edition vs Intel Core i7-3820: comparison

Comparison of Intel Core i7-4960X Extreme Edition and Intel Core i7-3820: key differences and a full specification table.

Key differences

Intel Core i7-4960X Extreme Edition has more cores (6 vs 4), more threads (12 vs 8), a higher maximum clock (4 GHz vs 3.8 GHz) and a larger L3 cache (15 MB vs 10 MB).

At the same time, Intel Core i7-3820 has a higher maximum memory size (64.23 GB vs 64 GB).

Both processors match on: base clock (3.6 GHz), TDP (130 W), memory channels (4).

These are specification values: they show differences between the models but do not determine a performance winner. For a specific workload, rely on independent benchmarks.

Key specifications

ParameterIntel Core i7-4960X Extreme EditionIntel Core i7-3820
Cores / threads 6 / 12 4 / 8
Max boost clock 4 GHz 3.8 GHz
L3 cache 15 MB 10 MB
TDP 130 W 130 W
Process 22 nm 32 nm

Full specification table

Differing values are highlighted. This is not a better/worse rating: numbers from different architectures are not always comparable.

Parameter Intel Core i7-4960X Extreme Edition Intel Core i7-3820
General
Model i7-4960X i7-3820
Codename Ivy Bridge E Sandy Bridge E
Segment Desktop Desktop
Product line Процессоры Intel Core серии X Процессоры Intel Core серии X
Process 22 nm 32 nm
Launch date Q3 2013 Q1 2012
Status Discontinued Discontinued
Servicing status End of Servicing Lifetime End of Servicing Updates
End of servicing updates 06/30/2020 12/31/2019
Embedded options available No No
Box contents Please note: The boxed product does not include a fan or heat sink —
CPU
Cores 6 4
Threads 12 8
Multithreading (SMT/HT) Yes Yes
Base clock 3.6 GHz 3.6 GHz
Max boost clock 4 GHz 3.8 GHz
Turbo Boost 2.0 frequency 4 GHz 3.8 GHz
L3 cache 15 MB 10 MB
Bus speed 5 GT/s 5 GT/s
TDP 130 W 130 W
Turbo Boost Yes (2) Yes (2)
64-bit support Yes Yes
Instruction set width 64 bit 64 bit
Instruction set extensions SSE4.2, AVX SSE4.2, AVX
Memory
Max memory size 64 GB 64.23 GB
Memory types DDR3 DDR3
Memory channels 4 4
Max memory bandwidth 59.7 GB/s 51.2 GB/s
ECC memory supported No No
I/O and interfaces
PCI Express revision 3 2
PCI Express lanes 40 40
Package and thermal
Sockets supported FCLGA2011 FCLGA2011
Max CPU configuration 1 1
Package size 52.5mm x 45.0mm 52.5mm x 45.0mm
TCASE 66.8 °C 66.8 °C
Security and virtualization
Virtualization (VT-x / AMD-V) Yes Yes
Virtualization for Directed I/O (VT-d) Yes Yes
Extended Page Tables (EPT) Yes Yes
AES-NI Yes Yes
Execute Disable Bit Yes Yes
Intel Trusted Execution Technology No No
Technologies
Enhanced SpeedStep Yes Yes
Idle States Yes Yes
Thermal Monitoring Technologies Yes Yes
Identity Protection Technology Yes Yes
Smart Response Technology Yes Yes

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