Intel Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition vs Intel Core i9-10900X

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Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition compared with Core i9-10900X

	IntelCore i7-3960X Extreme Edition	IntelCore i9-10900X
Overview
Released
Released	November 2011	2019
Cores and clocks
Cores
Cores	6	10 (better)
Threads
Threads	12	20 (better)
Base clock
Base clock	3.3 GHz	3.7 GHz
Boost clock
Boost clock	3.9 GHz	4.7 GHz (better)
L3 cache
L3 cache	15 MB	19.25 MB (better)
Cores
Cores	Six cores and twelve threads with Hyper-Threading; fully unlocked multiplier confirmed by Intel’s exact product brief. Intel states that VT-d requires C2 stepping.	Cascade Lake-X; Hyper-Threading and an unlocked multiplier, confirmed by Intel’s exact-model family product brief.
Clocks
Clocks	3.30 GHz base and up to 3.90 GHz Turbo Boost 2.0. Intel gives Q4 2011; EE Times’ contemporary 14 November report quotes Intel confirming the exact model is available now. Newegg’s earlier listing date alone does not establish sale.	Turbo Boost Max 3.0 up to 4.70 GHz on the preferred cores; ordinary Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 4.50 GHz. Intel targeted November 2019 availability, but first actual sale was not established in the bounded source pass; conservative year precision is retained.
Cache
Cache	15 MB shared L3 cache.	19.25 MB Intel Smart Cache; Intel’s exact-model product-brief table identifies it as L3 cache.
Graphics and AI
Built-in graphics
Built-in graphics	No	No
Graphics
Graphics	Intel’s exact-model Extreme Edition chart lists no processor graphics.	No processor graphics, explicitly confirmed by Intel’s exact-model support table.
AI engine
AI engine	–	Intel Deep Learning Boost provides CPU inference instructions; this is not a separate NPU.
Platform
Socket
Socket	LGA2011	LGA2066
Base power
Base power	130 W	165 W
Unlocked
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
Cooler in the box
Cooler in the box	No	No
Memory support
Memory support	Up to 64 GB across four DDR3-1066/1333/1600 channels; maximum 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, without ECC.	Up to 256 GB; four channels of DDR4-2933; 94 GB/s maximum published bandwidth; no ECC.
PCIe
PCIe	40 PCIe 2.0 lanes in Intel’s current exact specification page.	48 CPU lanes; PCIe 3.0. The 72-lane family platform figure includes chipset lanes.
Chipsets
Chipsets	–	Intel X299; LGA2066.
Process
Process	32 nm; Sandy Bridge-E. Package 52.5 × 45.0 mm; Intel’s 66.8°C limit is TCASE, not junction temperature.	14 nm; Cascade Lake-X.
Cooler
Cooler	Intel explicitly says the boxed product has no fan or heatsink. Requires separate LGA2011-compatible cooling; the original product brief names X79.	Intel explicitly excludes a fan and heatsink from the boxed product. Intel’s support article confirms solder thermal interface material for this exact model; published junction limit 94°C.