Intel Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition vs Intel Core i9-14900K

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Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition compared with Core i9-14900K

	IntelCore i7-3960X Extreme Edition	IntelCore i9-14900K
Overview
Released
Released	November 2011	October 2023
Cores and clocks
Cores
Cores	6	24 (8 performance, 16 efficiency) (better)
Threads
Threads	12	32 (better)
Base clock
Base clock	3.3 GHz	3.2 GHz
Boost clock
Boost clock	3.9 GHz	6 GHz (better)
L3 cache
L3 cache	15 MB	36 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.	8 Performance-cores and 16 Efficient-cores, with Hyper-Threading; codename Raptor Lake
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.	P-core base 3.2 GHz, max turbo 5.6 GHz; E-core base 2.4 GHz, max turbo 4.4 GHz; Turbo Boost Max 3.0 5.8 GHz; Thermal Velocity Boost 6 GHz
Cache
Cache	15 MB shared L3 cache.	36 MB Intel Smart Cache (L3); 32 MB L2
Graphics and AI
Built-in graphics
Built-in graphics	No	Yes
Graphics
Graphics	Intel’s exact-model Extreme Edition chart lists no processor graphics.	Intel UHD Graphics 770, 32 execution units, up to 1.65 GHz; outputs eDP 1.4b, DP 1.4a, HDMI 2.1; up to 4 displays
Platform
Socket
Socket	LGA2011	LGA1700
Base power
Base power	130 W	125 W
Maximum power
Maximum power	–	253 W
Unlocked
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
Cooler in the box
Cooler in the box	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 DDR5 5600 MT/s or up to DDR4 3200 MT/s; 2 channels, up to 192 GB; ECC supported
PCIe
PCIe	40 PCIe 2.0 lanes in Intel’s current exact specification page.	PCIe 5.0 and 4.0; 20 lanes (Up to 1x16+4, 2x8+4); DMI 4.0 x8
Chipsets
Chipsets	–	Intel 600 and 700 series
Process
Process	32 nm; Sandy Bridge-E. Package 52.5 × 45.0 mm; Intel’s 66.8°C limit is TCASE, not junction temperature.	Intel 7
Cooler
Cooler	Intel explicitly says the boxed product has no fan or heatsink. Requires separate LGA2011-compatible cooling; the original product brief names X79.	max operating temperature 100 °C; thermal specification PCG 2020A