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

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

	IntelCore i7-3960X Extreme Edition	IntelCore i9-14900KS
Overview
Released
Released	November 2011	March 2024
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	6.2 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.	Raptor Lake; 8 Performance-cores with Hyper-Threading and 16 Efficient-cores
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 and turbo 5.7 GHz; E-core base 2.4 GHz and turbo 4.5 GHz; Turbo Boost Max 3.0 5.9 GHz; Thermal Velocity Boost up to 6.2 GHz
Cache
Cache	15 MB shared L3 cache.	32 MB L2 cache
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; 300 MHz base and 1.65 GHz maximum dynamic clock
Platform
Socket
Socket	LGA2011	LGA1700
Base power
Base power	130 W	150 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 192 GB; two channels; DDR5-5600 or DDR4-3200; ECC support depends on the motherboard and configuration
PCIe
PCIe	40 PCIe 2.0 lanes in Intel’s current exact specification page.	20 CPU lanes; PCIe 5.0 and 4.0
Chipsets
Chipsets	–	Intel recommends Z790 or Z690 with the latest BIOS
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.	Maximum operating temperature 100 °C; maker maximum turbo power 253 W. The 320 W Extreme profiles used in launch reviews are separate operating configurations.