Core i7-3960X and i7-2700K Desktop CPUs in Review

Intel's six core chip fares extremely well in our selection of synthetic processor benchmarks. With an averagely 21% higher performance, the selected tests could exploit the two additional cores well. The scores are on a par with the equally clocked Core i7-2700K in the single core benchmarks, such as Cinebench R10 or Super Pi.

The i7-3960X clearly stands out in a direct comparison with current notebook and desktop processors in Cinebench R11.5. The gap between the new Core i7-2700K and the mobile top model Core i7-2960XM is a lot lower in comparison. Please see our CPU benchmark chart for more benchmarks and comparisons with the latest processors.

Looking at the system tests, PCMark 7 and Vantage, the two additional cores hardly offer any benefits. The differences are within the limits of the measurement uncertainties and confirm the subjective impression that 4 cores still supply enough reserves for most present applications.

One main application field for the fastest processor model is, logically, high-end 3D gaming. The 3D Mark tests from Futuremark show a slight impact of the 6 core CPU. However, an impact of 2 – 7% is insignificant.

We want to check if Intel's top model can be fully exploited with three up to date games. It quickly becomes evident that the four cores of the Core i7-2700K are fully sufficient in Battlefield 3 and Shogun 2. No higher performance can be achieved with the two additional cores. Only the latest F1 2011 race game can benefit from these and extract a small performance gain in the test.

Intel's new top model bids a lot of power with six processor cores and a gigantic last level cache. This allows the CPU to score significantly in optimized software and fares very well compared to the Core i7-2700K quad core.

Nevertheless, we have to remember that most up to date programs and games don't need more than 4 cores. Therefore, the quad core i7-2700K is a much lower priced and energy efficient alternative for most power users. However, users who can fully exploit the 6 cores (rendering, scientific calculations, etc.) and don't have to look at the price can unhesitatingly buy the Core i7-3960X.

The Core i7-2700K is still recommendable for high-end gamers and the price-performance winners are still the inexpensive Core i5-2500K and 2400.