How do the scores compare?

Intel Core i3-8100 scores 24/100 overall; Intel Core i7-5960X scores 32.3/100. Intel Core i3-8100 wins 7 individual spec rows, Intel Core i7-5960X wins 11.

What are the main differences between the Intel Core i3-8100 and the Intel Core i7-5960X?

Intel Core i3-8100 advantages: Stronger single-core score: 26 vs 21; 54% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 140 W; 36% lower process: 14 nm vs 22 nm; 20% higher Base clock: 3.6 GHz vs 3 GHz; 17% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 1,200 vs 1,030; Lower launch price: $117 vs $999. Intel Core i7-5960X advantages: Stronger multi-core score: 34 vs 24; 300% higher threads: 16 vs 4; 233% higher L3 cache: 20 MB vs 6 MB; 159% higher PassMark: 15,800 vs 6,100; 150% higher CPU PCIe lanes: 40 vs 16.

Which is cheaper: Intel Core i3-8100 or Intel Core i7-5960X?

Intel Core i3-8100 launched cheaper at $117, versus $999 for the Intel Core i7-5960X.

Intel Core i3-8100 vs Intel Core i7-5960X

Intel

Intel Core i3-8100

$117

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i7-5960X

$999

26.3Single-core20.5

23.7Multi-core34.1

21.9Gamingspec-based43.4

7 spec wins — Intel Core i3-810011 spec wins — Intel Core i7-5960X

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i7-5960X wins this desktop processor face-off, 32.3 to 24, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+10). Intel Core i3-8100 still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.

Which would you pick?

Key differences

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i3-8100

Stronger single-core score: 26 vs 21
54% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 140 W
36% lower process: 14 nm vs 22 nm
20% higher Base clock: 3.6 GHz vs 3 GHz
17% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 1,200 vs 1,030
Lower launch price: $117 vs $999

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i7-5960X

Stronger multi-core score: 34 vs 24
300% higher threads: 16 vs 4
233% higher L3 cache: 20 MB vs 6 MB
159% higher PassMark: 15,800 vs 6,100
150% higher CPU PCIe lanes: 40 vs 16

General

General comparison: Intel Core i3-8100 versus Intel Core i7-5960X
Spec	Intel Core i3-8100	Intel Core i7-5960X
Announced	2017	2014
Socket	LGA1151-v2	LGA2011-v3
Process	14 nm+36%	22 nm
Base TDP	65 W+54%	140 W
Unlocked multiplier	No	Yes
Cooler included	Yes	No

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i3-8100 versus Intel Core i7-5960X
Spec	Intel Core i3-8100	Intel Core i7-5960X
Cores	4	8+100%
Performance cores	4	8+100%
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	4	16+300%
Base clock	3.6 GHz+20%	3 GHz
Boost clock	3.6 GHz+3%	3.5 GHz
L2 cache	1 MB	2 MB+100%
L3 cache	6 MB	20 MB+233%

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i3-8100 versus Intel Core i7-5960X
Spec	Intel Core i3-8100	Intel Core i7-5960X
iGPU	Intel UHD Graphics 630	—
iGPU clock	1,100 MHz	—

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i3-8100 versus Intel Core i7-5960X
Spec	Intel Core i3-8100	Intel Core i7-5960X
Memory support	DDR4-2400	DDR4-2133
Max memory	64 GB	64 GB
Memory channels	2	4+100%

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i3-8100 versus Intel Core i7-5960X
Spec	Intel Core i3-8100	Intel Core i7-5960X
PCIe version	3	3
CPU PCIe lanes	16	40+150%

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i3-8100 versus Intel Core i7-5960X
Spec	Intel Core i3-8100	Intel Core i7-5960X
Geekbench 6 (single)	1,200+17%Bottom 15%	1,030Bottom 5%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	3,350Bottom 9%	6,100+82%Bottom 28%
Cinebench R23 (single)	—	870Bottom 4%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	3,800Bottom 8%	8,300+118%Bottom 27%
PassMark	6,100Bottom 7%	15,800+159%Bottom 28%

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