Intel Core i7-5960X vs Intel Core i7-8700
20.5Single-core35.3
34.1Multi-core33.3
43.4Gaming37.9
9 spec wins — Intel Core i7-5960X10 spec wins — Intel Core i7-8700
InnoReviews verdict
Intel Core i7-8700 wins this desktop processor face-off, 35 to 32.3, pulling ahead mainly in Single-core (+15). Intel Core i7-5960X 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 i7-5960X
- Stronger gaming score: 43 vs 38
- 150% higher CPU PCIe lanes: 40 vs 16
- 100% higher Memory channels: 4 vs 2
- 67% higher L3 cache: 20 MB vs 12 MB
- 33% higher cores: 8 vs 6
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i7-8700
- Stronger Single-core score: 35 vs 21
- 54% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 140 W
- 46% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 1,500 vs 1,030
- 41% higher Cinebench R23 (single): 1,230 vs 870
- 36% lower process: 14 nm vs 22 nm
- Lower launch price: $303 vs $999
General
| Spec | Intel Core i7-5960X | Intel Core i7-8700 |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2014 | 2017 |
| Socket | LGA2011-v3 | LGA1151-v2 |
| Process | 22 nm | 14 nm+36% |
| Base TDP | 140 W | 65 W+54% |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | No |
| Cooler included | No | Yes |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Intel Core i7-5960X | Intel Core i7-8700 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 8+33% | 6 |
| Performance cores | 8+33% | 6 |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 16+33% | 12 |
| Base clock | 3 GHz | 3.2 GHz+7% |
| Boost clock | 3.5 GHz | 4.6 GHz+31% |
| L2 cache | 2 MB+33% | 2 MB |
| L3 cache | 20 MB+67% | 12 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Intel Core i7-5960X | Intel Core i7-8700 |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | — | Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
| iGPU clock | — | 1,200 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Intel Core i7-5960X | Intel Core i7-8700 |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR4-2133 | DDR4-2666 |
| Max memory | 64 GB | 64 GB |
| Memory channels | 4+100% | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | Intel Core i7-5960X | Intel Core i7-8700 |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 3 | 3 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 40+150% | 16 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Intel Core i7-5960X | Intel Core i7-8700 |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 1,030Top 96% | 1,500+46%Top 65% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 6,100Top 69% | 6,400+5%Top 65% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 870Top 97% | 1,230+41%Top 68% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 8,300Top 70% | 8,400+1%Top 68% |
| PassMark | 15,800+22%Top 60% | 13,000Top 71% |
Related comparisons
Intel Core i7-5960Xvs Intel Core i5-9600KVSIntel Core i7-5960Xvs Intel Core i5-10400VSIntel Core i7-5960Xvs AMD Ryzen 3 3100VSIntel Core i7-5960Xvs AMD Ryzen 5 2600VSIntel Core i7-8700vs AMD Ryzen 7 2700XVSIntel Core i7-8700vs Intel Core i5-10600KVSIntel Core i7-8700vs Intel Core i7-8700KVSIntel Core i7-8700vs Intel Core i5-11400VS