Intel Core i7-5960X vs Intel Core i9-10900K
20.5Single-core41.9
34.1Multi-core48.2
43.4Gamingspec-based54.6
2 spec wins — Intel Core i7-5960X15 spec wins — Intel Core i9-10900K
InnoReviews verdict
Intel Core i9-10900K wins this desktop processor face-off, 47.9 to 32.3, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+21) and multi-core (+14). 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
- 150% higher CPU PCIe lanes: 40 vs 16
- 100% higher Memory channels: 4 vs 2
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i9-10900K
- Stronger single-core score: 42 vs 21
- Stronger multi-core score: 48 vs 34
- 100% higher Max memory: 128 GB vs 64 GB
- 96% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 16,300 vs 8,300
- 70% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 10,400 vs 6,100
- Lower launch price: $488 vs $999
General
| Spec | Intel Core i7-5960X | Intel Core i9-10900K |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2014 | 2020 |
| Socket | LGA2011-v3 | LGA1200 |
| Process | 22 nm | 14 nm+36% |
| Base TDP | 140 W | 125 W+11% |
| Max turbo power | — | 250 W |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes |
| Cooler included | No | No |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Intel Core i7-5960X | Intel Core i9-10900K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 8 | 10+25% |
| Performance cores | 8 | 10+25% |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 16 | 20+25% |
| Base clock | 3 GHz | 3.7 GHz+23% |
| Boost clock | 3.5 GHz | 5.3 GHz+51% |
| L2 cache | 2 MB | 3 MB+25% |
| L3 cache | 20 MB | 20 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Intel Core i7-5960X | Intel Core i9-10900K |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | — | Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
| iGPU clock | — | 1,200 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Intel Core i7-5960X | Intel Core i9-10900K |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR4-2133 | DDR4-2933 |
| Max memory | 64 GB | 128 GB+100% |
| Memory channels | 4+100% | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | Intel Core i7-5960X | Intel Core i9-10900K |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 3 | 3 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 40+150% | 16 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Intel Core i7-5960X | Intel Core i9-10900K |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 1,030Bottom 5% | 1,730+68%Bottom 42% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 6,100Bottom 28% | 10,400+70%Top 50% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 870Bottom 4% | 1,340+54%Bottom 38% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 8,300Bottom 27% | 16,300+96%Top 40% |
| PassMark | 15,800Bottom 28% | 23,700+50%Bottom 43% |
Related comparisons
Intel Core i7-5960Xvs Intel Core i5-10400FVSIntel Core i7-5960Xvs Intel Core i5-9600KVSIntel Core i7-5960Xvs Intel Core i5-10400VSIntel Core i7-5960Xvs AMD Ryzen 3 3100VSIntel Core i9-10900Kvs AMD Ryzen 5 5600VSIntel Core i9-10900Kvs Intel Core i5-12400VSIntel Core i9-10900Kvs Intel Core i5-12400FVSIntel Core i9-10900Kvs Intel Core i7-11700KVS