Intel Core i7-5960X vs Intel Core i9-9900K
20.5Single-core40.4
34.1Multi-core41.2
43.4Gaming47.4
3 spec wins — Intel Core i7-5960X11 spec wins — Intel Core i9-9900K
InnoReviews verdict
Intel Core i9-9900K wins this desktop processor face-off, 42.5 to 32.3, pulling ahead mainly in Single-core (+20) and Multi-core (+7). 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
- 25% higher L3 cache: 20 MB vs 16 MB
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i9-9900K
- Stronger Single-core score: 40 vs 21
- Stronger Multi-core score: 41 vs 34
- Stronger gaming score: 47 vs 43
- 100% higher Max memory: 128 GB vs 64 GB
- 67% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 1,720 vs 1,030
- Lower launch price: $488 vs $999
General
| Spec | Intel Core i7-5960X | Intel Core i9-9900K |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2014 | 2018 |
| Socket | LGA2011-v3 | LGA1151-v2 |
| Process | 22 nm | 14 nm+36% |
| Base TDP | 140 W | 95 W+32% |
| Max turbo power | — | 119 W |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes |
| Cooler included | No | No |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Intel Core i7-5960X | Intel Core i9-9900K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 8 | 8 |
| Performance cores | 8 | 8 |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 16 | 16 |
| Base clock | 3 GHz | 3.6 GHz+20% |
| Boost clock | 3.5 GHz | 5 GHz+43% |
| L2 cache | 2 MB | 2 MB |
| L3 cache | 20 MB+25% | 16 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Intel Core i7-5960X | Intel Core i9-9900K |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | — | Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
| iGPU clock | — | 1,200 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Intel Core i7-5960X | Intel Core i9-9900K |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR4-2133 | DDR4-2666 |
| Max memory | 64 GB | 128 GB+100% |
| Memory channels | 4+100% | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | Intel Core i7-5960X | Intel Core i9-9900K |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 3 | 3 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 40+150% | 16 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Intel Core i7-5960X | Intel Core i9-9900K |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 1,030Top 96% | 1,720+67%Top 51% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 6,100Top 69% | 8,800+44%Top 46% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 870Top 97% | 1,280+47%Top 62% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 8,300Top 70% | 12,400+49%Top 45% |
| PassMark | 15,800Top 60% | 18,600+18%Top 53% |
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