Intel Core i9-7960X

Tech Specs Tech Specs

Performance Performance

Reviews Reviews

Compare Compare

Intel Core i9-7960X
Finally, I said that unless Intel is willing to move on pricing I couldn't see why anyone would invest in the X299 platform. That was my honest opinion and it's just as true with the arrival of these 16-core and 18-core parts from Intel. Unless I simply had the money to burn, I struggle to imagine a scenario where I would spend $1,000 (100%) more on the Core i9-7980XE to gain at best 20% more performance.
- As reviewed by TechSpot on Sep 2017
16
Cores
32
Threads
2.8 GHz
Base Clock
4.2 GHz
Boost Clock
Socket LGA 2066
Socket
165 W
TDP
No iGPU
Graphics
$1,785
Price
Release date:Sep 25, 2017Price at Launch:$1,699
Cores:16Threads:32
Base Clock:2.8 GHzBoost Clock:4.2 GHz
Type:DesktopMultithreading:Yes
L2 Cache:16 MBL3 Cache:22 MB
Box Cooler:NoTDP:165 W
Socket:Socket LGA 2066Memory Support:DDR4-2666
Codename:SkylakeProcess Size:14nm
Integrated Graphics:NoNPU:No
PCIe Support:PCIe 3.0, 44 Lanes

Performance Benchmarks

All benchmark data reflects aggregated results from dozens of tests conducted in TechSpot’s labs and compiled from our full library of CPU reviews. Single-core productivity scores are based primarily on Cinebench and Adobe Photoshop workloads. Multi-core results draw from Cinebench, Blender, Corona Benchmark, 7-Zip, Adobe Premiere Pro, and shader compilation tests. CPU gaming benchmarks are all 1080p runs (explainer) as published on TechSpot.

Single-Core Productivity

Multi-Core Productivity

Gaming Performance

Reviews and Ratings

84

Average Score

Based on 10 reviews

Reviewers Liked

  • Multi-threaded performance
  • Huge overclocking boost
  • High core count
  • Modern complement of I/O

Reviewers Didn't Like

  • No ECC memory support
  • Poor thermal dissipation
  • Very expensive
  • High clock speeds and quiet systems out of the question without custom liquid cooling or delidding
80

Finally, I said that unless Intel is willing to move on pricing I couldn't see why anyone would invest in the X299 platform. That was my honest opinion and it's just as true with the arrival of these 16-core and 18-core parts from Intel. Unless I simply had the money to burn, I struggle to imagine a scenario where I would spend $1,000 (100%) more on the Core i9-7980XE to gain at best 20% more performance.

By TechSpot on
80

As usual we have quite a bit of data to sort through. Of course, it's not just about delivering the best performance and instead most people are interested in bang for their buck.First up we have Blender, this is a lower is better scenario which is why...

By TechSpot on
80

we know for a fact that the best consumer processor money can buy right now is Intel's Core i9-7980XE. Its 18 cores of brutality lay waste to most, if not all, multithreaded tasks you can throw its way. And single-core? Well, it's enough to make most of...

By TopNewReview on
91

The 7980XE and 7960X are super expensive, and Intel has made them that way for a reason; they are niche products that offer more all-around performance than what is out there on the market. The best analogy I can think of is one where a 7700K is like a BMW M5 or a Tesla Model-S, Threadripper 1950X would be the Mercedes McLaren SLR, and the Skylake-X 7980XE is like the Bugatti Chiron.

By TweakTown on
80

Stepping back for a moment, as long-time PC enthusiasts, we are psyched by how the desktop CPU market has exploded with excitement over the last few months. Between Ryzen, Threadripper, the Core X series, the impending Intel 8th Gen Core processors, and their associated platforms, there has never been a better time to be a computing enthusiast. The systems DIY enthusiasts are able to build today are on another level in comparison to what was available not too long ago. If you’re teetering on the idea of a desktop upgrade, just do it – you won’t be sorry.

By HotHardware on
80

That Intel finds itself in a place where its flagship processors just barely scrape past the competition is an astonishing turn of events. It might well continue to offer the best gaming performance in the mainstream, where gaming continues to be the key driver for upgrades, but in the HEDT market it's hard to see why anyone should pick up an Intel system over an AMD one.

By Ars Technica on
95

Now that both AMD and Intel have shown their hand, we get to see which system will ultimately come out on top. From a cost concern, neither AMD's Threadripper platform or Intel's Basin Falls platform is going to hit your wallet pretty hard. But if you are a content creator or you just have to have the best money can buy, the choice is yours.

By OverclockersClub on
70

The i9-7960X is extremely potent, but the price and power are tough pills to...

By PC Gamer on
80

Intel Core i9-7980XE And Core i9-7960X Processors -- Find Them At AmazonWe can't wrap up this article without referencing AMD's impressive Threadripper processors. Whether it's publicly acknowledged or not, the stealthy nature of Threadripper's...

By HotHardware on

We recently updated our Linux testing suite a wee bit, making minor changes, but at the expense of dropping all single-threaded benchmarks – by accident. We hadn't thought much about every single set of results being hugely optimized for core counts,...

By Techgage on

The Intel i7-9700K received ample criticism at unveil for being the first “gaming,” S-class i7 in recent history to drop hyperthreading. The move was accompanied by an increase in physical core count to 8C, but followed the previous move from 4C/8T to...

By GamersNexus on

By name and by marketing, the i5 CPU is most comparable to the R5 CPUs. The R5 2600's current $160 price-point makes it a less direct comparison, and the 2600X, which would perform about where an overclocked 2600 performs, is about $220. This is also...

By GamersNexus on
Load More Reviews…

Our readers are also looking into these CPUs...