AMD Phenom II X4 P960 vs Intel Core i7-2960XM

VS
Performance
Phenom II X4 P960
1,5424% of 36,991
Core i7-2960XM425% better
8,09822% of 36,991

The Core i7-2960XM has 425% better performance than the Phenom II X4 P960 for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

Performance per dollar
Phenom II X4 P960
No data available
Core i7-2960XM
7.396% of 121.53

The Core i7-2960XM has 6% of the performance per dollar compared to the leader for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark: Intel Core i5-13400F.

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Summary

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About the AMD Phenom II X4 P960 CPU

The AMD Phenom II X4 P960 is a 4-core (4-thread) processor built for the mobile CPU market. The X4 P960 is compatible with S1 motherboards and is fabricated on a 45 nm manufacturing process.

Memory and Cache

In terms of cache, the Phenom II X4 P960 has multiple levels of cache. Its L1 cache, which is the smallest and fastest, is 512 KB in size, providing rapid access to crucial instructions. Its L2 cache, at 2 MB, is larger but slower than the L1.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Phenom II X4 P960 features 4 total cores which can process 4 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The base clock speed of the CPU is 1800.0 MHz. Higher clock speeds result in higher performance for the same microarchitecture.

Integrated Graphics

The Phenom II X4 P960 does not include an integrated graphics solution. A dedicated graphics card will be required if you require a monitor with your computer.

Benchmark Performance

The Phenom II X4 P960 has the 661st best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 721 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 4.17% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D.

About the Intel Core i7-2960XM CPU

The Intel Core i7-2960XM is an end-of-life 4-core (8-thread) processor built for the mobile CPU market. It launched in Q3 2011 with a suggested retail price of $1,096. It is part of Intel's Core i7 Extreme lineup, which is based on the Sandy Bridge microarchitecture. The i7-2960XM is compatible with Intel Socket G2 (988B) motherboards and is fabricated on Intel's 32 nm manufacturing process. It features the Intel HD 3000 integrated graphics solution.

Memory and Cache

The Core i7-2960XM supports DDR3 memory and features a dual-channel memory controller, allowing it to utilize 2 memory modules simultaneously. In terms of cache, the Core i7-2960XM has multiple levels of cache. Its L1 cache, which is the smallest and fastest, is 64 KB in size, providing rapid access to crucial instructions. Its L2 cache, at 256 KB, is larger but slower than the L1. Its L3 cache, a shared resource among the CPU's cores, has a capacity of 8 MB.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Core i7-2960XM features 4 total cores which can process 8 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The base clock speed of the CPU is 2.7 GHz, and it can boost up to 3.7 GHz under heavy workloads. Higher clock speeds result in better performance for the same microarchitecture. The multiplier is unlocked, enabling overclocking for those seeking to push the CPU's performance further.

Integrated Graphics

The Core i7-2960XM includes an integrated graphics solution called Intel HD 3000. This graphics processor is directly integrated into the CPU and is not as powerful as a dedicated graphics card. While integrated graphics can handle basic tasks like web browsing and office applications, it is not suitable for more demanding activities such as gaming or video editing, where a dedicated graphics card offers superior performance.

Benchmark Performance & Value

The Core i7-2960XM has the 306th best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 721 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 21.89% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 8,098 score and $1,096 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 7.39. This is the 208th best in value for the 3DMark 11 Perf. Physics benchmark.

General Info

General overview of the CPU, including details like its manufacturer, release date, launch price, and current production status.

InfoPhenom II X4 P960Core i7-2960XM
ManufacturerAMDIntel
Series--Core i7 Extreme
Market SegmentMobileMobile
Release Date--Q3 2011
Launch Price (MSRP)--$1,096
Production Status--End-of-life
ShopCheck PriceCheck Price

Benchmark Performance

#
Performance
Phenom II X4 P960
1,5424% of 36,991
Core i7-2960XM425% better
8,09822% of 36,991

The Core i7-2960XM has 425% better performance than the Phenom II X4 P960 for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Phenom II X4 P960 is ranked 661st with a score of 1,542, and the Core i7-2960XM is ranked 306th with a score of 8,098.

Performance per dollar
Phenom II X4 P960
No data available
Core i7-2960XM
7.396% of 121.53

The Core i7-2960XM has 14% of the performance per dollar compared to the leader for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark: AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D.

Core i7-2960XM's 7.39 performance per dollar ranks it 0th among the other benchmarked CPUs in our database.

Relative Performance

The average score in the benchmark test can be compared to similar CPUs to assess relative performance. Generally, powerful CPUs tend to have higher scores.

Choose Baseline CPU:Phenom II X4 P960 or
CPUBenchmark Performance
Core i5-8259U8,528.5+453%
Core i7-4900MQ8,490+451%
Core i7-2960XM8,098+425%
Core i7-4810MQ8,012+420%
Core i7-4710MQ7,979+417%
Celeron N29201,582+3%
A6-92251,568+2%
Phenom II X4 P9601,542
Celeron 1017U1,532-1%
A4-5150M1,531-1%

Relative Value For Money

The average performance per dollar in the benchmark test can be compared to similar CPUs to assess relative value. A higher score implies a better value for your money.

Choose Baseline CPU:Phenom II X4 P960 orCore i7-2960XM
CPUPerformance Per Dollar
Core i7-5650U8.92+21%
Core i7-4940MX8.58+16%
Core i7-840QM8.25+12%
Core i7-5550U8.15+10%
Core i7-4930MX7.96+8%
Core i7-2960XM7.39
Core i7-820QM7.33-1%
Core i7-2920XM7.22-2%
Core m7-6Y756.82-8%

Benchmark Scores

This table showcases the average performance scores achieved by both CPUs across industry-standard benchmark tests. These scores provide a valuable insight into overall performance. Powerful CPUs tend to have higher scores.

  • Popular
BenchmarkPhenom II X4 P960Core i7-2960XM
3DMark 11 Performance Physics
1,542
8,098
(+425.16%)
Geekbench 6.2 Multi-Core
--
1,963
Geekbench 6.2 Single-Core
--
603
CPU Mark Multi-Thread
1,386
4,754
(+243%)
CPU Mark Single-Thread
737
1,598
(+116.82%)
Benchmarks Source: Notebookcheck

Technical Specs

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Manufacturing Details

Information about the CPU's manufacturing like its foundry, process size, and transistor count.

SpecPhenom II X4 P960Core i7-2960XM
ManufacturerAMDIntel
Foundry--Intel
Process Size45 nm32 nm
Transistors--1,160 million

Architecture

CPU architecture specs like its memory channels, memory support, and microarchitecture. Newer CPU architectures can minimize bottlenecks and improve execution efficiency using more advanced techniques.

SpecPhenom II X4 P960Core i7-2960XM
Series--Core i7 Extreme
Microarchitecture--Sandy Bridge
Codename--Sandy Bridge
Memory Support--DDR3
Memory Channels--Dual-channel
ECC Memory--No

Cores & Clock Speeds

Processing power information like its cores and clock speed. These specs impact how fast they can handle instructions and tasks. These have a strong impact on the CPU's performance.

SpecPhenom II X4 P960Core i7-2960XM
Cores44
Threads48
Clock Speed1800.0 MHz2.7 GHz
Turbo Clock--3.7 GHz
Base Clock--100 MHz
Multiplier--27.0x
Multiplier Unlocked--Yes

Cache

CPU cache specs like its L1 & L2 cache. These provide the CPU with a small, but super-fast memory access. A larger cache can improve a CPU's performance.

SpecPhenom II X4 P960Core i7-2960XM
L1 Cache512 KB64 KB
L2 Cache2 MB256 KB
L3 Cache--8 MB

Compatibility & Power Consumption

Compatibility and power consumption information like its socket type, thermal design power, power limits. These can help verify the CPU's compatibility with other PC components.

SpecPhenom II X4 P960Core i7-2960XM
SocketS1Intel Socket G2 (988B)
PCI Express--PCIe 2.0 x16
Thermal Design Power (TDP)25 W55 W
TJ Max--100 °C

Graphics, Features, & Extensions

Additional CPU features like its bundled coolers, integrated graphics, and extensions/technologies.

SpecPhenom II X4 P960Core i7-2960XM
Integrated Graphics--Intel HD 3000
Extensions / Technologies--MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.2, AVX, EIST, Intel 64, XD bit, TXT, VT-x, VT-d, HTT, AES-NI

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* Performance rating, performance per dollar, and rankings are based on the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark and MSRP.