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Intel Core i7-2960XM vs Intel Core i7-5600U

Intel
VS
Intel
Performance
Core i7-2960XM114% better
8,09822% of 36,991
Core i7-5600U
3,79210% of 36,991

The Core i7-2960XM has 114% better performance than the Core i7-5600U for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

Performance per dollar
Core i7-2960XM
7.396% of 121.53
Core i7-5600U31% better
9.658% of 121.53

The Core i7-5600U has 31% better value for the money than the Core i7-2960XM for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

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Summary

#

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 305th best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 720 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 207th best in value for the 3DMark 11 Perf. Physics benchmark.

About the Intel Core i7-5600U CPU

The Intel Core i7-5600U is an end-of-life 2-core (4-thread) processor built for the mobile CPU market. It launched in Q1 2015 with a suggested retail price of $393. It is part of Intel's Core i7 lineup, which is based on the Broadwell-U microarchitecture. The i7-5600U is compatible with Intel BGA 1168 motherboards and is fabricated on Intel's 14 nm manufacturing process. It features the Intel HD 5500 integrated graphics solution.

Memory and Cache

The Core i7-5600U supports DDR3 memory and features a dual-channel memory controller, allowing it to utilize 2 memory modules simultaneously. In terms of cache, the Core i7-5600U 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 4 MB.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Core i7-5600U features 2 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 2.6 GHz, and it can boost up to 3.2 GHz under heavy workloads. Higher clock speeds result in better performance for the same microarchitecture. The multiplier is locked, making it incapable of overclocking for pushing performance further.

Integrated Graphics

The Core i7-5600U includes an integrated graphics solution called Intel HD 5500. 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 i7-5600U has the 467th best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 720 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 10.25% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 3,792 score and $393 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 9.65. This is the 196th 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.

InfoCore i7-2960XMCore i7-5600U
ManufacturerIntelIntel
SeriesCore i7 ExtremeCore i7
Market SegmentMobileMobile
Release DateQ3 2011Q1 2015
Launch Price (MSRP)$1,096$393
Production StatusEnd-of-lifeEnd-of-life
ShopCheck PriceCheck Price

Benchmark Performance

#
Performance
Core i7-2960XM114% better
8,09822% of 36,991
Core i7-5600U
3,79210% of 36,991

The Core i7-2960XM has 114% better performance than the Core i7-5600U for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Core i7-2960XM is ranked 305th with a score of 8,098, and the Core i7-5600U is ranked 467th with a score of 3,792.

Performance per dollar
Core i7-2960XM
7.396% of 121.53
Core i7-5600U31% better
9.658% of 121.53

The Core i7-5600U has 31% better value for the money than the Core i7-2960XM for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Core i7-2960XM is ranked 207th with a performance per dollar of 7.39, and the Core i7-5600U is ranked 196th with a performance per dollar of 9.65.

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:Core i7-2960XM or
CPUBenchmark Performance
Core i5-8259U8,528.5+5%
Core i7-4900MQ8,490+5%
Core i7-2960XM8,098
Core i7-4810MQ8,012-1%
Core i7-4710MQ7,979-1%
Core i5-5257U3,898-52%
Core i7-5650U3,800-53%
Core i7-5600U3,792-53%
Core i5-5250U3,586.5-56%
Core i5-5350U3,479-57%

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:Core i7-2960XM or
CPUPerformance Per Dollar
Core i3-5005U9.86+33%
Core i7-640M9.7+31%
Core i7-5600U9.65+31%
Core m3-6Y309.62+30%
Core m5-6Y579.54+29%
Core i7-5550U8.15+10%
Core i7-4930MX7.96+8%
Core i7-2960XM7.39
Core i7-820QM7.33-1%
Core i7-2920XM7.22-2%

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
BenchmarkCore i7-2960XMCore i7-5600U
3DMark 11 Performance Physics
8,098
(+113.55%)
3,792
Cinebench R15 Multi-Core
--
297
Cinebench R15 Single-Core
--
130
Geekbench 6.2 Multi-Core
1,963
(+13.27%)
1,733
Geekbench 6.2 Single-Core
603
916
(+51.91%)
CPU Mark Multi-Thread
4,754
(+56.59%)
3,036
CPU Mark Single-Thread
1,598
1,775
(+11.08%)
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.

SpecCore i7-2960XMCore i7-5600U
ManufacturerIntelIntel
FoundryIntelIntel
Process Size32 nm14 nm
Transistors1,160 million1,300 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.

SpecCore i7-2960XMCore i7-5600U
SeriesCore i7 ExtremeCore i7
MicroarchitectureSandy BridgeBroadwell-U
CodenameSandy BridgeBroadwell-U
Memory SupportDDR3DDR3
Memory ChannelsDual-channelDual-channel
ECC MemoryNoNo

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.

SpecCore i7-2960XMCore i7-5600U
Cores42
Threads84
Clock Speed2.7 GHz2.6 GHz
Turbo Clock3.7 GHz3.2 GHz
Base Clock100 MHz100 MHz
Multiplier27.0x26.0x
Multiplier UnlockedYesNo

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.

SpecCore i7-2960XMCore i7-5600U
L1 Cache64 KB64 KB
L2 Cache256 KB256 KB
L3 Cache8 MB4 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.

SpecCore i7-2960XMCore i7-5600U
SocketIntel Socket G2 (988B)Intel BGA 1168
PCI ExpressPCIe 2.0 x16PCIe 2.0 x12
Thermal Design Power (TDP)55 W15 W
Tcase Max--105 °C
TJ Max100 °C105 °C

Graphics, Features, & Extensions

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

SpecCore i7-2960XMCore i7-5600U
Integrated GraphicsIntel HD 3000Intel HD 5500
Extensions / TechnologiesMMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.2, AVX, EIST, Intel 64, XD bit, TXT, VT-x, VT-d, HTT, AES-NIMMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, EIST, 64-bit, XD bit, VT-d, VT-x, Smart Cache, ADX, RDSEED, PREFETCHW, HTT, Boost 2.0

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