Core i9-7960X

Name: Intel Core i9-7960X
Brand: Intel
Rating: 3.6 (5 reviews)

16 cores · 32 threads · up to 4.4 GHz on FCLGA2066.

3.6 · 5 votes

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Cores

Threads

Boost

4.4 GHz

L3 cache

22 MB

TDP

165W

Socket

FCLGA2066

Performance breakdown

Gaming17

Productivity18

Single-core18

Multi-core67

Power efficiency14

Lab scores

Performance score17

Cores16

Threads32

Boost clock (GHz)4.4 GHz

Estimated gaming FPS

Paired with a high-end GPU. CPU impact is largest at 1080p.

1080p37 fps

1440p30 fps

4K20 fps

Full specifications

Processor & cores

Architecture: Skylake (server)
Process node: 14 nm
Socket: FCLGA2066
Release year: 2017
Total cores: 16
Threads: 32

Clocks & cache

Base clock: 2.8 GHz
Boost clock: 4.4 GHz
L1 cache: 1 KB
L2 cache: 16 MB
L3 cache: 22 MB

Memory & platform

Memory support: DDR4-2666
Max capacity: 128 GB
Channels: 4
Max bandwidth: 85.33 GB/s
Base power (TDP): 165W
Max temperature: 98°C
PCIe: PCIe 3.0
Launch price: $1699

Technologies

Instruction sets: SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, AVX-512
Extensions: AES-NI, AVX, VT-x, VT-d, Turbo Boost Max 3.0, TSX

Community Feedback

What Owners Say

Owners love the raw multi-core muscle for heavy workstation tasks. The main gripe is the massive heat output and high power draw, making it a furnace.

Pros

Heavy multi-tasking without slowing down
Stays cool under sustained full loads
Plows through video encoding jobs
Threadripper competitor that actually delivers

Cons

Aging platform with no upgrade path
Power hungry and runs hot
Poor value for modern workloads

Verdict

Our verdict on the Core i9-7960X

The Intel Core i9-7960X is a server-derived desktop chip for LGA2066 boards, offering many cores but running hot and requiring a pricey platform.

Get it if you need a ton of cores for heavy rendering or virtual machines on a budget. Skip it if you want single-core speed for gaming or a modern platform with better features.