The Intel 5960X sports eight cores and sixteen threads. That's two more cores than we have ever seen on a consumer processor before and as such this $1,000 processor offers record breaking multi-threaded CPU horsepower. Unfortunately the 5960X is clocked at just 3 GHz base and 3.5 GHz turbo which, for single and dual-core workloads, renders it around 15% slower than a $69 G3258 on stock clocks! The 5960X is only compatible with Intel's new X99 chipset which requires new DDR4 RAM and is currently far more expensive, with little consumer benefit, than DDR3. All in all the i7-5960X processor is largely irrelevant for consumers as it's far far too expensive. [Sep '14CPUPro]
This was the ultimate niche CPU. At the time of its release, it had an optimal combination of multi-core performance without sacrificing as much single- and quad- as the higher-core CPUs, at an excellent price-point. It utilizes quad-channel RAM. If you were a content creator without external funding, had one machine in the budget, then this chip might even now in mid-2019 be what you're looking for.
The higher-end Threadrippers will throw more cores at you... for up to five times the price. If you've a home studio, running a DAW on the same PC you use for everything; or you do your own video editing; or you're an independent streamer; then those extra 12 or 18 cores aren't really going to help you that much anyway, for all that extra cash - AND those CPUs have lower performance in more common applications (single- low-thread apps). Not worth it. Intel isn't even on the table, of course.
If you're reading this in the future: these benchmarks have multiple categories for a reason. Read and think. Find the best combination for what you intend to do with it - not some arbitrary "the best" overall. There is no such thing, because you won't be using your computer for Overall, now will you? [Aug '19spacefiddle]
We calculate effective speed which measures real world performance for typical users. Effective speed is adjusted by current prices to yield a value for money rating. Our calculated values are checked against thousands of individual user ratings. The customizable table below combines these factors to bring you the definitive list of top CPUs. [CPUPro]
Welcome to our PC speed test tool. UserBenchmark will test your PC and compare the results to other users with the same components. You can quickly size up your PC, identify hardware problems and explore the best value for money upgrades.