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Intel

Core i7-2960XM

▲ 5118 ▼

4 Cores, 8 Threads @2.7 GHz, Sandy Bridge.
Release date ≤ Q4 2013.

Average Bench: 64.6% (507th of 1442)

Based on 863 user benchmarks.  Device: BFEBFBFF000206A7 Model: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-2960XM CPU @ 2.70GHz
Poor: 36%Average: 64.6% Great: 77%
Gaming
Gaming 65%
Destroyer
Desktop
Desktop 69%
Battle cruiser
Workstation
Workstation 50%
Yacht

Popular builds with this CPU

Above average average bench

The Intel Core i7-2960XM averaged 35.3% lower than the peak scores attained by the group leaders. This isn't a great result which indicates that there are much faster alternatives on the comparison list.

Strengths

Avg. Memory Latency 81.7Pts
Avg. Single Core Speed 82.3Pts

Average consistency

The range of scores (95th - 5th percentile) for the Intel Core i7-2960XM is 41.4%. This is a relatively wide range which indicates that the Intel Core i7-2960XM performs inconsistently under varying real world conditions.

Weaknesses

Avg. Multi Core Speed 371Pts
Avg. Octa Core Speed 368Pts
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Average Bench

(Based on 863 samples)
Rank 50764.6%
Min Avg Max
57.5 Memory 81.7 91.4
20.6 1-Core 82.3 105
38.8 2-Core 156 205
63.6% 107 Pts
Min Avg Max
65.8 4-Core 262 355
98.7 8-Core 368 496
39.6% 315 Pts
Min Avg Max
99.9 64-Core 371 498
23% 371 Pts
User Benchmarks BenchNormalHeavyServer
The fastest CPU (mainstream) averages a speed of 100%
CPU 1, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 8 threads
Base clock 2.7 GHz, turbo 3.4 GHz (avg)
72.5% Very good
Memory 90.4
1-Core 89.4
2-Core 178
70% 119 Pts
4-Core 302
8-Core 398
44% 350 Pts
64-Core 419
26% 419 Pts
Onboard, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 8 threads
Base clock 2.7 GHz, turbo 3.25 GHz (avg)
72.1% Very good
Memory 84.5
1-Core 88.6
2-Core 178
68% 117 Pts
4-Core 334
8-Core 408
48% 371 Pts
64-Core 406
25% 406 Pts
CPU 1, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 8 threads
Base clock 2.7 GHz, turbo 3.4 GHz (avg)
71.6% Very good
Memory 92.2
1-Core 89
2-Core 172
70% 118 Pts
4-Core 278
8-Core 393
42% 336 Pts
64-Core 416
26% 416 Pts
CPU 1, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 8 threads
Base clock 2.7 GHz, turbo 3.4 GHz (avg)
67.3% Good
Memory 83
1-Core 89
2-Core 177
68% 116 Pts
4-Core 280
8-Core 398
42% 339 Pts
64-Core 414
26% 414 Pts
CPU 1, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 8 threads
Base clock 2.7 GHz, turbo 3.35 GHz (avg)
66.7% Good
Memory 80.5
1-Core 88.5
2-Core 175
67% 115 Pts
4-Core 291
8-Core 390
43% 340 Pts
64-Core 375
23% 375 Pts
CPU1, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 8 threads
Base clock 2.7 GHz, turbo 2.7 GHz (avg)
57.9% Above average
Memory 75.9
1-Core 76.2
2-Core 138
58% 96.8 Pts
4-Core 218
8-Core 308
33% 263 Pts
64-Core 309
19% 309 Pts
CPU 1, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 8 threads
Base clock 2.7 GHz, turbo 1.8 GHz (avg)
54.4% Above average
Memory 74.5
1-Core 20
2-Core 70.5
37% 55 Pts
4-Core 194
8-Core 234
28% 214 Pts
64-Core 209
13% 209 Pts
863 MORE »

 Market Share (See Leaders)

The number of benchmark samples for this model as a percentage of all 67,751,380 CPUs tested

Custom PC Builder (Start a new build) Build your perfect PC: compare component prices, popularity, speed and value for money

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CPU GPU SSD HDD RAM MBD
Typical Core i7-2960XM Builds (Compare 538 builds) See popular component choices, score breakdowns and rankings
Gaming
Gaming 8%
Tree trunk
Desktop
Desktop 62%
Destroyer
Workstation
Workstation 7%
Tree trunk

System: Dell Precision M6600

CPU
Core i7-2960XMIntelBench 65%, 863 samples1x
GPU
Quadro 3000MNvidiaBench 6%, 2,560 samples237x
Quadro 4000MNvidiaBench 8%, 1,114 samples91x
HD 3000 (Mobile V2 1.3 GHz)IntelBench 2%, 110,588 samples88x
SSD
A400 240GBKingston  $28Bench 66%, 424,288 samples12x
850 Evo 500GBSamsung  $94Bench 112%, 695,664 samples11x
PM830 mSATA 256GBSamsungBench 63%, 9,379 samples8x
RAM
M471B5273DH0-CH9 2x4GBSamsungBench 43%, 15,815 samples15x
HMT351S6CFR8C-H9 4x4GBHynixBench 45%, 359 samples15x
HMT451S6MFR8C-PB HMT351S6BFR8C-H9 HMT451S6MFR8C-PB HMT351S6BFR8C-H9 16GBHynixBench 45%, 20 samples13x
EDIT WITH CUSTOM PC BUILDER Value: 21% - Poor Total price: $28

Popular Core i7-2960XM systems:

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How it works

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  • - CPU tests include: integer, floating and string
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  • - Drive tests include: read, write, sustained write and mixed IO
  • - RAM tests include: single/multi core bandwidth and latency
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  • - Reports are generated and presented on userbenchmark.com
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Processor Rankings (Price vs Performance) April 2024 CPU Rankings

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]

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Group Test Results

  • Best user rated - User sentiment trumps benchmarks for this comparison.
  • Best value for money - Value for money is based on real world performance.
  • Fastest real world speed - Real World Speed measures performance for typical consumers.

 Specifications

Essentials

DescriptionIntel® Core™ i7-2960XM Processor Extreme Edition (8M Cache, up to 3.70 GHz)
Code NameSandy Bridge
Launch DateQ4'11
Processor Numberi7-2960XM
# of Cores4
# of Threads8
Cache8 MB SmartCache
Instruction Set64-bit
Instruction Set ExtensionsAVX
Embedded Options AvailableNo
Lithography32 nm
Recommended PriceN/A
Clock Speed2.7 GHz
Max Turbo Frequency3.7 GHz
Bus Speed5 GT/s DMI
Max TDP55 W

Graphics

Processor GraphicsIntel® HD Graphics 3000
Graphics Base Frequency650 MHz
Graphics OutputeDP/DP/HDMI/SDVO/CRT
Wireless DisplayYes
# of Displays Supported2
Graphics Max Dynamic Frequency1.3 GHz
Quick Sync VideoYes
InTru 3D TechYes
Clear Video HD TechYes
Intel InsiderYes
Flexible Display InterfaceYes
Macrovision License RequiredNo

Memory

Max Memory Size32 GB
Memory TypesDDR3 1066/1333/1600
Memory Channels2
Memory Bandwidth25.6 GB/s
ECC Memory SupportedNo

Expansion Options

PCI Express Revision2.0
PCI Express Configurations1x16, 2x8, 1x8 2x4
Max # of PCI Express Lanes1

Data Protection

AES New InstructionsYes

Advanced Technologies

Virtualization Tech (VT-x)Yes
Intel 64Yes
Idle StatesYes
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® TechYes
Thermal Monitoring TechnologiesYes
Turbo Boost Tech2.0
Hyper-Threading TechYes
Virtualization for Directed I/O (VT-d)Yes
VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)Yes
Demand Based SwitchingNo
vPro TechYes
Identity Protection TechYes
Fast Memory AccessYes
Flex Memory AccessYes
My WiFi TechYes
4G WiMAX Wireless TechYes

Package

Package Size37.5mm x 37.5mm (rPGA998)
Graphics and IMC Lithography32 nm
Max CPU Configuration1
Sockets SupportedFCPGA988

Platform Protection

Execute Disable BitYes
Trusted Execution TechYes
Anti-Theft TechYes

 Comments

Added n/a ago.
USA-User
Avatar level
9,838

Excellent (edit your comment) Add link

4 years ago.

This CPU is well aged and still outperforms modern average processors

AUS-User
Avatar level
3,950

Excellent

2 years ago.

For the time it was made, awesome processor

Your
opinion?
▲Like ▼Dislike
Ready to retire
Age: 10 years

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 Frequently Asked Questions

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The Best.
CPUGPUSSD
Intel Core i5-13600K $273Nvidia RTX 4060 $300Crucial MX500 250GB $40
Intel Core i5-12400F $133Nvidia RTX 4060-Ti $385Samsung 850 Evo 120GB $80
Intel Core i5-12600K $177Nvidia RTX 4070 $539Samsung 860 Evo 250GB $52
HDDRAMUSB
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