Intel Core i9-7960X vs Intel Core i9-9990XE

Processor comparisons 17-03-2021

   Let's say you can't decide which CPU to buy, you can make a choice after reading the detailed tests Intel Core i9-7960X vs Intel Core i9-9990XE and see which is better for games or normal use for machine learning, video editing, streaming, programming, rendering. Here is useful information from different benchmarks or real video editing and streaming tests. A step-by-step analysis of all the specifications, so that it can be easier to understand, is made by the table.
   From the video comparison, you can get the results of parallel examination in software tests like GeekBench 6, 5.2, 7zip, Blender, UserBenchmark, World of Tanks enCore Benchmark, Blender, PassMark, PCMark 10, Furmark, Cinebench 23 (20, 15), Gears 5, Handbrake, RealBench, 3DMark, SuperPi, MATLAB, DaVinci Resolve Studio, Dolphin Emulator, AIDA64, WPrime, VeraCrypt, Prime95.
   Gaming performance of processors in:

Rainbow Six Siege
Overwatch
Watch Dogs Legion
Valheim
Fallout 76
Grand Theft Auto V
Red Dead Redemption 2
World of Warcraft: Shadowlands
DOOM: Eternal
Halo Infinite
Fortnite
Cyberpunk 2077
Apex Legends
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Warzone
Assassin's Creed Valhalla
Last Man Standing
Death Stranding
Borderlands 3
Valorant

After reading the results these benchmarks and videos, you can already make an informed decision about which processor is better to buy for gaming Intel Core i9-9990XE or Intel Core i9-7960X.

Summary benchmark results

As a percentage of the maximum value based on a sample from the entire base of all processors
Processor Benchmark

Core i9-7960X

58%

Core i9-9990XE

59%

This value shows the performance of the processors in single-threaded and multi-threaded mode. In this comparison, Core i9-9990XE is 1% better than Core i9-7960X. The data source is several popular tests. Detailed information can be found below.

Gaming performance
Summary result of all game benchmarks.

Core i9-7960X

60%

Core i9-9990XE

59%

For the maximum in this test, the results of the most powerful processor in the site database are taken. And of course, this is a server processor, on which no one will play games. Because the cost of this processor reaches several tens of thousands of dollars. And if it seems to you that the selected CPU has a low game result, just look at the FPS that it produces in real games in the final table below.
List of less popular games in which CPU comparisons were performed: Hitman 3, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS GO), Monster Hunter World, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Half-Life: Alyx, Resident Evil 7 Biohazard, Microsoft Flight Simulator, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG), Metro Exodus, NBA 2K20, Forza Horizon 4, League of Legends (LOL), Battlefield V, Horizon Zero Dawn, Ghostrunner, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, DOTA 2A, Control.

Gaming benchmark

Fortnite	106.9	104.6
Valorant	121.4	118.9
Cyberpunk 2077	68.0	66.6
Apex Legends	114.2	111.7
Call of Duty Warzone	91.1	89.1
Overwatch	98.4	96.3
Red Dead Redemption 2	83.8	82.0
DOOM Eternal	60.7	59.4
Warzone	94.7	92.7
Assassin's Creed	102.0	99.8
Valheim	100.8	98.6

The numbers in this table indicate the maximum FPS that was received on the device with the corresponding processor. Depending on the configuration of the computer (RAM size and Video Card) and graphics quality settings (Ultra, Medium, Normal), the results may differ quite significantly. We recommend that you better study the results of the Cinebench, GeekBench and Passmark becnmarks.
The tested computers not only did they have different video cards and different amounts of RAM. But users also tested them at different screen resolutions: 4K, 2K or FullHD. Therefore, the game benchmark data is approximate. But all video cards met the average system requirements of games. You will get more accurate information about how powerful the processor will be in games, if you compare it in one assembly with the video card that is installed in your computer.

Power consumption

Core i9-7960X

22%

Core i9-9990XE

16%

To make a finishing resolution on which processor is better, you should also consider the generation of its core. The newer the processor generation, the better its performance in games and benchmarks, as well as its energy efficiency. In this case the Core i9-7960X is more energy efficient than the Core i9-9990XE as it consumes less power: 165W vs. 260W. Power consumption is particularly important for laptops. Also, when choosing a processor cooling system, it will be useful to know its TDP. You need to buy a cooler that has the TDP data specified in the specification was greater than the TDP of the compared processor.

Software benchmarks

For example you want to use the processor not only for gaming, but also for video rendering or video editing, machine learning, programming, streaming, then first of all you need to pay attention to the performance in multi-threaded mode. In this mode, to reach maximum efficiency, the processor uses all cores and threads that it has. You will learn this data from the benchmark tables below. Before using the data from these tests, be sure to make sure that the software that you are going to use on your computer can work in multi-threaded mode. Since there are still many programs that use only one core to work, and all the benefit of multi-core mode are unused.

Cinebench 23, 20 an 15
The results of this benchmark show Single-threaded and Multi-threaded CPU performance

	Intel Core i9-7960X	Intel Core i9-9990XE
Cinbench 15 Single-core	184	199
Cinbench 15 Multi-core	3161	3215
Cinbench 20 Single-core	611	455
Cinbench 20 Multi-core	5496	7457
Cinbench 23 Single-core	1103	1115
Cinbench 23 Multi-core	22189	22765

Passmark
This popular benchmark displays Multi-threaded and Single-threaded processor performance

	Intel Core i9-7960X	Intel Core i9-9990XE
Single-Core	2605	3072
Multi-Core	27039	31845

GeekBench 6, 5.2
This benchmark shows Multi-threaded and Single-threaded processor performance

	Intel Core i9-7960X	Intel Core i9-9990XE
Single-Core	1113	1308
Multi-Core	18501	16263

Comparison of specifications

In the specification comparison table, the processor release date and overclocking capability will be the most helpful. The later the processor is released, the longer it will last you. And the easier it will be to upgrade the system in the future. The same benefits from the presence of overclocking. If the processor can be overclocked, increasing its performance, then it will continue to maintain maximum FPS in new games. Accordingly, you do not need to buy a new CPU to enjoy the games any longer. The economy are obvious!

	Intel Core i9-7960X	Intel Core i9-9990XE
Announcement date	October 01, 2017	April 01, 2020
Type	Desktop	Desktop
Socket	FCLGA2066	LGA2066
Core name	Skylake	Skylake
Architecture	x86	x86
Generation	7	9
Turbo Frequency	4.2 MHz	5.2 MHz
Frequency	2.8 MHz	4.2 MHz
Cores	16	14
Threads	32	28
Bus rate	8 GT/s	8 GT/s
Bit	64	64
Lithography		14 nm
Transistors count	7800 millions	8600 millions
Power consumption (TDP)	165 W	260 W
Memory type	DDR4-2666	DDR4-2666
Max. Memory	128 Gb	128 Gb
Memory Frequency
Memory bandwidth	85 GB/s	85 GB/s
L1 cache
L2 cache
L3 cache	22 MB	32 MB
Overclocking	No	Yes
Supports ECC	No	No
Part number

In this comparison block, you should pay attention to the differences in clock speed and the number of cores. Here Core i9-9990XE is 33% better than Core i9-7960X in terms of CPU frequency. Another difference is that Core i9-7960X has 2 more core than Core i9-9990XE. Also keep in mind that high CPU frequency affects battery life through power consumption (relevant for laptops).

Result:
The number of parameters for which Intel Core i9-7960X is better: 17
The number of parameters for which Intel Core i9-9990XE is better: 15
Although it should be understood that the summary data in the article above do not mean that taking them into account you should undividedly trust a simple quantitative comparison. Better to watch the video tests and read the opinion of of people who bought Intel Core i9-7960X and Intel Core i9-9990XE before making a selection which CPU to buy for gaming and which not.

• Intel Core i9-7960X specs and review.

• Intel Core i9-9990XE specs and review.