Intel Core i3-10105T vs Intel Core i7-3960X Comparison

The Intel Core i3-10105T and Intel Core i7-3960X represent two very different eras of Intel desktop silicon. The i3-10105T is a 4-core, 8-thread Comet Lake part with a 35 W TDP, while the i7-3960X is a 6-core, 12-thread Sandy Bridge-E flagship with a 130 W TDP. Benchmark results show a clear split: the i7-3960X wins every Cinebench test by roughly 7%, while the i3-10105T dominates Geekbench, particularly in single-core performance where it leads by 92.5%.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records eight head-to-head comparisons between these two CPUs. The i7-3960X takes six of them, all from the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7 scores 722 against the i3's 670, a 7.2% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows a similar gap: 102 versus 94, a 7.8% lead. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i7 again wins multi-core with 3011 versus 2795 (7.2% ahead) and single-core with 425 versus 394 (7.3% ahead). Cinebench R23 repeats the pattern: multi-core 7170 versus 6656 (7.2% ahead) and single-core 1012 versus 939 (7.2% ahead). Across all six Cinebench tests, the i7-3960X maintains a consistent edge of 7.2% to 7.8%, reflecting its higher core count and thread count.

The i3-10105T counters with two decisive wins in Geekbench. In multi-core, it scores 3649 against the i7's 3193, a 14.3% lead. The single-core result is far more dramatic: 1265 versus 657, a 92.5% advantage. This single-core margin is the largest in the entire comparison and points to a fundamental architectural difference. The i3's Comet Lake design, despite having fewer cores, delivers nearly double the single-threaded performance of the Sandy Bridge-E chip. The i7's higher base clock (3.30 GHz versus 3.00 GHz) and identical boost clock (3.90 GHz) cannot compensate for the older microarchitecture.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-3960X has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core i3-10105T has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which CPU is faster in single-core performance?

A: The i3-10105T scores 1265 in Geekbench single-core versus 657 for the i7-3960X, a 92.5% lead. In Cinebench single-core tests, the i7 is ahead by 7.2% to 7.8%, but the Geekbench result shows a much larger architectural advantage for the i3.

Q: Does either CPU have integrated graphics?

A: The i3-10105T includes UHD Graphics 630. The i7-3960X has no integrated graphics.

Q: What are the TDP ratings?

A: The i3-10105T is rated at 35 W, while the i7-3960X is rated at 130 W.

Q: Which CPU is newer?

A: The i3-10105T was released on 2021-03-15, while the i7-3960X was released on 2011-11-13. The i3 is currently active, and the i7 is end-of-life.

Q: How much L3 cache does each have?

A: The i7-3960X has 15 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i3-10105T has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from different process nodes and microarchitectures. The i3-10105T uses Intel's 14 nm Comet Lake process, while the i7-3960X uses 32 nm Sandy Bridge. The i7-3960X has a larger die at 435 mm² and contains 2,270 million transistors, a reflection of its older, larger process. The i3-10105T has 4 cores and 8 threads; the i7-3960X has 6 cores and 12 threads. Cache hierarchies differ as well: the i3 has 6 MB of shared L3, while the i7 has 15 MB. Both have 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core.

Memory support is another major divergence. The i3-10105T supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The i7-3960X supports DDR3 with a quad-channel bus and a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. PCIe connectivity also differs: the i3 provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i7 provides Gen 3 with 40 lanes (CPU only). The i3 includes integrated UHD Graphics 630; the i7 has no integrated graphics. The i7 has an unlocked multiplier, while the i3 is locked. The i7 is end-of-life, and the i3 is active.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core i3-10105T | Intel Core i7-3960X |

|-------|----------------------|---------------------|

| Cores | 4 | 6 |

| Threads | 8 | 12 |

| Base clock | 3.00 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| Boost clock | 3.90 GHz | 3.90 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 130 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1200 | Intel Socket 2011 |

| Architecture | Comet Lake | Sandy Bridge |

| Process node | 14 nm | 32 nm |

| Transistors | Not specified | 2,270 million |

| Die size | Not specified | 435 mm² |

| L3 cache | 6 MB (shared) | 15 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR4 | DDR3 |

| Memory bus | Dual-channel | Quad-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | 42.7 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 40 lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | UHD Graphics 630 | None |

| Production status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release date | 2021-03-15 | 2011-11-13 |

| Launch MSRP | $134 | $990 |

| Multiplier unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part number | SRH3R | SR0H9SR0KF |

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data points to a clear workload split. The i7-3960X wins all six Cinebench tests, making it the better choice for multi-threaded rendering workloads that scale with core count. Its 6-core, 12-thread configuration and 15 MB of L3 cache give it a consistent 7.2% to 7.8% advantage over the i3 in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. The i3-10105T, on the other hand, wins both Geekbench tests, with a 14.3% lead in multi-core and a 92.5% lead in single-core. This indicates superior per-thread performance, likely due to the newer Comet Lake architecture.

The i3 also offers integrated graphics, a 35 W TDP, and an active production status. The i7 provides more cores, more L3 cache, quad-channel memory, and more PCIe lanes, but these features do not translate into wins outside the Cinebench suite. The i3's average benchmark score is 2058, slightly above the i7's 2037, and its percentile ranking is 46 versus 45. These aggregate numbers are close, but the head-to-head results show that the i7 dominates in Cinebench while the i3 dominates in Geekbench.

The Verdict

For users who prioritize single-threaded performance, integrated graphics, and power efficiency, the Intel Core i3-10105T is the clear choice. Its Geekbench single-core score is 92.5% higher than the i7-3960X, and it includes UHD Graphics 630. The i3 also has a much lower TDP (35 W versus 130 W) and is an active product. For multi-threaded Cinebench workloads, the i7-3960X holds a consistent 7% advantage across all six Cinebench tests, making it the better option for rendering tasks that use many threads. However, the i7 is end-of-life and has a 130 W TDP, while the i3 is active and rated at 35 W. The data does not support a single overall winner; the choice depends on the workload. If the task is single-threaded or requires integrated graphics, the i3-10105T is the superior part. If the task is heavily multi-threaded and Cinebench-like, the i7-3960X retains a measurable edge.