Intel Core i5-1145GRE vs Intel Core i7-3960X Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a narrow but consistent victory for the Intel Core i7-3960X across every Cinebench iteration tested. The older desktop part wins all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with margins ranging from 2.4% to 3.0%. This is a remarkable outcome given the nine-year gap between the two processors, and it underscores how much raw compute throughput the six-core, twelve-thread Sandy Bridge-E design still delivers.

The largest single advantage appears in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the i7-3960X scores 102 against 99 for the i5-1145GRE, a delta of 3.0%. That result is notable because single-threaded performance is typically the domain of newer architectures with higher IPC and more advanced process nodes. The i5-1145GRE does boost to 4.10 GHz, which is higher than the i7-3960X's 3.90 GHz boost clock, yet the older part still manages to edge ahead in this metric.

Multi-core results tell a similar story. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-3960X posts 722 versus 705, a 2.4% lead. The same 2.4% margin repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core (3011 vs 2940) and Cinebench R23 multi-core (7170 vs 7001). The consistency of this delta across different rendering workloads suggests a stable architectural advantage rather than a workload-specific anomaly. Single-core margins fluctuate slightly more, with 3.0% in R15, 2.7% in R20, and 2.4% in R23, but the direction never changes.

The i5-1145GRE, despite its newer Tiger Lake architecture, 10 nm process, and higher boost clock, cannot overcome the i7-3960X's core and thread advantage in multi-threaded tests. The i7-3960X has six cores and twelve threads, while the i5-1145GRE has four cores and eight threads. In rendering workloads that scale with thread count, this 50% core advantage and 50% thread advantage proves decisive, even though the newer part's per-core efficiency is competitive.

Looking at the broader database context, both processors sit at the 45th percentile among all CPUs. Their average benchmark scores are close: the i7-3960X averages 2037, while the i5-1145GRE averages 2025. The nearest rivals for the i7-3960X are the AMD Opteron 6386 SE at 2038 (0% delta), the Intel Core i7-7700T at 2039 (-0.1%), the AMD Ryzen 5 4500U at 2035 (0.1%), and the Intel Xeon E-2124G at 2034 (0.2%). For the i5-1145GRE, the nearest rivals are the Intel Core i5-1130G7 at 2026 (-0.1%), the Intel Xeon E3-1260L v5 at 2029 (-0.2%), the Intel Xeon E3-1280 v5 at 2029 (-0.2%), and the Intel Xeon E3-1240 v5 at 2030 (-0.3%). These clusters show both processors competing in the same performance tier, with the i7-3960X holding a slight edge in the head-to-head comparisons.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-3960X wins all three multi-core Cinebench tests. It scores 722 in R15 multi-core versus 705, 3011 in R20 multi-core versus 2940, and 7170 in R23 multi-core versus 7001, each a 2.4% advantage.

Q: Is the newer i5-1145GRE faster in single-core tests?

A: No. Despite its newer architecture and higher 4.10 GHz boost clock, the i5-1145GRE trails in all three single-core benchmarks. The i7-3960X leads by 3.0% in R15, 2.7% in R20, and 2.4% in R23.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i7-3960X has an average benchmark score of 2037, while the i5-1145GRE averages 2025. Both sit at the 45th percentile among all CPUs, placing them in a similar overall performance tier.

Q: What is the core and thread configuration of each processor?

A: The i7-3960X has six cores and twelve threads, while the i5-1145GRE has four cores and eight threads. This gives the i7-3960X a 50% advantage in both core count and thread count.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The i5-1145GRE supports ECC memory, while the i7-3960X does not. This makes the i5-1145GRE more suitable for error-sensitive workloads.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No. The i7-3960X is marked as end-of-life, while the i5-1145GRE is listed as active in production.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different eras of Intel design. The i7-3960X uses the Sandy Bridge architecture, specifically the Sandy Bridge-E variant, built on a 32 nm process node. Its die size is 435 mm² and it contains 2,270 million transistors. The i5-1145GRE uses the Tiger Lake architecture with Willow Cove cores, built on a 10 nm process node with a die size of 144 mm². The transistor count for the i5-1145GRE is not recorded in the database.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The i7-3960X has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 15 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5-1145GRE has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and only 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger L3 on the i7-3960X reflects its desktop extreme positioning, while the i5-1145GRE's larger per-core L2 is characteristic of newer architectures that rely more on mid-level cache.

Memory architecture also diverges sharply. The i7-3960X supports DDR3 memory over a quad-channel bus with a theoretical bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The i5-1145GRE supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X over a dual-channel bus, with no bandwidth figure recorded in the database. The quad-channel memory subsystem of the i7-3960X is a major differentiator, providing significantly more memory bandwidth for bandwidth-hungry workloads.

PCI Express capabilities also differ. The i7-3960X offers PCIe Gen 3 with 40 lanes from the CPU, while the i5-1145GRE offers PCIe Gen 4 with only 4 lanes from the CPU. The i7-3960X's massive lane count suits multi-GPU and expansion-heavy desktop builds, whereas the i5-1145GRE's lane count is typical for a mobile part.

The i5-1145GRE includes integrated graphics in the form of Iris Xe Graphics G7 with 80 execution units. The i7-3960X has no integrated graphics recorded, meaning it requires a discrete GPU for any display output. This is a critical difference for system builders, as the i5-1145GRE can operate in a compact, low-power system without a separate graphics card.

Specification Differences

The most obvious difference is core count: the i7-3960X has six cores and twelve threads, while the i5-1145GRE has four cores and eight threads. Base clock speeds differ dramatically, with the i7-3960X at 3.30 GHz and the i5-1145GRE at 1500.00 MHz, though the newer part boosts higher at 4.10 GHz versus 3.90 GHz. The TDP figures are also far apart: the i7-3960X draws 130 W, while the i5-1145GRE is rated at 28 W, reflecting the desktop versus mobile design philosophies.

Sockets are incompatible. The i7-3960X uses Intel Socket 2011, while the i5-1145GRE uses Intel BGA 1449, meaning the two cannot be swapped in the same motherboard. The i7-3960X is an unlocked multiplier part, while the i5-1145GRE is locked. The i7-3960X targets the desktop segment, while the i5-1145GRE targets mobile.

Memory support differs in type and channel count. The i7-3960X uses DDR3 over quad-channel, while the i5-1145GRE uses DDR4 and LPDDR4X over dual-channel. ECC support is present only on the i5-1145GRE. The process node differs as well: 32 nm for the i7-3960X versus 10 nm for the i5-1145GRE.

The i7-3960X has a recorded launch MSRP of $990, while the i5-1145GRE has a launch MSRP of $362. The i7-3960X is end-of-life, whereas the i5-1145GRE remains active. Release dates are far apart: November 2011 for the i7-3960X versus September 2020 for the i5-1145GRE.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-3960X wins every benchmark recorded in the head-to-head comparison, but its advantages are best understood in context. Its six-core, twelve-thread configuration and quad-channel DDR3 memory give it an edge in multi-threaded rendering workloads, as shown by consistent 2.4% leads in all three Cinebench multi-core tests. The 15 MB shared L3 cache and 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes make it suitable for desktop workloads that benefit from large cache pools and extensive expansion capability. The unlocked multiplier also allows overclocking, which can extend its performance lead further in the hands of an enthusiast.

The i5-1145GRE wins in areas not captured by the Cinebench benchmarks. Its 28 W TDP makes it dramatically more power-efficient, a critical factor for mobile and compact systems. The integrated Iris Xe Graphics G7 with 80 execution units eliminates the need for a discrete GPU. ECC memory support is valuable for data integrity in professional or server-adjacent workloads. PCIe Gen 4 support, even with fewer lanes, offers higher per-lane bandwidth for modern storage devices. The newer Tiger Lake architecture also brings architectural improvements that are not fully reflected in the older Cinebench test suite.

For workloads that are heavily multi-threaded and cache-sensitive, the i7-3960X is the stronger choice. For workloads that prioritize power efficiency, integrated graphics, ECC support, or modern platform features, the i5-1145GRE is more suitable despite its benchmark deficit.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous on raw compute performance: the Intel Core i7-3960X outperforms the Intel Core i5-1145GRE in every measured benchmark. The margins are modest, between 2.4% and 3.0%, but they are consistent across all six Cinebench tests. The i7-3960X's extra two cores and four threads provide a structural advantage that the i5-1145GRE's newer architecture cannot overcome in these workloads.

However, the choice between these two processors depends heavily on use case. The i7-3960X is a desktop extreme processor from 2011, now end-of-life, with a 130 W TDP, no integrated graphics, and no ECC support. It demands a discrete GPU and a high-end Socket 2011 motherboard. It is best suited for users who have an existing platform or who prioritize raw multi-threaded rendering performance and expansion capability.

The i5-1145GRE is an active mobile processor from 2020 with a 28 W TDP, integrated Iris Xe graphics, ECC memory support, and PCIe Gen 4. It is designed for compact, power-conscious systems where the i7-3960X's desktop footprint and power draw would be impractical. Its benchmark scores are close enough that in real-world use, the difference will be negligible for many applications, and its modern platform features may matter more than the slight Cinebench deficit.

Users who need maximum multi-threaded compute from the recorded benchmarks and can accommodate the power and platform requirements should pick the i7-3960X. Users who need an efficient, actively produced processor with integrated graphics and ECC support should pick the i5-1145GRE. The i7-3960X wins the performance comparison, but the i5-1145GRE wins the platform and efficiency comparison.