Intel Core i7-3960X vs Intel Core i7-8705G Comparison

Intel Core i7-8705G vs Intel Core i7-3960X: A Cross-Generation Comparison

The database records show two very different Intel processors competing for attention: the mobile-oriented Core i7-8705G from the Kaby Lake G family, and the desktop-class Core i7-3960X from Sandy Bridge-E. The 8705G, a 4-core part with integrated graphics, was designed for compact laptops and was released in early 2018. The 3960X, a 6-core enthusiast chip with an unlocked multiplier, arrived in late 2011 as part of the Core i7 Extreme lineup. Their average benchmark scores sit remarkably close: the 8705G averages 2058 points across the recorded tests, while the 3960X averages 2037 points. That 1% gap hides a substantial split in workload behavior. The 3960X wins 6 of the 8 head-to-head tests, but the 8705G dominates the Geekbench suite with a 94.4% single-core advantage and a 24.3% multi-core advantage. This is not a straightforward generational upgrade; it is a trade-off between raw multi-threaded muscle and modern IPC improvements.

The Verdict

The data points to a simple conclusion: pick the Intel Core i7-8705G if you value modern single-thread performance and memory bandwidth efficiency, especially for everyday tasks and lightly threaded applications. Its Geekbench single-core score of 1277 versus the 3960X’s 657 is a decisive 94.4% gap, meaning the 8705G handles legacy and single-threaded software with far more agility. Its 38.4 GB/s memory bandwidth, while lower in absolute terms than the 3960X’s 51.2 GB/s, comes from a dual-channel DDR4 setup that is common in current systems, and its 4.10 GHz boost clock exceeds the 3960X’s 3.90 GHz.

Conversely, the Intel Core i7-3960X is the choice for multi-threaded rendering and content creation where core count matters. Its 6 cores and 12 threads, supported by a 15 MB shared L3 cache, deliver consistent wins in Cinebench tests. For example, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the 3960X scores 7170 against the 8705G’s 6464, a 9.8% advantage. In R20 multi-core, it leads 3011 to 2714, a 9.9% gap. The 3960X also wins single-core Cinebench tests despite its older architecture, with 102 points in R15 single-core versus 91 for the 8705G, and 425 in R20 single-core versus 383. That might surprise buyers, but the data is clear: for Cinebench workloads, the 3960X’s older but higher-clocked cores hold a slight edge.

The 8705G, by contrast, is the better all-around daily driver if you ignore raw multi-threaded compute. Its Geekbench multi-core score of 3968 is 24.3% higher than the 3960X’s 3193, and its single-core Geekbench score is nearly double. For most users, especially those running typical productivity apps, web browsing, or office tasks, the 8705G will feel faster. The 3960X only makes sense for those who constantly run heavily threaded software and do not mind the higher power draw or lack of integrated graphics.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and designs. The Intel Core i7-8705G is built on a 14 nm process node, while the 3960X uses a 32 nm node. That process gap explains a lot: the 8705G has a die size of 125 mm², while the 3960X is far larger at 435 mm², and the 3960X uses 2,270 million transistors. The 8705G’s smaller, denser design allows for higher clock speeds per watt, but the 3960X compensates with more cores and a larger cache.

The 8705G belongs to the Kaby Lake architecture, specifically the Kaby Lake G subfamily, and its generation is listed as Core i7 (Kaby Lake-G). It has 4 cores and 8 threads, a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost of 4.10 GHz. Its cache structure is 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. It uses a dual-channel memory bus with DDR4 support, and its PCIe connectivity is limited to 8 lanes of Gen 3. It includes Intel HD Graphics 630 as an integrated GPU, which is a significant feature for a mobile chip.

The 3960X is based on the Sandy Bridge architecture, specifically Sandy Bridge-E, and is listed as Core i7 Extreme (Sandy Bridge-E). It has 6 cores and 12 threads, a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost of 3.90 GHz. Its cache is 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 15 MB of shared L3. It supports DDR3 memory over a quad-channel bus, and its PCIe interface has 40 lanes of Gen 3. The 3960X has no integrated graphics, so a discrete GPU is mandatory. Its multiplier is unlocked, allowing overclocking, while the 8705G has a locked multiplier.

The process node difference is stark: 14 nm versus 32 nm, which is over two generations apart. That is why the 8705G can achieve a higher boost clock (4.10 GHz versus 3.90 GHz) while drawing 65 watts TDP, compared to the 3960X’s 130 watts TDP. The 8705G’s memory bandwidth is 38.4 GB/s, which is lower than the 3960X’s 51.2 GB/s, but the 3960X requires quad-channel DDR3, which is more complex to provision.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the recorded head-to-head results, the 3960X takes the Cinebench suite entirely. It wins in Cinebench R15 multi-core (722 versus 651, a 9.8% lead), R15 single-core (102 versus 91, a 10.8% lead), R20 multi-core (3011 versus 2714, a 9.9% lead), R20 single-core (425 versus 383, a 9.9% lead), R23 multi-core (7170 versus 6464, a 9.8% lead), and R23 single-core (1012 versus 912, a 9.9% lead). These are consistent margins around 10%, suggesting that the 3960X has a structural advantage for running Maxon’s rendering benchmark, likely due to its six cores and larger L3 cache.

The 8705G, however, wins in Geekbench, which is a more general-purpose test suite. Its multi-core score of 3968 beats the 3960X’s 3193 by 24.3%, and its single-core score of 1277 beats 656 by a staggering 94.4%. This indicates that the 8705G’s newer architecture, with its improved instruction set and higher IPC, gives it a massive edge in integer and floating-point operations that benefit from modern optimizations. The Geekbench results suggest that for everyday productivity, web browsing, video conferencing, and even light gaming, the 8700G is the stronger processor, despite having fewer cores.

The win/loss record is 2 wins for the 8705G (both Geekbench tests) and 6 wins for the 3960X (all Cinebench tests). That split reflects the nature of the test suites: Cinebench is a pure render workload that scales with core count, while Geekbench is a broader mix that rewards IPC and clock speed. The 3960X’s six cores are strong in rendering, but the 8705G’s four cores are enough to outpace it in general-purpose compute.

FAQ

Q: Is the Intel Core i7-3960X faster than the 8705G in multi-threaded rendering?

A: Yes. In every Cinebench test, the 3960X scores higher. For example, in R23 multi-core, it scores 7170 against the 8705G’s 6464, a 9.8% margin. In R20 multi-core, it scores 3011 against 2714, a 9.9% margin.

Q: Why does the 8705G score so much higher in Geekbench?

A: The Geekbench single-core score of 1277 for the 8705G is 94.4% higher than the 3960X’s 657, and the multi-core score is 3968 versus 3193, a 24.3% lead. This reflects the 8705G’s newer Kaby Lake architecture, which has better per-clock performance and memory latency characteristics.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The 3960X has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the 8705G has 4 cores and 8 threads. The 3960X also has a larger 15 MB shared L3 cache versus 8 MB for the 8705G.

Q: Does the 8705G have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it has Intel HD Graphics 630. The 3960X has no integrated graphics, so a discrete GPU is required for any video output.

Q: Can the 3960X be overclocked?

A: Yes, the 3960X has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking. The 8705G has a locked multiplier, so overclocking is not an option.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The 8705G has a boost clock of 4.10 GHz, while the 3960X has a boost clock of 3.90 GHz. The 8705G also has a lower base clock of 3.10 GHz versus 3.30 GHz for the 3960X.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The biggest win for the 8705G is in Geekbench single-core, where it scores 1277 against the 3960X’s 657, a delta of 94.4%. This is a massive advantage that cannot be overstated; it means the 8705G is nearly twice as fast in single-threaded geekbench workloads. The multi-core Geekbench result is also decisive: 3968 against 3193, a 24.3% lead for the 8705G. These two results alone make the 8705G look like a stronger chip for most general-purpose use.

However, the 3960X wins every Cinebench test by a narrow but consistent margin. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 722 against 651, a 9.8% gap. In R15 single-core, it scores 102 against 91, a 10.8% gap. In R20 multi-core, it scores 3011 against 2714, a 9.9% gap. In R20 single-core, it scores 425 against 383, a 9.9% gap. In R23 multi-core, it scores 7170 against 6464, a 9.8% gap. In R23 single-core, it scores 1012 against 912, a 9.9% gap. The margins are almost uniform, around 10%, which is interesting because the Cinebench benchmarks are all from the same rendering engine.

The 8705G’s Geekbench multi-core win is notable because it has fewer cores (4 versus 6). The Geekbench suite may be more memory-bandwidth sensitive, and the 8705G’s DDR4 dual-channel bus, though lower peak bandwidth (38.4 GB/s versus 51.2 GB/s), benefits from lower latency and better modern memory controller design. The 3960X’s DDR3 quad-channel setup has higher peak bandwidth but likely higher latency, which hurts in these tests.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every specification field except the per-core L1 and L2 cache sizes. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, but the 8705G has 8 MB of shared L3, while the 3960X has 15 MB of shared L3. The core counts differ: 4 cores and 8 threads for the 8705G, versus 6 cores and 12 threads for the 3960X.

The base clocks are 3.10 GHz for the 8705G and 3.30 GHz for the 3960X, but the boost clocks are 4.10 GHz and 3.90 GHz, respectively. The TDP is 65 watts for the 8705G and 130 watts for the 3960X, a significant difference. The sockets are also different: the 8705G uses Intel BGA 2270 (soldered), while the 3960X uses the LGA 2011 socket.

The memory support is split: the 8705G supports DDR4 with a dual-channel bus and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, while the 3960X supports DDR3 with a quad-channel bus and 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. PCIe connectivity differs: the 8705G has 8 Gen 3 lanes, while the 3960X has 40 Gen 3 lanes. The 8705G has integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 630), the 3960X has none. The multiplier is locked on the 8705G, unlocked on the 3960X. The 8705G was released on 2018-01-06, the 3960X on 2011-11-13. The 3960X had a launch MSRP of $990 (this is the only price reference in the database and is stated here as historical context). Production status for both is end-of-life.