CPU Comparison
Intel Core i7-3960X
Xeon E-2124G
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core i7-3960X vs Intel Xeon E-2124G
The Intel Core i7-3960X and the Intel Xeon E-2124G are two end-of-life processors from different eras and market segments, yet their average benchmark scores are nearly identical. The data shows a clear split: the older Core i7-3960X dominates in Cinebench workloads, while the newer Xeon E-2124G wins decisively in Geekbench tests. This page breaks down where each processor excels, what the architectural differences mean, and which workloads favor which chip.
Where Each One Wins
The benchmark results paint a surprisingly clear picture of two very different performance profiles. The Intel Core i7-3960X wins 6 of the 8 head-to-head tests, all of them in the Cinebench suite. Its wins are consistent across R15, R20, and R23, with multicore and singlecore deltas hovering around 17.7-18.6%. This suggests a fundamental advantage in sustained, heavily threaded rendering workloads. The Cinebench R23 multicore score of 7170 for the i7-3960X versus 6092 for the Xeon E-2124G represents a 17.7% lead, showing that the older chip’s six cores and twelve threads are still highly effective in this type of application.
The Intel Xeon E-2124G, conversely, wins only the two Geekbench tests, but it wins them by enormous margins. In Geekbench multicore, the Xeon scores 4263 against the i7-3960X’s 3193, a 25.1% advantage. The Geekbench singlecore gap is even more dramatic: 1438 versus 657, a 54.3% difference. These results indicate that the Xeon E-2124G has a massive per-core performance advantage, likely due to its much higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz versus the i7-3960X’s 3.90 GHz. The data implies that the Xeon is better suited for lightly threaded, latency-sensitive tasks, while the i7-3960X is the choice for parallel rendering workloads.
Architecture Differences
The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies and eras. The Intel Core i7-3960X is built on the Sandy Bridge architecture using a 32 nm process node, while the Intel Xeon E-2124G uses the Coffee Lake architecture on a 14 nm node. This generational gap explains much of the performance difference. The i7-3960X has a large die size of 435 mm² with 2,270 million transistors, while the Xeon E-2124G has a much smaller die at 126 mm², reflecting the denser manufacturing process.
Core configurations differ significantly. The i7-3960X offers 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Xeon E-2124G provides only 4 cores and 4 threads, with no hyper-threading. The i7-3960X’s 15 MB of shared L3 cache dwarfs the Xeon’s 8 MB, which likely contributes to its Cinebench performance. Both processors have the same L1 cache of 64 KB per core and L2 cache of 256 KB per core. The Xeon compensates for fewer cores with a higher base clock of 3.40 GHz and boost clock of 4.50 GHz, compared to the i7-3960X’s 3.30 GHz base and 3.90 GHz boost.
Memory architecture also diverges sharply. The i7-3960X supports quad-channel DDR3 memory with a theoretical bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the Xeon E-2124G uses dual-channel DDR4 with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth. The Xeon supports ECC memory, which is crucial for server and workstation reliability, while the i7-3960X does not. PCIe lane counts differ as well, with the i7-3960X offering 40 CPU lanes versus 16 on the Xeon. The Xeon also includes integrated HD Graphics P630, while the i7-3960X has no integrated graphics.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The Cinebench results show a consistent pattern of dominance for the Intel Core i7-3960X. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7-3960X scores 722 against the Xeon’s 613, a 17.8% lead. The singlecore R15 test shows a similar gap at 18.6%, with scores of 102 and 86 respectively. This pattern continues in R20, where the multicore scores are 3011 versus 2558 (17.7% delta) and singlecore scores are 425 versus 361 (17.7% delta). The R23 results mirror this exactly, with the i7-3960X scoring 7170 multicore and 1012 singlecore, versus the Xeon’s 6092 and 860, both showing 17.7% deltas.
The Geekbench results flip the narrative completely. In Geekbench multicore, the Intel Xeon E-2124G scores 4263, which is 25.1% higher than the i7-3960X’s 3193. The singlecore Geekbench test is where the Xeon truly excels, scoring 1438 against the i7-3960X’s 657, a 54.3% difference. These results suggest that Geekbench’s scoring methodology heavily favors the newer architecture and higher clock speeds of the Xeon, while Cinebench rewards the i7-3960X’s additional cores and larger cache.
The average benchmark scores for both processors are nearly identical, with the i7-3960X at 2037 and the Xeon E-2124G at 2034. The nearest rivals for the i7-3960X include the AMD Opteron 6386 SE with an average score of 2038 and the Intel Core i7-7700T at 2039. The Xeon E-2124G’s nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 5 4500U at 2035, with the i7-3960X itself listed as a rival at a -0.1% delta.
The Verdict
The data suggests two distinct usage scenarios. For anyone running Cinebench-style rendering workloads, the Intel Core i7-3960X is the superior processor. Its consistent 17.7-18.6% lead across all Cinebench versions, from R15 to R23, indicates that its six cores, twelve threads, and 15 MB of L3 cache provide a meaningful advantage for this type of parallel processing.
For general-purpose computing and single-threaded performance, the Intel Xeon E-2124G is the clear winner. The 54.3% singlecore Geekbench lead and 25.1% multicore Geekbench advantage are substantial. This makes the Xeon the better choice for workloads that are latency-sensitive or rely on high clock speeds, such as database queries or lightly threaded applications. The Xeon also offers ECC memory support and integrated graphics, making it a more complete package for server environments.
Both processors sit at the 45th percentile among all CPUs, indicating they are mid-pack performers overall. The i7-3960X, despite its age, still holds its own in multicore workloads, while the Xeon E-2124G demonstrates the benefits of newer architecture and higher clock speeds. The choice ultimately depends on whether the workload is more parallel (favoring the i7-3960X) or more sequential (favoring the Xeon E-2124G).
FAQ
Q: Which processor is better for Cinebench rendering?
A: The Intel Core i7-3960X wins all Cinebench tests, with a 17.7% lead in R23 multicore (7170 versus 6092) and an 18.6% lead in R15 singlecore (102 versus 86).
Q: Why does the Intel Xeon E-2124G win Geekbench by such a large margin?
A: The Xeon’s Geekbench singlecore score of 1438 is 54.3% higher than the i7-3960X’s 657. This is likely due to its higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz versus 3.90 GHz and newer Coffee Lake architecture.
Q: Do these processors have the same average benchmark score?
A: They are nearly identical, with the i7-3960X averaging 2037 and the Xeon E-2124G averaging 2034, a difference of only 0.1-0.2%.
Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?
A: Only the Intel Xeon E-2124G supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i7-3960X does not.
Q: How do the core counts compare?
A: The Intel Core i7-3960X has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Xeon E-2124G has 4 cores and 4 threads, with no hyper-threading.
Q: Which processor has more PCIe lanes?
A: The Intel Core i7-3960X offers 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, while the Intel Xeon E-2124G provides only 16 lanes.
Specification Differences
| Specification | Intel Core i7-3960X | Intel Xeon E-2124G |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 6 | 4 |
| Threads | 12 | 4 |
| Base Clock | 3.30 GHz | 3.40 GHz |
| Boost Clock | 3.90 GHz | 4.50 GHz |
| TDP | 130 W | 71 W |
| Socket | Intel Socket 2011 | Intel Socket 1151 |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge | Coffee Lake |
| Process Node | 32 nm | 14 nm |
| Die Size | 435 mm² | 126 mm² |
| Transistors | 2,270 million | Not specified |
| L3 Cache | 15 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |
| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR4 |
| Memory Bus | Quad-channel | Dual-channel |
| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 42.7 GB/s |
| ECC Memory | No | Yes |
| PCIe | Gen 3, 40 Lanes | Gen 3, 16 Lanes |
| Integrated Graphics | None | HD Graphics P630 |
| Market Segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |
| Release Date | 2011-11-13 | 2018-07-11 |
| Launch MSRP | $990 | $218 |
| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |