Intel Core i7-880 vs Intel Core i7-960 Comparison
Intel Core i7-880
Core i7-960
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core i7-880 vs Intel Core i7-960
The Verdict
The data shows a clear, if narrow, victory for the Intel Core i7-880. It wins all five recorded benchmark comparisons against the Intel Core i7-960, with margins ranging from 1.2% to 1.8%. The i7-880 is the faster processor in every measured workload, but the differences are small enough that they will not dramatically change the experience in most real-world tasks.
The i7-880 should be the pick for anyone building a system around the Intel Socket 1156 platform, as it offers better single-core and multi-core performance with a significantly lower thermal envelope. The i7-960, on the other hand, belongs to the Intel Socket 1366 platform, which brings triple-channel memory support. That platform advantage is the main reason to consider it, despite its lower benchmark scores.
Neither chip has a launch MSRP listed in the database, so the decision must rest on performance and platform fit rather than price. Both are end-of-life desktop parts, so the practical question is which socket and memory configuration you already have or prefer. If you are on Socket 1156, the i7-880 is the better chip. If you need Socket 1366 and triple-channel memory, the i7-960 is the only one of the two that works.
Architecture Differences
Both processors share the same Nehalem architecture family and are built on the same 45 nm process node at Intel. The core counts are identical at 4 cores and 8 threads, and both have matching cache hierarchies: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The transistor counts and die sizes differ slightly, with the i7-880 using 774 million transistors on a 296 mm² die, while the i7-960 uses 731 million transistors on a 263 mm² die.
The meaningful architectural split is the socket and memory controller. The i7-880 is a Lynnfield part for Intel Socket 1156, and it runs a dual-channel DDR3 memory bus. The i7-960 is a Bloomfield part for Intel Socket 1366, and it runs a triple-channel DDR3 memory bus. That triple-channel configuration gives the i7-960 a memory bandwidth advantage on paper, though the benchmark results do not show it translating into higher performance.
Both chips support PCIe Gen 2. The i7-880 lists 16 lanes from the CPU only, while the i7-960 simply lists PCIe Gen 2 without additional lane detail. Neither chip has integrated graphics, and neither supports ECC memory. Both are multiplier-locked, so overclocking headroom is limited without adjusting the base clock.
The i7-960 launched earlier in October 2009, while the i7-880 came later in May 2010. The newer launch date for the i7-880 likely explains its slightly higher clock speeds, which are covered below.
FAQ
Q: Which processor is faster in single-core workloads?
A: The Intel Core i7-880 leads in both single-core tests. It scores 173 in Cinebench R20 single-core versus 170 for the i7-960, and it scores 412 in Cinebench R23 single-core versus 407. That is a 1.8% advantage in R20 and a 1.2% advantage in R23.
Q: How do the two chips compare in multi-core performance?
A: The i7-880 wins all three multi-core tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core it scores 294 versus 290, in R20 multi-core it scores 1227 versus 1211, and in R23 multi-core it scores 2923 versus 2885. The margins are 1.4%, 1.3%, and 1.3%, respectively.
Q: Do the two processors use the same motherboard socket?
A: No. The i7-880 uses Intel Socket 1156, while the i7-960 uses Intel Socket 1366. They are not interchangeable, so the platform choice is fixed before you pick the CPU.
Q: Is there a difference in memory channel support?
A: Yes. The i7-880 supports dual-channel DDR3 memory, while the i7-960 supports triple-channel DDR3 memory. The i7-960 therefore has a wider memory bus, but the benchmark data does not show a performance benefit from it.
Q: Which chip consumes less power?
A: The i7-880 has a TDP of 95 watts, while the i7-960 has a TDP of 130 watts. The i7-880 is the more power-efficient part by a substantial margin of 35 watts.
Q: Are both processors still in production?
A: No. Both are listed as end-of-life desktop parts. The i7-960 was released in October 2009, and the i7-880 was released in May 2010.
Specification Differences
The two processors differ in the following recorded fields:
- Base clock: The i7-880 runs at 3.07 GHz, while the i7-960 runs at 3.20 GHz. The i7-960 has the higher base clock by 0.13 GHz.
- Boost clock: The i7-880 boosts to 3.73 GHz, while the i7-960 boosts to 3.47 GHz. The i7-880 has the higher boost clock by 0.26 GHz.
- TDP: The i7-880 is rated at 95 watts, while the i7-960 is rated at 130 watts.
- Socket: The i7-880 uses Intel Socket 1156, while the i7-960 uses Intel Socket 1366.
- Codename: The i7-880 is Lynnfield, while the i7-960 is Bloomfield.
- Transistors: The i7-880 has 774 million transistors, while the i7-960 has 731 million.
- Die size: The i7-880 measures 296 mm², while the i7-960 measures 263 mm².
- Memory bus: The i7-880 is dual-channel, while the i7-960 is triple-channel.
- PCIe: The i7-880 lists Gen 2 with 16 lanes from the CPU only, while the i7-960 lists Gen 2 with no lane count.
- Release date: The i7-960 launched in October 2009, while the i7-880 launched in May 2010.
- Part number: The i7-880 is SLBPS, while the i7-960 is SLBEU.
The core count, thread count, L1 and L2 cache sizes, L3 cache size, process node, foundry, memory type, ECC support, integrated graphics, market segment, production status, and multiplier lock status are identical between the two.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The head-to-head data is unambiguous: the i7-880 wins every test. The largest margin is in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the i7-880 scores 173 against 170 for the i7-960, a 1.8% lead. The smallest margin is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the i7-880 scores 412 against 407, a 1.2% lead.
In multi-core tests, the i7-880 scores 294 in Cinebench R15 versus 290, a 1.4% lead. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, it scores 1227 versus 1211, a 1.3% lead. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 2923 versus 2885, also a 1.3% lead.
The pattern is consistent: the i7-880 is ahead in every workload, but the lead is always small. The average benchmark score from the database reflects this, with the i7-880 at 1006 and the i7-960 at 993. That is a difference of 13 points, or roughly 1.3%.
Both processors sit at the 27th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they are statistically equivalent in overall standing. The nearest rivals for the i7-880 include the Intel Core i5-10210Y and AMD FX-9830P, both with an average score of 1006, and the Intel Core i7-2630QM at 1005, a 0.1% gap. The nearest rivals for the i7-960 include the Intel Core i7-965 and AMD Phenom II X6 1065T, both at 993, and the Intel Core i3-8130U at 994, a 0.1% gap.
Where Each One Wins
The i7-880 wins in every benchmark category recorded. It has the higher boost clock at 3.73 GHz versus 3.47 GHz, which directly explains its single-core wins. It also has a lower TDP at 95 watts versus 130 watts, making it the better choice for compact builds, lower-power systems, or any setup where heat output matters. For any workload that relies on raw CPU throughput, whether single-threaded or multi-threaded, the i7-880 is the faster part.
The i7-960 does not win a single benchmark in the database, but it has advantages that are not captured in the Cinebench scores. Its platform, Intel Socket 1366, supports triple-channel DDR3 memory, which the i7-880's Socket 1156 platform does not. The i7-960 also has a higher base clock at 3.20 GHz versus 3.07 GHz, which means it can sustain a higher minimum frequency under load before boost kicks in. If a workload is heavily memory-bandwidth bound and benefits from the wider memory bus, the i7-960 could close the gap or potentially pull ahead in scenarios not measured here.
For a practical decision: if you are choosing between the two for a new build or an upgrade on an existing platform, the i7-880 is the better CPU. It is faster in every measured test, uses less power, and has a higher boost clock. If you already own a Socket 1366 motherboard with triple-channel memory, the i7-960 is a perfectly capable chip, and the benchmark differences are small enough that platform cost and memory configuration should drive the decision. The data does not support choosing the i7-960 for its processing power, but it does support choosing it for its platform features.