Retailer photo of Intel Core i9-7960X OEM/Tray. View this offer in Where to buy
Intel · CPU
Intel Core i9-7960X
The current Intel Core i9-7960X price from retailers, its key specifications, and how it performs for each job.
Trade-offs: you want strong value with Balanced priorities specifically
- Cores / threads
- 16C / 32T
- Boost clock
- 4400 MHz
- Socket
- LGA 2066
- TDP
- 297 W
Move a slider and the page re-scores this product against the same market frame.
What does it cost today, and is that a good price?
Market confidence: LowAt $1000 the Intel Core i9-7960X is priced in line with its $1000 representative market level. Only one retailer currently backs that price, so the level is a single data point rather than a market.
Limited market: only one retailer currently has a verified offer, so treat this price as a single data point.
Prices & availability
Intel Core i9-7960X: current price and offers
Compare the offers we track for this model, across variants and retailers.
1 tracked offers · 1 retailers
| Variant | Store | Condition | Price (snapshot) | Value · Balanced | Checked | Offer link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Core i9-7960X OEM/Tray | Newegg | New | $1,000 | 8 | 2026-10-16 | View offer → |
| Intel Core i9-7960XMultiple variants available | Amazon Affiliate | Varies | Find on Amazon | Not tracked | No price snapshot | Find on Amazon → |
Prices are dated snapshots, not live quotes — confirm the final price at the store. New, refurbished and used offers are listed separately; used offers carry warranty and seller risk.
Performance and where it ranks
Two different questions, side by side. Performance compares what the hardware can do; Value compares what that capability costs at today’s price. A product can rank high on one and low on the other — that gap is the point.
Performance Balanced
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#99 of 264 graded processors
- #96 IntelIntel Core i9-9940X 16
- #97 AMDAMD Ryzen 7 5800X 16
- #98 IntelIntel Core i9-10940X 16
- #99 IntelIntel Core i9-7960X 16
- #100 IntelIntel Core i5-12600K 16
- #101 IntelIntel Core i5-12600KF 16
- #102 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 7600 16
Value Balanced
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#261 of 264 currently priced processors
- #258 IntelIntel Xeon E3 1276 V3 8
- #259 IntelIntel Xeon E3 1220 V5 8
- #260 IntelIntel Xeon E3-1245 V3 8
- #261 IntelIntel Core i9-7960X 8
- #262 IntelIntel Xeon E3 1240 V3 8
- #263 AMDAMD A6 9500 7
- #264 IntelIntel Xeon E5-2643 v4 7
Performance Gaming
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#189 of 264 graded processors
- #186 IntelIntel Core i5-9600 54
- #187 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 4500 54
- #188 IntelIntel Core i3-9350KF 54
- #189 IntelIntel Core i9-7960X 54
- #190 IntelIntel Core i7-9800X 54
- #191 IntelIntel Core i5-10400F 54
- #192 IntelIntel Core i9-7900X 54
Value Gaming
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#264 of 264 currently priced processors
- #258 IntelIntel Core i7 Extreme 4960X 7
- #259 IntelIntel Core i7-4820K 7
- #260 IntelIntel Xeon E5-2643 v4 7
- #261 AMDAMD A6 9500 7
- #262 AMDAMD Athlon X4 860K 7
- #263 AMDAMD Athlon X4 760K 6
- #264 IntelIntel Core i9-7960X 6
Performance Productivity
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#99 of 264 graded processors
- #96 IntelIntel Core i9-9940X 16
- #97 AMDAMD Ryzen 7 5800X 16
- #98 IntelIntel Core i9-10940X 16
- #99 IntelIntel Core i9-7960X 16
- #100 IntelIntel Core i5-12600K 16
- #101 IntelIntel Core i5-12600KF 16
- #102 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 7600 16
Value Productivity
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#171 of 264 currently priced processors
- #168 IntelIntel Core i5-10400 3
- #169 AMDAMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D 3
- #170 IntelIntel Core i5-9600KF 3
- #171 IntelIntel Core i9-7960X 3
- #172 IntelIntel Core i9-11900KF 3
- #173 IntelIntel Core i9-10900X 3
- #174 IntelIntel Core i5-9600K 3
Performance Performance per Watt
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#169 of 264 graded processors
- #166 IntelIntel Core i5-10500 18
- #167 IntelIntel Pentium Gold G7400 18
- #168 IntelIntel Core i9-10940X 17
- #169 IntelIntel Core i9-7960X 17
- #170 IntelIntel Core i9-7920X 17
- #171 IntelIntel Core i5-10600 16
- #172 IntelIntel Core i5-10400 16
Value Performance per Watt
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#256 of 264 currently priced processors
- #253 IntelIntel Core i7-6800K 4
- #254 IntelIntel Core i7 Extreme 6950X 4
- #255 IntelIntel Core i5-6402P 4
- #256 IntelIntel Core i9-7960X 4
- #257 IntelIntel Core i7-5820K 3
- #258 AMDAMD Athlon X4 860K 3
- #259 AMDAMD A6 9500 3
These ladders follow the preset scenario shown above. Your own weights re-score this product, not the whole field.
What it is good for
| Scenario | this productCapability grade · Value at current price | Higher capability | Higher Value with current priorities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balanced (all-round)Weighted all-round view | GradeNo grade Value8 | Higher capability AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7960X 33 +203% capability · +15% price | Higher Value with current priorities Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus 100 +75% capability · -80% price |
| GamingScenario capability | GradeB Value6 | Higher capability Higher capability · Higher Value with current priorities Ryzen 7 9850X3D S 100 +86% capability · -52% price | |
| ProductivityScenario capability | GradeC Value3 | Higher capability AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7960X S 38 +203% capability · +15% price | Higher Value with current priorities Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus S 54 +149% capability · -67% price |
| Performance per WattScenario capability | GradeF Value4 | Higher capability AMD Ryzen 9 7900 S 93 +492% capability · -55% price | Higher Value with current priorities AMD Ryzen 7 9700X S 100 +354% capability · -75% price |
Balanced has no letter: it is a weighting preset, not a capability rubric. A grade answers “how well does this handle that job?” — price is never part of it. Relative Value puts the current market price back in.
Compare these grades with the full tier list
Browse shortlists for different uses
Trade-offs
Works well if
- Gaming is your main prioritygraded B for Gaming on the same rubric as the tier list
Consider other options if
- You want strong value with Balanced priorities specificallycompeting products deliver so much more per dollar that no price this model realistically trades at reaches the strong-value mark for this job
- Value for money matters more to you than this exact modelIntel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus holds Relative Value 100 against its 8 with Balanced priorities, at $200
- Performance per Watt is what you actually need it forit grades only F there
Works well if
- Gaming is your main prioritygraded B for Gaming on the same rubric as the tier list
Consider other options if
- You want strong value for Gaming specificallycompeting products deliver so much more for Gaming per dollar that no price this model realistically trades at reaches the strong-value mark for this job
- Value for money matters more to you than this exact modelRyzen 7 9850X3D holds Relative Value 100 against its 6 for Gaming, at $484
- Performance per Watt is what you actually need it forit grades only F there
For the selected scenario this is not a strong fit — the grade above is the reason, and the models below suit it better.
Works well if
- Productivity is not actually your main job — Gaming isit grades C for Productivity, but B for Gaming
Consider other options if
- Productivity is what you actually need it forit grades C there; AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7960X grades S at $1154
- Value for money matters more to you than this exact modelIntel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus holds Relative Value 54 against its 3 for Productivity, at $330
For the selected scenario this is not a strong fit — the grade above is the reason, and the models below suit it better.
Works well if
- Performance per Watt is not actually your main job — Gaming isit grades F for Performance per Watt, but B for Gaming
Consider other options if
- Performance per Watt is what you actually need it forit grades F there; AMD Ryzen 9 7900 grades S at $446
- Value for money matters more to you than this exact modelAMD Ryzen 7 9700X holds Relative Value 100 against its 4 for Performance per Watt, at $250
Models that suit Performance per Watt better, at this budget
Every line states the fact it was derived from, for the scenario selected above. Thresholds are calculated points on our value curve — information about where the maths turns, not instructions about what to pay.
Similar options to the Intel Core i9-7960X
Chosen for Balanced
Chosen for Gaming
Chosen for Productivity
Chosen for Performance per Watt
Alternatives stay near this product’s price range. Step-up options may exceed the standard budget envelope when the capability gain is meaningful.
More head-to-head comparisons in this category
Upgrade planner
Judge the change in the active scenario, then make the cash gap explicit.
Using page scenarioWhat are you upgrading from? These are the axes we compare on, and where this product stands in the current market.
We rank upgrades by out-of-pocket cost — the new price minus what yours is worth — not by sticker price.
Only candidates that clear the configured meaningful-upgrade gate will be shown; roles are omitted rather than filled.
Capability differences are expressed as tiers and index points, not as benchmark percentages we did not measure.
Specifications and compatibility
What this product is, and what to check before it goes into your build.
Core / Performance
- Cores
- 16
- Threads
- 32
- Performance cores
- 16
- Efficiency cores
- 0
- Base clock
- 2800 MHz
- Boost clock
- 4400 MHz
Power / Interface
- TDP
- 297 W
- Maximum turbo power
- 297 W
- Socket
- LGA 2066
- Maximum memory
- 128 GB
- Integrated graphics
- No
- Process node
- 14 nm
Show all specifications
Core / Performance
- L2 cache
- 16 MB
- L3 cache
- 22 MB
- Unlocked multiplier
- Yes
Warranty & release
- Warranty
- 3 years
- Release year
- 2014
- Manufacturer part number
- CD8067303734802
Hover any value to see where it came from: a manufacturer specification, or a figure The Comparator calculated.
Sources: Comparator offer frame 2026-10-10–2026-10-17
What to check in your build
LGA 2066 required
Your motherboard must use socket LGA 2066. A different socket does not fit — this is a physical constraint, not a preference.
Board BIOS must list this model
A matching socket is necessary but not sufficient — check the vendor CPU support list.
Unknown
Cooler rated for 297 W or more
No cooler is included. Your cooler must be rated for at least 297 W on socket LGA 2066.
Discrete GPU required
Found an error? Report this specification Email the field, corrected value and an optional source.
Compatibility guidance is practical help, not a score. Missing data is shown as unknown, never invented.
Summary
Intel Core i9-7960X offers a balanced view across an all-round mix of priorities. It ranks #99 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 776. Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus currently clears the same practical bar with stronger Relative Value.
Intel Core i9-7960X offers B-grade capability for Gaming. It ranks #189 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 776. Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus currently clears the same practical bar with stronger Relative Value.
Intel Core i9-7960X offers C-grade capability for Productivity. It ranks #99 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 776. The C grade is the decisive limitation for this workload.
Intel Core i9-7960X offers F-grade capability for Performance per Watt. It ranks #169 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 776. The F grade is the decisive limitation for this workload.
FAQ
Why does Relative Value change when I choose another scenario?
Each scenario changes the weights applied to capability, price and the other published factors. The hardware facts stay fixed, but the value question changes, so its score and rank can change too.
Why can Amazon appear without a tracked price?
Amazon is shown as a discovery link when we do not have a permitted verified price snapshot. It is excluded from price comparisons, rankings and Relative Value until a compliant tracked price exists.
Useful links & sources
offer frame 2026-10-10–2026-10-17 · formula cpu-value-v1.4 · facts facts-2026-10-17 · Relative Value is an estimate from our current dataset, the selected weights and dated market prices — not an official product rating and not a price forecast. Target prices are calculation thresholds, not predictions. Methodology We are not a shop. Affiliate links may earn us a commission; they never change the calculations or the ranking.