Intel Core i9-9960X
The current Intel Core i9-9960X price from retailers, its key specifications, and how it performs for each job.
Intel · CPU
Retailer photo of Intel Core i9-9960X. View this offer in Where to buy
Trade-offs: you want strong value with Balanced priorities specifically
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: MediumAt $203 the Intel Core i9-9960X is priced 27% below its $279 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 i9-9960X: current price and offers
Compare the offers we track for this model, across variants and retailers.
2 tracked offers · 1 retailers
| Variant | Store | Condition | Price (snapshot) | Value · Balanced | Checked | Offer link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Core i9-9960X | Newegg | New | $203 | 31 | 2026-11-09 | View offer → |
| Intel Core i9-9960X | Newegg | New | $354 | 18 | 2026-11-08 | View offer → |
| Intel Core i9-9960XMultiple 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.
#94 of 270 graded processors
- #91 IntelIntel Core i7-12700F 18
- #92 AMDRyzen 5 9600X 18
- #93 IntelIntel Core i7-12700 17
- #94 IntelIntel Core i9-9960X 17
- #95 IntelIntel Core i9-7980XE 17
- #96 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 9600 17
- #97 AMDAMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D 17
Value Balanced
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#158 of 270 currently priced processors
- #155 AMDRyzen 7 9800X3D 32
- #156 IntelIntel Core i9-13900KS 32
- #157 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 4600G 32
- #158 IntelIntel Core i9-9960X 31
- #159 AMDAMD Ryzen 7 2700 31
- #160 IntelIntel Core i9-12900KS 31
- #161 IntelIntel Core i5-9500 31
Performance Gaming
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#186 of 270 graded processors
- #183 IntelIntel Core i5-8600K 55
- #184 IntelIntel Core i9-9900X 54
- #185 IntelIntel Core i7-7700K 54
- #186 IntelIntel Core i9-9960X 54
- #187 IntelIntel Core i9-9920X 54
- #188 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 4600G 54
- #189 IntelIntel Core i5-9600 54
Value Gaming
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#182 of 270 currently priced processors
- #179 IntelIntel Core i9-9920X 30
- #180 IntelIntel Core i5-6400 30
- #181 IntelIntel Core i9-10980XE 30
- #182 IntelIntel Core i9-9960X 29
- #183 IntelIntel Core i7-4790K 29
- #184 IntelIntel Core i7-4790 29
- #185 IntelIntel Core i9-10940X 28
Performance Productivity
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#94 of 270 graded processors
- #91 IntelIntel Core i7-12700F 18
- #92 AMDRyzen 5 9600X 18
- #93 IntelIntel Core i7-12700 17
- #94 IntelIntel Core i9-9960X 17
- #95 IntelIntel Core i9-7980XE 17
- #96 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 9600 17
- #97 AMDAMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D 17
Value Productivity
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#97 of 270 currently priced processors
- #94 IntelIntel Core i5-12600K 43
- #95 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 5600X 43
- #96 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 5600GT 42
- #97 IntelIntel Core i9-9960X 42
- #98 IntelIntel Core i9-12900 42
- #99 IntelIntel Core i9-10980XE 41
- #100 AMDAMD Ryzen 5 5500GT 41
Performance Performance per Watt
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#160 of 270 graded processors
- #157 AMDAMD Threadripper 2920X 19
- #158 IntelIntel Core i7-10700 19
- #159 IntelIntel Core i7-9700K 19
- #160 IntelIntel Core i9-9960X 18
- #161 IntelIntel Core i9-7980XE 18
- #162 IntelIntel Core i9-10900K 18
- #163 IntelIntel Core i9-10900KF 18
Value Performance per Watt
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#183 of 270 currently priced processors
- #180 IntelIntel Core i9-10900F 20
- #181 IntelIntel Core i9-12900KS 19
- #182 AMDAMD Ryzen 3 1200 19
- #183 IntelIntel Core i9-9960X 19
- #184 IntelIntel Core i9-12900K 18
- #185 IntelIntel Core i9-10850K 18
- #186 IntelIntel Core i9-9920X 18
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 Value31 | Higher capability Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus 67 +76% capability | Higher Value with current priorities Intel Core Ultra 5 225F 88 +5% capability |
| GamingScenario capability | GradeB Value29 | Higher capability Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus A 82 +35% capability | Higher Value with current priorities AMD Ryzen 5 7500F A 100 +27% capability · -48% price |
| ProductivityScenario capability | GradeC Value42 | Higher capability Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus A 97 +76% capability | Higher Value with current priorities Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus A 100 +62% capability |
| Performance per WattScenario capability | GradeF Value19 | Higher capability AMD Ryzen 7 8700F A 48 +254% capability | Higher Value with current priorities AMD Ryzen 5 5500 C 100 +121% capability |
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 specificallyat today's market no realistic price for this model reaches strong value with Balanced priorities — the calculation only gets there near $80, against a cheapest tracked $203
- Value for money matters more to you than this exact modelIntel Core Ultra 5 225F holds Relative Value 88 against its 31 with Balanced priorities. Check on Amazon.
- Not the pick if Performance per Watt is your main useit 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 modelAMD Ryzen 5 7500F holds Relative Value 100 against its 29 for Gaming, at $106
- Not the pick if Performance per Watt is your main useit 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
- Not the pick if Productivity is your main useGraded C; Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus reaches A. Check on Amazon.
- You want strong value for Productivity specificallyat today's market no realistic price for this model reaches strong value for Productivity — the calculation only gets there near $57, against a cheapest tracked $203
- Value for money matters more to you than this exact modelIntel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus holds Relative Value 100 against its 42 for Productivity. Check on Amazon.
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
- Not the pick if Performance per Watt is your main useGraded F; AMD Ryzen 7 8700F reaches A. Check on Amazon.
- You want strong value for Performance per Watt specificallycompeting products deliver so much more for Performance per Watt 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 modelAMD Ryzen 5 5500 holds Relative Value 100 against its 19 for Performance per Watt. Check on Amazon.
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 i9-9960X
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
- 3100 MHz
- Boost clock
- 4400 MHz
Power / Interface
Show all specifications
Core / Performance
- L2 cache
- 16 MB
- L3 cache
- 22 MB
- Unlocked multiplier
- Yes
Warranty & release
- Warranty
- 3 years
- Release year
- 2018
Hover any value to see where it came from: a manufacturer specification, or a figure The Comparator calculated.
Sources: Comparator offer frame 2026-11-02–2026-11-09
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.
DDR4 memory
This processor takes DDR4. Memory of another generation does not fit the slots, even on a board with the right socket.
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 i9-9960X offers a balanced view across an all-round mix of priorities. It ranks #94 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 836. Intel Core Ultra 5 225F currently clears the same practical bar with stronger Relative Value.
Intel Core i9-9960X offers B-grade capability for Gaming. It ranks #186 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 836. AMD Ryzen 5 7500F currently clears the same practical bar with stronger Relative Value.
Intel Core i9-9960X offers C-grade capability for Productivity. It ranks #94 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 836. The C grade is the decisive limitation for this workload.
Intel Core i9-9960X offers F-grade capability for Performance per Watt. It ranks #160 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 836. 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 listing snapshots can participate in Value while fresh. We show Check on Amazon instead of its price; confirm the current price and availability at the store. When no current listing snapshot exists, Amazon is a search link only.
Useful links & sources
offer frame 2026-11-02–2026-11-09 · formula cpu-value-v6.1 · facts facts-2026-11-09 · 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.