A6-9500 vs i7-3970X Extreme Edition

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and A6-9500 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking	1117	2354
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	no data	2.62
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Series	Intel Core i7EE	no data
Power efficiency	3.67	1.72
Architecture codename	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)
Release date	12 November 2012 (12 years ago)	27 July 2017 (7 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	no data	$64

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and A6-9500 basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores	6 (Hexa-Core)	2 (Dual-core)
Threads	12	2
Base clock speed	no data	3.5 GHz
Boost clock speed	3.5 GHz	3.8 GHz
Bus type	DMI 2.0	no data
Bus rate	5 GT/s	no data
Multiplier	35	no data
L2 cache	1,536 KB	1024 KB
L3 cache	15 MB	0 KB
Chip lithography	32 nm	28 nm
Die size	no data	246 mm2
Maximum core temperature	no data	90 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	no data	74 °C
Number of transistors	no data	1,178 million
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	-	-

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and A6-9500 compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration	1 (Uniprocessor)	1
Socket	no data	AM4
Power consumption (TDP)	150 Watt	65 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and A6-9500. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

AES-NI	+	+
FMA	-	+
AVX	+	+
FRTC	-	+
FreeSync	-	+
PowerTune	-	+
TrueAudio	-	+
PowerNow	-	+
PowerGating	-	+
VirusProtect	-	+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and A6-9500 are enumerated here.

AMD-V

-

+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and A6-9500. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	no data	DDR4-2400
Maximum memory size	64 GB	no data
Max memory channels	no data	2

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card	no data	AMD Radeon R5 Graphics
iGPU core count	no data	6
Enduro	-	+
UVD	-	+
VCE	-	+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and A6-9500 integrated GPUs.

DisplayPort	-	+
HDMI	-	+

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and A6-9500 integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX	no data	DirectX® 12
Vulkan	-	+

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and A6-9500.

PCIe version	2.00	3.0
PCI Express lanes	40	8

Pros & cons summary

---

Performance score	5.81	1.18
Recency	12 November 2012	27 July 2017
Physical cores	6	2
Threads	12	2
Chip lithography	32 nm	28 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	150 Watt	65 Watt

---

Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and A6-9500, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.

---