Apple M2 vs i7-3970X Extreme Edition
Aggregate performance score
Apple M2 outperforms Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition by an impressive 62% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Primary details
Comparing Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and M2 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in the ranking | 1129 | 814 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Market segment | Desktop processor | Laptop |
| Series | Intel Core i7EE | Apple Apple M-Series |
| Power efficiency | 3.67 | 44.48 |
| Architecture codename | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | no data |
| Release date | 12 November 2012 (12 years ago) | 10 June 2022 (2 years ago) |
Detailed specifications
Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and M2 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) | 8 (Octa-Core) |
| Threads | 12 | 8 |
| Base clock speed | no data | 2.424 GHz |
| Boost clock speed | 3.5 GHz | 3.48 GHz |
| Bus type | DMI 2.0 | no data |
| Bus rate | 5 GT/s | no data |
| Multiplier | 35 | no data |
| L1 cache | no data | 2 MB |
| L2 cache | 1,536 KB | 20 MB |
| L3 cache | 15 MB | no data |
| Chip lithography | 32 nm | 5 nm |
| Number of transistors | no data | 20000 Million |
| 64 bit support | + | + |
| Windows 11 compatibility | - | no data |
Compatibility
Information on Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and M2 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) | no data |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 150 Watt | 20 Watt |
Technologies and extensions
Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and M2. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.
| AES-NI | + | - |
| AVX | + | - |
| Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST) | + | no data |
Memory specs
Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and M2. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.
| Maximum memory size | 64 GB | no data |
Graphics specifications
General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.
| Integrated graphics card | no data | Apple M2 10-Core GPU ( - 1398 MHz) |
Peripherals
Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and M2.
| PCIe version | 2.00 | no data |
| PCI Express lanes | 40 | no data |
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 5.81 | 9.40 |
| Recency | 12 November 2012 | 10 June 2022 |
| Physical cores | 6 | 8 |
| Threads | 12 | 8 |
| Chip lithography | 32 nm | 5 nm |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 150 Watt | 20 Watt |
i7-3970X Extreme Edition has 50% more threads.
Apple M2, on the other hand, has a 61.8% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 9 years, 33.3% more physical cores, a 540% more advanced lithography process, and 650% lower power consumption.
The M2 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition in performance tests.
Note that Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition is a desktop processor while Apple M2 is a notebook one.
Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Apple M2, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.
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