i5-12500E vs i7-3970X Extreme Edition

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Aggregate performance score

Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition
2012
6 cores / 12 threads, 150 Watt
5.81
Core i5-12500E
2022
6 cores / 12 threads, 65 Watt
13.03
+124%

Core i5-12500E outperforms Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition by a whopping 124% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core i5-12500E processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking1129584
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i7EEno data
Power efficiency3.6618.96
Architecture codenameSandy Bridge (2011−2013)Alder Lake-S (2022)
Release date12 November 2012 (12 years ago)January 2022 (2 years ago)

Detailed specifications

Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core i5-12500E 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 cores6 (Hexa-Core)6 (Hexa-Core)
Threads1212
Base clock speedno data2.9 GHz
Boost clock speed3.5 GHz4.5 GHz
Bus typeDMI 2.0no data
Bus rate5 GT/sno data
Multiplier35no data
L1 cacheno data80K (per core)
L2 cache1,536 KB1.25 MB (per core)
L3 cache15 MB18 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nm10 nm
Die sizeno data163 mm2
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-+

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core i5-12500E 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 configuration1 (Uniprocessor)1
Socketno data1700
Power consumption (TDP)150 Watt65 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core i5-12500E. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
TSX-+

Security technologies

Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core i5-12500E technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXTno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core i5-12500E are enumerated here.

VT-dno data+
VT-xno data+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core i5-12500E. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesno dataDDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel
Maximum memory size64 GBno data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataIntel UHD Graphics 770

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core i5-12500E.

PCIe version2.005.0
PCI Express lanes4020

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 5.81 13.03
Chip lithography 32 nm 10 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 150 Watt 65 Watt

i5-12500E has a 124.3% higher aggregate performance score, a 220% more advanced lithography process, and 130.8% lower power consumption.

The Core i5-12500E is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core i5-12500E, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition
Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition
Intel Core i5-12500E
Core i5-12500E

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Community ratings

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4 28 votes

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Questions & comments

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