i5-3470 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
+96.9%
Core i5-3470
2012
4 cores / 4 threads, 77 Watt
2.95

Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition outperforms Core i5-3470 by an impressive 97% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core i5-3470 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking11291654
Place by popularitynot in top-10015
Cost-effectiveness evaluationno data0.59
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i7EEIntel Core i5 (Desktop)
Power efficiency3.673.63
Architecture codenameSandy Bridge (2011−2013)Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
Release date12 November 2012 (12 years ago)1 June 2012 (12 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)no data$184

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core i5-3470 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)4 (Quad-Core)
Threads124
Base clock speedno data3.2 GHz
Boost clock speed3.5 GHz3.6 GHz
Bus typeDMI 2.0no data
Bus rate5 GT/s5 GT/s
Multiplier35no data
L1 cacheno data64 KB (per core)
L2 cache1,536 KB256K (per core)
L3 cache15 MB6 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nm22 nm
Die sizeno data132.8 mm2
Maximum core temperatureno data67 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)no data67 °C
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core i5-3470 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 dataFCLGA1155
Power consumption (TDP)150 Watt77 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core i5-3470. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsno dataIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX
AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technologyno data2.0
Hyper-Threading Technologyno data-
Idle Statesno data+
Thermal Monitoring-+
FDIno data+

Security technologies

Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core i5-3470 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXTno data+
EDBno data+
Secure Keyno data+
Identity Protection-+
Anti-Theftno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core i5-3470 are enumerated here.

VT-dno data+
VT-xno data+
EPTno data+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core i5-3470. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesno dataDDR3
Maximum memory size64 GB32 GB
Max memory channelsno data2
Maximum memory bandwidthno data25.6 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataIntel HD Graphics 2500
Quick Sync Video-+
Clear Video HDno data+
Graphics max frequencyno data1.1 GHz
InTru 3Dno data+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core i5-3470 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data3

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core i5-3470.

PCIe version2.003.0
PCI Express lanes40no data

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i7-3970X Extreme Edition 5.81
+96.9%
i5-3470 2.95

3DMark Fire Strike Physics

i7-3970X Extreme Edition 12900
+128%
i5-3470 5660

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 5.81 2.95
Recency 12 November 2012 1 June 2012
Physical cores 6 4
Threads 12 4
Chip lithography 32 nm 22 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 150 Watt 77 Watt

i7-3970X Extreme Edition has a 96.9% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 5 months, and 50% more physical cores and 200% more threads.

i5-3470, on the other hand, has a 45.5% more advanced lithography process, and 94.8% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i5-3470 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core i5-3470, 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 i5-3470
Core i5-3470

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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