i5-7640X vs i7-3970X Extreme Edition
Aggregate performance score
Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition outperforms Core i5-7640X by a substantial 31% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Primary details
Comparing Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core i5-7640X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in the ranking | 1115 | 1325 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Cost-effectiveness evaluation | no data | 1.87 |
| Market segment | Desktop processor | Desktop processor |
| Series | Intel Core i7EE | Intel Core i5 |
| Power efficiency | 3.67 | 3.74 |
| Architecture codename | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Kaby Lake-X (2017) |
| Release date | 12 November 2012 (12 years ago) | 30 May 2017 (7 years ago) |
| Launch price (MSRP) | no data | $242 |
Cost-effectiveness evaluation
Performance per price, higher is better.
Detailed specifications
Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core i5-7640X 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) | 4 (Quad-Core) |
| Threads | 12 | 4 |
| Base clock speed | no data | 4 GHz |
| Boost clock speed | 3.5 GHz | 4.2 GHz |
| Bus type | DMI 2.0 | DMI 3.0 |
| Bus rate | 5 GT/s | 4 × 8 GT/s |
| Multiplier | 35 | 40 |
| L1 cache | no data | 256 KB |
| L2 cache | 1,536 KB | 1 MB |
| L3 cache | 15 MB | 6 MB (shared) |
| Chip lithography | 32 nm | 14 nm |
| Maximum core temperature | no data | 100 °C |
| Maximum case temperature (TCase) | no data | 72 °C |
| 64 bit support | + | + |
| Windows 11 compatibility | - | - |
| Unlocked multiplier | - | + |
Compatibility
Information on Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core i5-7640X 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 (Uniprocessor) |
| Socket | no data | FCLGA2066 |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 150 Watt | 112 Watt |
Technologies and extensions
Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core i5-7640X. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.
| Instruction set extensions | no data | Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2 |
| AES-NI | + | + |
| AVX | + | + |
| Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST) | + | + |
| Turbo Boost Technology | no data | 2.0 |
| TSX | - | + |
Virtualization technologies
Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core i5-7640X are enumerated here.
| VT-d | no data | + |
| VT-x | no data | + |
Memory specs
Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core i5-7640X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.
| Supported memory types | no data | DDR4-2666 |
| Maximum memory size | 64 GB | 64 GB |
| Max memory channels | no data | 2 |
| Maximum memory bandwidth | no data | 42.671 GB/s |
Graphics specifications
General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.
| Integrated graphics card | no data | HD 630 |
Peripherals
Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core i5-7640X.
| PCIe version | 2.00 | 3.0 |
| PCI Express lanes | 40 | 16 |
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 5.92 | 4.51 |
| Recency | 12 November 2012 | 30 May 2017 |
| Physical cores | 6 | 4 |
| Threads | 12 | 4 |
| Chip lithography | 32 nm | 14 nm |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 150 Watt | 112 Watt |
i7-3970X Extreme Edition has a 31.3% higher aggregate performance score, and 50% more physical cores and 200% more threads.
i5-7640X, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 4 years, a 128.6% more advanced lithography process, and 33.9% lower power consumption.
The Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i5-7640X in performance tests.
Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core i5-7640X, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.
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