Ryzen 7 9700X vs i7-3970X Extreme Edition

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition
2012
6 cores / 12 threads, 150 Watt
5.81
Ryzen 7 9700X
2024
8 cores / 16 threads, 65 Watt
23.47
+304%

Ryzen 7 9700X outperforms Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition by a whopping 304% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Ryzen 7 9700X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking1117217
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluationno data50.86
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i7EEno data
Power efficiency3.6734.17
Architecture codenameSandy Bridge (2011−2013)Granite Ridge (2024)
Release date12 November 2012 (12 years ago)8 August 2024 (less than a year ago)
Launch price (MSRP)no data$359

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Ryzen 7 9700X 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)8 (Octa-Core)
Threads1216
Base clock speedno data3.8 GHz
Boost clock speed3.5 GHz5.5 GHz
Bus typeDMI 2.0no data
Bus rate5 GT/sno data
Multiplier35no data
L1 cacheno data80 KB (per core)
L2 cache1,536 KB1 MB (per core)
L3 cache15 MB32 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nm4 nm
Die sizeno data70.6 mm2
Maximum core temperatureno data95 °C
Number of transistorsno data8,315 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-no data
Unlocked multiplier-+

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Ryzen 7 9700X 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 dataAM5
Power consumption (TDP)150 Watt65 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Ryzen 7 9700X. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsno dataSMT, AES, AVX, AVX2, AVX512, FMA3, MMX (+), SHA, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, SSE4A
AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)+no data
Precision Boost 2no data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Ryzen 7 9700X are enumerated here.

AMD-V-+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Ryzen 7 9700X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesno dataDDR5
Maximum memory size64 GBno data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataAMD Radeon Graphics

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Ryzen 7 9700X.

PCIe version2.005.0
PCI Express lanes4024

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 5.81 23.47
Recency 12 November 2012 8 August 2024
Physical cores 6 8
Threads 12 16
Chip lithography 32 nm 4 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 150 Watt 65 Watt

Ryzen 7 9700X has a 304% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 11 years, 33.3% more physical cores and 33.3% more threads, a 700% more advanced lithography process, and 130.8% lower power consumption.

The Ryzen 7 9700X 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 Ryzen 7 9700X, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition
Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition
AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
Ryzen 7 9700X

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Community ratings

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