Ryzen 9 7950X vs i7-3970X Extreme Edition

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition
2012
6 cores / 12 threads, 150 Watt
5.83
Ryzen 9 7950X
2022
16 cores / 32 threads, 170 Watt
39.62
+580%

Ryzen 9 7950X outperforms Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition by a whopping 580% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Ryzen 9 7950X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking111566
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i7EEno data
Power efficiency3.6621.96
Architecture codenameSandy Bridge (2011−2013)Raphael (Zen 4) (2022)
Release date12 November 2012 (12 years ago)27 September 2022 (2 years ago)

Detailed specifications

Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Ryzen 9 7950X 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)16 (Hexadeca-Core)
Threads1232
Base clock speedno data4.5 GHz
Boost clock speed3.5 GHz5.7 GHz
Bus typeDMI 2.0no data
Bus rate5 GT/sno data
Multiplier35no data
L1 cacheno data64K (per core)
L2 cache1,536 KB1 MB (per core)
L3 cache15 MB64 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nm5 nm
Die sizeno dataCCD = 2x 70 sq. mm, I/O = 122 mm2
Maximum core temperatureno data95 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)no data47 °C
Number of transistorsno data13140 Million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-+
Unlocked multiplier-+

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Ryzen 9 7950X 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 Watt170 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Ryzen 9 7950X. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsno dataCCD = 5 nm, I/O = 6 nm, 0.650 - 1.475 V
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 9 7950X are enumerated here.

AMD-V-+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Ryzen 9 7950X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesno dataDDR5-5200
Maximum memory size64 GBno data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataAMD Radeon Graphics (Ryzen 7000)

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Ryzen 9 7950X.

PCIe version2.005.0
PCI Express lanes4024

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 5.83 39.62
Recency 12 November 2012 27 September 2022
Physical cores 6 16
Threads 12 32
Chip lithography 32 nm 5 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 150 Watt 170 Watt

i7-3970X Extreme Edition has 13.3% lower power consumption.

Ryzen 9 7950X, on the other hand, has a 579.6% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 9 years, 166.7% more physical cores and 166.7% more threads, and a 540% more advanced lithography process.

The Ryzen 9 7950X 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 9 7950X, 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 9 7950X
Ryzen 9 7950X

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Community ratings

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