Core 2 Extreme QX9770 vs Core i7-3970X

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-3970X and Core 2 Extreme QX9770 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking	1166	1658
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	0.58	no data
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Power efficiency	3.38	2.02
Architecture codename	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)	Yorkfield (2007−2009)
Release date	1 November 2012 (12 years ago)	March 2008 (16 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$593	no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-3970X and Core 2 Extreme QX9770 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	3.5 GHz	3.2 GHz
Boost clock speed	4 GHz	3.2 GHz
Bus rate	5 GT/s	1600 MHz
L1 cache	64 KB (per core)	64K (per core)
L2 cache	256 KB (per core)	12 MB (shared)
L3 cache	15 MB (shared)	0 KB
Chip lithography	32 nm	45 nm
Die size	435 mm2	2x 107 mm2
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	70 °C	55 °C
Number of transistors	2,270 million	820 million
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	-	-
Unlocked multiplier	+	+
VID voltage range	no data	0.85V-1.3625V

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-3970X and Core 2 Extreme QX9770 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	1
Socket	FCLGA2011	LGA775
Power consumption (TDP)	150 Watt	136 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3970X and Core 2 Extreme QX9770. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions	Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX	no data
AES-NI	+	-
AVX	+	-
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
Turbo Boost Technology	2.0	-
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	-
Idle States	+	+
Thermal Monitoring	+	+
Smart Response	+	no data
Demand Based Switching	-	-
FSB parity	no data	-

Security technologies

Core i7-3970X and Core 2 Extreme QX9770 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT	-	-
EDB	+	+
Identity Protection	+	-

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-3970X and Core 2 Extreme QX9770 are enumerated here.

VT-d	+	no data
VT-x	+	+
EPT	+	no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-3970X and Core 2 Extreme QX9770. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR3	DDR1, DDR2, DDR3
Maximum memory size	64.45 GB	no data
Max memory channels	4	no data
Maximum memory bandwidth	51.2 GB/s	no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3970X and Core 2 Extreme QX9770.

PCIe version	2.0	no data
PCI Express lanes	40	no 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.

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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.

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Pros & cons summary

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Performance score	5.36	2.90
Physical cores	6	4
Threads	12	4
Chip lithography	32 nm	45 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	150 Watt	136 Watt

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Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-3970X and Core 2 Extreme QX9770, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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