Core 2 Extreme QX9770 vs Core i7-3970X
Aggregate performance score
Core i7-3970X outperforms Core 2 Extreme QX9770 by an impressive 85% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
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 | 1156 | 1650 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Cost-effectiveness evaluation | 0.59 | no data |
| Market segment | Desktop processor | Desktop processor |
| Power efficiency | 3.39 | 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.
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.
Passmark
Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 5.58 | 3.01 |
| Physical cores | 6 | 4 |
| Threads | 12 | 4 |
| Chip lithography | 32 nm | 45 nm |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 150 Watt | 136 Watt |
i7-3970X has a 85.4% higher aggregate performance score, 50% more physical cores and 200% more threads, and a 40.6% more advanced lithography process.
Core 2 Extreme QX9770, on the other hand, has 10.3% lower power consumption.
The Core i7-3970X is our recommended choice as it beats the Core 2 Extreme QX9770 in performance tests.
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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