i3-9100F vs i7-3970X

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Aggregate performance score

Core i7-3970X
2012
6 cores / 12 threads, 150 Watt
5.36
+26.4%
Core i3-9100F
2019
4 cores / 4 threads, 65 Watt
4.24

Core i7-3970X outperforms Core i3-9100F by a significant 26% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-3970X and Core i3-9100F processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking11761384
Place by popularitynot in top-10037
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.6210.25
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Seriesno dataIntel Core i3
Power efficiency3.386.17
Architecture codenameSandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
Release date1 November 2012 (12 years ago)23 April 2019 (5 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$593$122

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i3-9100F has 1553% better value for money than i7-3970X.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-3970X and Core i3-9100F 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)4 (Quad-Core)
Threads124
Base clock speed3.5 GHz3.6 GHz
Boost clock speed4 GHz4.2 GHz
Bus typeno dataDMI 3.0
Bus rate5 GT/s4 × 8 GT/s
Multiplierno data36
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64K (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)256K (per core)
L3 cache15 MB (shared)6 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nm14 nm
Die size435 mm2126 mm2
Maximum core temperatureno data100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)70 °C72 °C
Number of transistors2,270 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-+
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-3970X and Core i3-9100F 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 configuration11 (Uniprocessor)
SocketFCLGA2011FCLGA1151
Power consumption (TDP)150 Watt65 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3970X and Core i3-9100F. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVXIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology+-
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
Smart Response+no data
Demand Based Switching-no data

Security technologies

Core i7-3970X and Core i3-9100F technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT--
EDB++
Secure Keyno data+
MPX-+
Identity Protection++
SGXno dataYes with Intel® ME
OS Guardno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-3970X and Core i3-9100F are enumerated here.

AMD-V-+
VT-d++
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-3970X and Core i3-9100F. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR4
Maximum memory size64.45 GB64 GB
Max memory channels42
Maximum memory bandwidth51.2 GB/s38.397 GB/s
ECC memory support-+

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3970X and Core i3-9100F.

PCIe version2.03.0
PCI Express lanes4016

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.

i7-3970X 5.36
+26.4%
i3-9100F 4.24

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.

i7-3970X 8516
+26.4%
i3-9100F 6735

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i7-3970X 729
i3-9100F 1398
+91.8%

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i7-3970X 3688
i3-9100F 3737
+1.3%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 5.36 4.24
Recency 1 November 2012 23 April 2019
Physical cores 6 4
Threads 12 4
Chip lithography 32 nm 14 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 150 Watt 65 Watt

i7-3970X has a 26.4% higher aggregate performance score, and 50% more physical cores and 200% more threads.

i3-9100F, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 6 years, a 128.6% more advanced lithography process, and 130.8% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-3970X is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-9100F in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-3970X and Core i3-9100F, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-3970X
Core i7-3970X
Intel Core i3-9100F
Core i3-9100F

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Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


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Questions & comments

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