i5-12600 vs i7-3970X

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-3970X
2012
6 cores / 12 threads, 150 Watt
5.46
Core i5-12600
2022
6 cores / 12 threads, 65 Watt
13.79
+153%

Core i5-12600 outperforms Core i7-3970X by a whopping 153% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-3970X and Core i5-12600 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking1164547
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.55no data
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Power efficiency3.3819.70
Architecture codenameSandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)Alder Lake-S (2022)
Release date1 November 2012 (12 years ago)January 2022 (2 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$593no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i7-3970X and Core i5-12600 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)6 (Hexa-Core)
Threads1212
Base clock speed3.5 GHz3.3 GHz
Boost clock speed4 GHz4.8 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/sno data
L1 cache64 KB (per core)80K (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)1.25 MB (per core)
L3 cache15 MB (shared)18 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nmIntel 7 nm
Die size435 mm2163 mm2
Maximum core temperatureno data100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)70 °Cno data
Number of transistors2,270 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-+
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-3970X and Core i5-12600 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
SocketFCLGA2011FCLGA1700
Power consumption (TDP)150 Watt65 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3970X and Core i5-12600. 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)++
Speed Shiftno data+
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX-+
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
SIPP-+
Smart Response+no data
Demand Based Switching-no data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0no data-
Deep Learning Boost-+

Security technologies

Core i7-3970X and Core i5-12600 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT-+
EDB++
Secure Keyno data+
Identity Protection+-
OS Guardno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-3970X and Core i5-12600 are enumerated here.

VT-d++
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-3970X and Core i5-12600. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Maximum memory size64.45 GB128 GB
Max memory channels42
Maximum memory bandwidth51.2 GB/s76.8 GB/s
ECC memory support-+

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataIntel UHD Graphics 770
Quick Sync Video-+
Clear Video HDno data+
Graphics max frequencyno data1.45 GHz
Execution Unitsno data32

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-3970X and Core i5-12600 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data4

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i7-3970X and Core i5-12600 integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

Max resolution over HDMI 1.4no data4096 x 2160 @ 60Hz
Max resolution over eDPno data5120 x 3200 @ 120Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPortno data7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i7-3970X and Core i5-12600 integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectXno data12
OpenGLno data4.5

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3970X and Core i5-12600.

PCIe version2.05.0 and 4.0
PCI Express lanes4020

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 5.46
i5-12600 13.79
+153%

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
i5-12600 21495
+152%

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 736
i5-12600 2373
+222%

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 3709
i5-12600 9684
+161%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 5.46 13.79
Power consumption (TDP) 150 Watt 65 Watt

i5-12600 has a 152.6% higher aggregate performance score, and 130.8% lower power consumption.

The Core i5-12600 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-3970X in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-3970X and Core i5-12600, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-3970X
Core i7-3970X
Intel Core i5-12600
Core i5-12600

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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