Pentium G3240 vs i7-3970X

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-3970X and Pentium G3240 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking	1164	2316
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	0.55	no data
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Power efficiency	3.38	2.19
Architecture codename	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)	no data
Release date	1 November 2012 (12 years ago)	1 April 2014 (10 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$593	no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-3970X and Pentium G3240 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)	2 (Dual-core)
Threads	12	2
Base clock speed	3.5 GHz	3.1 GHz
Boost clock speed	4 GHz	no data
Bus rate	5 GT/s	5 GT/s
L1 cache	64 KB (per core)	no data
L2 cache	256 KB (per core)	no data
L3 cache	15 MB (shared)	3 MB Intel® Smart Cache
Chip lithography	32 nm	22 nm
Die size	435 mm2	no data
Maximum core temperature	no data	72 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	70 °C	no data
Number of transistors	2,270 million	no data
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	-	-
Unlocked multiplier	+	-

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-3970X and Pentium G3240 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	FCLGA1150
Power consumption (TDP)	150 Watt	53 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3970X and Pentium G3240. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions	Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2
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	-	no data

Security technologies

Core i7-3970X and Pentium G3240 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 Pentium G3240 are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-3970X and Pentium G3240. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR3	DDR3-1333, DDR3L-1333
Maximum memory size	64.45 GB	32 GB
Max memory channels	4	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	51.2 GB/s	21.3 GB/s
ECC memory support	-	+

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card	no data	Intel® HD Graphics for 4th Generation Intel® Processors
Max video memory	no data	1.7 GB
Quick Sync Video	-	+
Clear Video HD	no data	+
Graphics max frequency	no data	1.1 GHz

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-3970X and Pentium G3240 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported	no data	3
eDP	no data	+
DisplayPort	-	+
HDMI	-	+
DVI	no data	+
VGA	no data	+

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i7-3970X and Pentium G3240 integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

Max resolution over HDMI 1.4	no data	1920x1080@60Hz
Max resolution over eDP	no data	2560x1600@60Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPort	no data	2560x1600@60Hz
Max resolution over VGA	no data	1920x1200@60Hz

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i7-3970X and Pentium G3240 integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX	no data	11.1/12
OpenGL	no data	4.3

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3970X and Pentium G3240.

PCIe version	2.0	Up to 3.0
PCI Express lanes	40	16

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	5.46	1.25
Recency	1 November 2012	1 April 2014
Physical cores	6	2
Threads	12	2
Chip lithography	32 nm	22 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	150 Watt	53 Watt

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Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-3970X and Pentium G3240, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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