Ryzen 7 2700X vs i7-3970X

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Aggregate performance score

Core i7-3970X
2012
6 cores / 12 threads, 150 Watt
5.36
Ryzen 7 2700X
2018
8 cores / 16 threads, 105 Watt
11.02
+106%

Ryzen 7 2700X outperforms Core i7-3970X by a whopping 106% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-3970X and Ryzen 7 2700X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking1176709
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.629.32
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Seriesno dataAMD Ryzen 7
Power efficiency3.389.93
Architecture codenameSandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)Zen+ (2018−2019)
Release date1 November 2012 (12 years ago)19 April 2018 (6 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$593$329

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Ryzen 7 2700X has 1403% better value for money than i7-3970X.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-3970X and Ryzen 7 2700X 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)8 (Octa-Core)
Threads1216
Base clock speed3.5 GHz3.7 GHz
Boost clock speed4 GHz4.35 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/s4 × 8 GT/s
Multiplierno data37
L1 cache64 KB (per core)96K (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)512K (per core)
L3 cache15 MB (shared)16 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nm12 nm
Die size435 mm2192 mm2
Maximum case temperature (TCase)70 °Cno data
Number of transistors2,270 million4,800 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-+
Unlocked multiplier++

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-3970X and Ryzen 7 2700X 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)
SocketFCLGA2011AM4
Power consumption (TDP)150 Watt105 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3970X and Ryzen 7 2700X. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVXSSE4.2, SSE4A, AMD-V, AES, AVX2, FMA3, SHA
AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)+no data
Turbo Boost Technology2.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology+no data
Idle States+no data
Thermal Monitoring+-
Smart Response+no data
Demand Based Switching-no data
Precision Boost 2no data+

Security technologies

Core i7-3970X and Ryzen 7 2700X technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT-no data
EDB+no data
Identity Protection+-

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-3970X and Ryzen 7 2700X are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-3970X and Ryzen 7 2700X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR4 Dual-channel
Maximum memory size64.45 GB64 GB
Max memory channels42
Maximum memory bandwidth51.2 GB/s46.933 GB/s
ECC memory support-+

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3970X and Ryzen 7 2700X.

PCIe version2.03.0
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 5.36
Ryzen 7 2700X 11.02
+106%

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
Ryzen 7 2700X 17509
+106%

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
Ryzen 7 2700X 1254
+72%

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
Ryzen 7 2700X 6118
+65.9%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 5.36 11.02
Recency 1 November 2012 19 April 2018
Physical cores 6 8
Threads 12 16
Chip lithography 32 nm 12 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 150 Watt 105 Watt

Ryzen 7 2700X has a 105.6% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 5 years, 33.3% more physical cores and 33.3% more threads, a 166.7% more advanced lithography process, and 42.9% lower power consumption.

The Ryzen 7 2700X 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 Ryzen 7 2700X, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-3970X
Core i7-3970X
AMD Ryzen 7 2700X
Ryzen 7 2700X

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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

Here you can ask a question about Core i7-3970X or Ryzen 7 2700X, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.