Xeon w5-3435X vs i7-3970X

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-3970X
2012
6 cores / 12 threads, 150 Watt
5.36
Xeon w5-3435X
2023
16 cores / 32 threads, 270 Watt
29.15
+444%

Xeon w5-3435X outperforms Core i7-3970X by a whopping 444% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-3970X and Xeon w5-3435X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking1164151
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.5554.08
Market segmentDesktop processorServer
Power efficiency3.3810.22
Architecture codenameSandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)
Release date1 November 2012 (12 years ago)15 February 2023 (1 year ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$593$1,589

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Xeon w5-3435X has 9733% better value for money than i7-3970X.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-3970X and Xeon w5-3435X 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)16 (Hexadeca-Core)
Threads1232
Base clock speed3.5 GHz3.1 GHz
Boost clock speed4 GHz4.7 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/sno data
L1 cache64 KB (per core)80 KB (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)2 MB (per core)
L3 cache15 MB (shared)45 MB
Chip lithography32 nmIntel 7 nm
Die size435 mm24x 477 mm2
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 Xeon w5-3435X 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
SocketFCLGA2011FCLGA4677
Power consumption (TDP)150 Watt270 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3970X and Xeon w5-3435X. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVXIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® AMX, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512
AES-NI++
AVX++
vProno data+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Speed Shiftno data+
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX-+
Idle States+no data
Thermal Monitoring+-
Smart Response+no data
Demand Based Switching-no data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0no data+
Deep Learning Boost-+

Security technologies

Core i7-3970X and Xeon w5-3435X technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT-+
EDB++
Identity Protection+-
SGXno data-
OS Guardno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-3970X and Xeon w5-3435X are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-3970X and Xeon w5-3435X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR5-4800
Maximum memory size64.45 GB4 TB
Max memory channels48
Maximum memory bandwidth51.2 GB/sno data
ECC memory support-+

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataN/A

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3970X and Xeon w5-3435X.

PCIe version2.05.0
PCI Express lanes40112

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
Xeon w5-3435X 29.15
+444%

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
Xeon w5-3435X 46306
+444%

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
Xeon w5-3435X 2135
+193%

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
Xeon w5-3435X 16075
+336%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 5.36 29.15
Recency 1 November 2012 15 February 2023
Physical cores 6 16
Threads 12 32
Power consumption (TDP) 150 Watt 270 Watt

i7-3970X has 80% lower power consumption.

Xeon w5-3435X, on the other hand, has a 443.8% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 10 years, and 166.7% more physical cores and 166.7% more threads.

The Xeon w5-3435X is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-3970X in performance tests.

Note that Core i7-3970X is a desktop processor while Xeon w5-3435X is a server/workstation one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-3970X and Xeon w5-3435X, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Core i7-3970X
Core i7-3970X
Intel Xeon w5-3435X
Xeon w5-3435X

Similar processor comparisons

We picked several similar comparisons of processors in the same market segment and performance relatively close to those reviewed on this page.

Community ratings

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


3.8 30 votes

Rate Core i7-3970X on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
3.5 8 votes

Rate Xeon w5-3435X on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i7-3970X or Xeon w5-3435X, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.