i7-3970X Extreme Edition vs i7-6900K

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Aggregate performance score

Core i7-6900K
2016
8 cores / 16 threads, 140 Watt
9.11
+56.8%
Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition
2012
6 cores / 12 threads, 150 Watt
5.81

Core i7-6900K outperforms Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition by an impressive 57% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-6900K and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking8421129
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation1.04no data
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Seriesno dataIntel Core i7EE
Power efficiency6.153.66
Architecture codenameBroadwell-E (2016)Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Release date31 May 2016 (8 years ago)12 November 2012 (12 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,020no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i7-6900K and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition 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 cores8 (Octa-Core)6 (Hexa-Core)
Threads1612
Base clock speed3.2 GHzno data
Boost clock speed4 GHz3.5 GHz
Bus typeno dataDMI 2.0
Bus rateno data5 GT/s
Multiplierno data35
L1 cache32 KB (per core)no data
L2 cache256 KB (per core)1,536 KB
L3 cache20 MB (shared)15 MB
Chip lithography14 nm32 nm
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °Cno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-6900K and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition 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)
SocketFCLGA2011no data
Power consumption (TDP)140 Watt150 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-6900K and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology2.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology+no data
Idle States+no data
Smart Response+no data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0+no data

Security technologies

Core i7-6900K and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+no data
EDB+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-6900K and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-6900K and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4no data
Maximum memory size128 GB64 GB
Max memory channels4no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-6900K and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition.

PCIe version3.02.00
PCI Express lanes4040

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.

i7-6900K 9.11
+56.8%
i7-3970X Extreme Edition 5.81

3DMark Fire Strike Physics

i7-6900K 16860
+30.7%
i7-3970X Extreme Edition 12900

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 9.11 5.81
Recency 31 May 2016 12 November 2012
Physical cores 8 6
Threads 16 12
Chip lithography 14 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 140 Watt 150 Watt

i7-6900K has a 56.8% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 3 years, 33.3% more physical cores and 33.3% more threads, a 128.6% more advanced lithography process, and 7.1% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-6900K is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-6900K and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-6900K
Core i7-6900K
Intel Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition
Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition

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Community ratings

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


3.7 114 votes

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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i7-6900K or Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.