Ryzen 9 7950X vs i7-970

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-970
2010
6 cores / 12 threads, 130 Watt
4.12
Ryzen 9 7950X
2022
16 cores / 32 threads, 170 Watt
39.47
+858%

Ryzen 9 7950X outperforms Core i7-970 by a whopping 858% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-970 and Ryzen 9 7950X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking138966
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.28no data
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Power efficiency3.0021.97
Architecture codenameGulftown (2010−2011)Raphael (Zen 4) (2022)
Release date19 July 2010 (14 years ago)27 September 2022 (2 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$662no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i7-970 and Ryzen 9 7950X 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 speed3.2 GHz4.5 GHz
Boost clock speed3.46 GHz5.7 GHz
Bus rate4.8 GT/sno data
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64K (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)1 MB (per core)
L3 cache12 MB (shared)64 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nm5 nm
Die size239 mm2CCD = 2x 70 sq. mm, I/O = 122 mm2
Maximum core temperature68 °C95 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)no data47 °C
Number of transistors1,170 million13140 Million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-+
Unlocked multiplier-+

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-970 and Ryzen 9 7950X 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
SocketFCLGA1366AM5
Power consumption (TDP)130 Watt170 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-970 and Ryzen 9 7950X. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2CCD = 5 nm, I/O = 6 nm, 0.650 - 1.475 V
AES-NI++
AVX-+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)+no data
Turbo Boost Technology1.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology+no data
Idle States+no data
Demand Based Switching-no data
PAE36 Bitno data
Precision Boost 2no data+

Security technologies

Core i7-970 and Ryzen 9 7950X 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 i7-970 and Ryzen 9 7950X are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-970 and Ryzen 9 7950X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR5-5200
Maximum memory size24 GBno data
Max memory channels3no data
Maximum memory bandwidth25.6 GB/sno data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataAMD Radeon Graphics (Ryzen 7000)

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-970 and Ryzen 9 7950X.

PCIe version2.05.0
PCI Express lanesno data24

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.

i7-970 4.12
Ryzen 9 7950X 39.47
+858%

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.

i7-970 6546
Ryzen 9 7950X 62704
+858%

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.

i7-970 495
Ryzen 9 7950X 2985
+503%

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.

i7-970 2278
Ryzen 9 7950X 19454
+754%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 4.12 39.47
Recency 19 July 2010 27 September 2022
Physical cores 6 16
Threads 12 32
Chip lithography 32 nm 5 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 130 Watt 170 Watt

i7-970 has 30.8% lower power consumption.

Ryzen 9 7950X, on the other hand, has a 858% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 12 years, 166.7% more physical cores and 166.7% more threads, and a 540% more advanced lithography process.

The Ryzen 9 7950X is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-970 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-970 and Ryzen 9 7950X, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-970
Core i7-970
AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
Ryzen 9 7950X

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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