i7-3970X Extreme Edition vs i9-7980XE
Aggregate performance score
Core i9-7980XE outperforms Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition by a whopping 226% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Primary details
Comparing Core i9-7980XE and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in the ranking | 310 | 1117 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Cost-effectiveness evaluation | 2.89 | no data |
| Market segment | Desktop processor | Desktop processor |
| Series | Intel Core i9 | Intel Core i7EE |
| Power efficiency | 10.86 | 3.67 |
| Architecture codename | Skylake (server) (2017−2018) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| Release date | 1 September 2017 (7 years ago) | 12 November 2012 (12 years ago) |
| Launch price (MSRP) | $1,999 | no data |
Cost-effectiveness evaluation
Performance per price, higher is better.
Detailed specifications
Core i9-7980XE 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 cores | 18 (Octadeca-Core) | 6 (Hexa-Core) |
| Threads | 36 | 12 |
| Base clock speed | 2.6 GHz | no data |
| Boost clock speed | 4.4 GHz | 3.5 GHz |
| Bus type | DMI 3.0 | DMI 2.0 |
| Bus rate | 4 × 8 GT/s | 5 GT/s |
| Multiplier | no data | 35 |
| L1 cache | 64 KB (per core) | no data |
| L2 cache | 1 MB (per core) | 1,536 KB |
| L3 cache | 24.75 MB (shared) | 15 MB |
| Chip lithography | 14 nm | 32 nm |
| Die size | 484 mm2 | no data |
| Maximum core temperature | 94 °C | no data |
| 64 bit support | + | + |
| Windows 11 compatibility | + | - |
| Unlocked multiplier | + | - |
Compatibility
Information on Core i9-7980XE 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 configuration | 1 (Uniprocessor) | 1 (Uniprocessor) |
| Socket | FCLGA2066 | no data |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 165 Watt | 150 Watt |
Technologies and extensions
Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-7980XE and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.
| Instruction set extensions | Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512 | no data |
| AES-NI | + | + |
| AVX | + | + |
| Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST) | + | + |
| Turbo Boost Technology | 2.0 | no data |
| Hyper-Threading Technology | + | no data |
| TSX | + | - |
| Turbo Boost Max 3.0 | + | no data |
Security technologies
Core i9-7980XE and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.
| EDB | + | no data |
Virtualization technologies
Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-7980XE and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition are enumerated here.
| VT-d | + | no data |
| VT-x | + | no data |
Memory specs
Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i9-7980XE and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.
| Supported memory types | DDR4-2666 | no data |
| Maximum memory size | 128 GB | 64 GB |
| Max memory channels | 4 | no data |
| Maximum memory bandwidth | 85.33 GB/s | no data |
Graphics specifications
General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.
| Integrated graphics card | N/A | no data |
Peripherals
Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-7980XE and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition.
| PCIe version | 3.0 | 2.00 |
| PCI Express lanes | 44 | 40 |
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 18.93 | 5.81 |
| Recency | 1 September 2017 | 12 November 2012 |
| Physical cores | 18 | 6 |
| Threads | 36 | 12 |
| Chip lithography | 14 nm | 32 nm |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 165 Watt | 150 Watt |
i9-7980XE has a 225.8% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 4 years, 200% more physical cores and 200% more threads, and a 128.6% more advanced lithography process.
i7-3970X Extreme Edition, on the other hand, has 10% lower power consumption.
The Core i9-7980XE 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 i9-7980XE and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.
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