i7-3970X Extreme Edition vs Ryzen 5 2600X

Primary details

Comparing Ryzen 5 2600X and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking	863	1115
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	9.23	no data
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Series	AMD Ryzen 5	Intel Core i7EE
Power efficiency	8.72	3.67
Architecture codename	Zen+ (2018−2019)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Release date	13 April 2018 (6 years ago)	12 November 2012 (12 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$229	no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Detailed specifications

Ryzen 5 2600X 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	6 (Hexa-Core)	6 (Hexa-Core)
Threads	12	12
Base clock speed	3.6 GHz	no data
Boost clock speed	4.2 GHz	3.5 GHz
Bus type	no data	DMI 2.0
Bus rate	4 × 8 GT/s	5 GT/s
Multiplier	36	35
L1 cache	576 KB	no data
L2 cache	3 MB	1,536 KB
L3 cache	16 MB (shared)	15 MB
Chip lithography	12 nm	32 nm
Die size	213 mm2	no data
Number of transistors	4800 Million	no data
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	+	-
Unlocked multiplier	+	-

Compatibility

Information on Ryzen 5 2600X 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	AM4	no data
Power consumption (TDP)	95 Watt	150 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Ryzen 5 2600X and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions	SSE4.2, SSE4A, AMD-V, AES, AVX2, FMA3, SHA	no data
AES-NI	+	+
AVX	+	+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	no data	+
Precision Boost 2	+	no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Ryzen 5 2600X and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition are enumerated here.

AMD-V

+

-

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Ryzen 5 2600X and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR4 Dual-channel	no data
Maximum memory size	64 GB	64 GB
Max memory channels	2	no data
Maximum memory bandwidth	46.933 GB/s	no data
ECC memory support	+	-

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Ryzen 5 2600X and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition.

PCIe version	3.0	2.00
PCI Express lanes	20	40

Pros & cons summary

---

Performance score	8.92	5.92
Recency	13 April 2018	12 November 2012
Chip lithography	12 nm	32 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	95 Watt	150 Watt

---

Should you still have questions on choice between Ryzen 5 2600X and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition, 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.

---