i7-3970X Extreme Edition vs Ryzen Threadripper 1950X

Aggregate performance score

Ryzen Threadripper 1950X
2017
16 cores / 32 threads, 180 Watt
17.39
+199%
Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition
2012
6 cores / 12 threads, 150 Watt
5.81

Ryzen Threadripper 1950X outperforms Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition by a whopping 199% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Ryzen Threadripper 1950X and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking3581117
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation4.88no data
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesAMD Ryzen ThreadripperIntel Core i7EE
Power efficiency9.143.67
Architecture codenameZen (2017−2020)Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Release date10 August 2017 (7 years ago)12 November 2012 (12 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$999no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Ryzen Threadripper 1950X 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 cores16 (Hexadeca-Core)6 (Hexa-Core)
Threads3212
Base clock speed3.4 GHzno data
Boost clock speed4 GHz3.5 GHz
Bus typeno dataDMI 2.0
Bus rate4 × 8 GT/s5 GT/s
Multiplier3435
L1 cache96K (per core)no data
L2 cache512K (per core)1,536 KB
L3 cache32 MB15 MB
Chip lithography14 nm32 nm
Die size213 mm2no data
Maximum core temperature68 °Cno data
Number of transistors9,600 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Ryzen Threadripper 1950X 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 configuration1 (Uniprocessor)1 (Uniprocessor)
SocketSP3r2no data
Power consumption (TDP)180 Watt150 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Ryzen Threadripper 1950X and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsSSE4.2, SSE4A, AMD-V, AES, AVX2, FMA3, SHAno data
AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)no data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Ryzen Threadripper 1950X and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition are enumerated here.

AMD-V+-

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Ryzen Threadripper 1950X and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4 Quad-channelno data
Maximum memory size2 TiB64 GB
Max memory channels4no data
Maximum memory bandwidth85.33 GB/sno data
ECC memory support+-

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Ryzen Threadripper 1950X and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition.

PCIe version3.02.00
PCI Express lanes6040

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 17.39 5.81
Recency 10 August 2017 12 November 2012
Physical cores 16 6
Threads 32 12
Chip lithography 14 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 180 Watt 150 Watt

Ryzen Threadripper 1950X has a 199.3% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 4 years, 166.7% more physical cores and 166.7% more threads, and a 128.6% more advanced lithography process.

i7-3970X Extreme Edition, on the other hand, has 20% lower power consumption.

The Ryzen Threadripper 1950X is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Ryzen Threadripper 1950X and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X
Ryzen Threadripper 1950X
Intel Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition
Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition

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