i7-6700K vs Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

Primary details

Comparing Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Core i7-6700K processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking	65	1137
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	15.56	1.12
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Series	AMD Ryzen Threadripper	Intel Core i7 (Desktop)
Power efficiency	13.43	5.84
Architecture codename	Matisse (2019−2020)	Skylake (2015−2016)
Release date	25 November 2019 (5 years ago)	5 August 2015 (9 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$1,999	$339

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X has 1289% better value for money than i7-6700K.

Detailed specifications

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Core i7-6700K 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	32 (Dotriaconta-Core)	4 (Quad-Core)
Threads	64	8
Base clock speed	3.7 GHz	4 GHz
Boost clock speed	4.5 GHz	4.2 GHz
Bus type	no data	DMI 3.0
Bus rate	8 × 16 GT/s	4 × 8 GT/s
Multiplier	37	40
L1 cache	96K (per core)	64 KB (per core)
L2 cache	512K (per core)	256 KB (per core)
L3 cache	128 MB	8 MB (shared)
Chip lithography	7 nm, 12 nm	14 nm
Die size	no data	122 mm2
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	no data	64 °C
Number of transistors	19,200 million	1750 Million
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	+	-
Unlocked multiplier	+	+

Compatibility

Information on Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Core i7-6700K 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	TR4	FCLGA1151
Power consumption (TDP)	280 Watt	91 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Core i7-6700K. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions	no data	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI	+	+
AVX	+	+
vPro	no data	+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	no data	+
Turbo Boost Technology	no data	2.0
Hyper-Threading Technology	no data	+
TSX	-	+
Idle States	no data	+
Thermal Monitoring	-	+
Precision Boost 2	+	no data

Security technologies

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Core i7-6700K technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT	no data	-
EDB	no data	+
Secure Key	no data	+
MPX	-	+
Identity Protection	-	+
SGX	no data	Yes with Intel® ME
OS Guard	no data	+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Core i7-6700K are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Core i7-6700K. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR4 Eight-channel	DDR3, DDR4
Maximum memory size	256 GB	64 GB
Max memory channels	4	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	102.403 GB/s	34.134 GB/s
ECC memory support	+	-

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card	-	Intel HD Graphics 530
Max video memory	-	64 GB
Quick Sync Video	-	+
Clear Video	-	+
Clear Video HD	-	+
Graphics max frequency	-	1.15 GHz
InTru 3D	-	+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Core i7-6700K integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported	-	3
eDP	-	+
DisplayPort	-	+
HDMI	-	+
DVI	-	+

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Core i7-6700K integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

4K resolution support	-	+
Max resolution over HDMI 1.4	-	4096x2304@24Hz
Max resolution over eDP	-	4096x2304@60Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPort	-	4096x2304@60Hz
Max resolution over VGA	-	N/A

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Core i7-6700K integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX	-	12
OpenGL	-	4.5

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Core i7-6700K.

PCIe version	no data	3.0
PCI Express lanes	no data	16

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.

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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.

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Pros & cons summary

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Performance score	39.73	5.62
Recency	25 November 2019	5 August 2015
Physical cores	32	4
Threads	64	8
Chip lithography	7 nm	14 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	280 Watt	91 Watt

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Should you still have questions on choice between Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Core i7-6700K, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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