i7-3970X Extreme Edition vs Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Primary details

Comparing Ryzen Threadripper 3990X and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking	34	1115
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	9.19	no data
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Series	AMD Ryzen Threadripper	Intel Core i7EE
Power efficiency	16.99	3.66
Architecture codename	Matisse (2019−2020)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Release date	25 November 2019 (4 years ago)	12 November 2012 (12 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$3,999	no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Detailed specifications

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X 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	64 (Tetrahexaconta-Core)	6 (Hexa-Core)
Threads	128	12
Base clock speed	2.9 GHz	no data
Boost clock speed	4.3 GHz	3.5 GHz
Bus type	no data	DMI 2.0
Bus rate	no data	5 GT/s
Multiplier	29	35
L1 cache	4 MB	no data
L2 cache	32 MB	1,536 KB
L3 cache	256 MB	15 MB
Chip lithography	7 nm, 12 nm	32 nm
Die size	74 mm2	no data
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	95 °C	no data
Number of transistors	38740 Million	no data
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	+	-
Unlocked multiplier	+	-

Compatibility

Information on Ryzen Threadripper 3990X 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	1 (Uniprocessor)
Socket	TR4	no data
Power consumption (TDP)	280 Watt	150 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3990X and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

AES-NI	+	+
AVX	+	+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	no data	+
Precision Boost 2	+	no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3990X 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 3990X and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR4-3200	no data
Maximum memory size	256 GB	64 GB
Max memory channels	4	no data
Maximum memory bandwidth	102.403 GB/s	no data
ECC memory support	+	-

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3990X and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition.

PCIe version	4.0	2.00
PCI Express lanes	no data	40

Pros & cons summary

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Performance score	50.48	5.83
Recency	25 November 2019	12 November 2012
Physical cores	64	6
Threads	128	12
Chip lithography	7 nm	32 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	280 Watt	150 Watt

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Should you still have questions on choice between Ryzen Threadripper 3990X and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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