i7-3970X Extreme Edition vs Xeon E5-2689

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Aggregate performance score

Xeon E5-2689
2012
8 cores / 16 threads, 115 Watt
6.25
+7.6%
Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition
2012
6 cores / 12 threads, 150 Watt
5.81

Xeon E5-2689 outperforms Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition by a small 8% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Xeon E5-2689 and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking10831129
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Market segmentServerDesktop processor
SeriesXeonIntel Core i7EE
Power efficiency5.143.66
Architecture codenameSandy Bridge-EP (2012)Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Release date6 March 2012 (12 years ago)12 November 2012 (12 years ago)

Detailed specifications

Xeon E5-2689 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 cores8 (Octa-Core)6 (Hexa-Core)
Threads1612
Base clock speed2.6 GHzno data
Boost clock speed3.6 GHz3.5 GHz
Bus typeno dataDMI 2.0
Bus rateno data5 GT/s
Multiplierno data35
L1 cache64 KB (per core)no data
L2 cache256 KB (per core)1,536 KB
L3 cache20 MB (shared)15 MB
Chip lithography32 nm32 nm
Die size435 mm2no data
Number of transistors2,270 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--

Compatibility

Information on Xeon E5-2689 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 configuration21 (Uniprocessor)
Socket2011no data
Power consumption (TDP)115 Watt150 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Xeon E5-2689 and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++

Security technologies

Xeon E5-2689 and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Xeon E5-2689 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 Xeon E5-2689 and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3no data
Maximum memory sizeno data64 GB

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardN/Ano data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Xeon E5-2689 and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition.

PCIe version3.02.00
PCI Express lanes4040

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 6.25 5.81
Recency 6 March 2012 12 November 2012
Physical cores 8 6
Threads 16 12
Power consumption (TDP) 115 Watt 150 Watt

Xeon E5-2689 has a 7.6% higher aggregate performance score, 33.3% more physical cores and 33.3% more threads, and 30.4% lower power consumption.

i7-3970X Extreme Edition, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 8 months.

Given the minimal performance differences, no clear winner can be declared between Xeon E5-2689 and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition.

Be aware that Xeon E5-2689 is a server/workstation processor while Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition is a desktop one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Xeon E5-2689 and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Xeon E5-2689
Xeon E5-2689
Intel Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition
Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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