Intel Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition: specs and benchmarks

Summary

Intel started Intel Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition sales 12 November 2012. This is Sandy Bridge architecture desktop processor primarily aimed at office systems. It has 6 cores and 12 threads, and is based on 32 nm manufacturing technology, with a maximum frequency of 3500 MHz - 4000 MHz (1 core)4000 MHz (2 cores)3800 MHz (3 cores)3800 MHz (4 cores)3700 MHz (5 cores)3700 MHz (6 cores) and a locked multiplier.

Compatibility-wise, this is processor with a TDP of 150 Watt.

General info

Of Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and pricing.

Place in performance rating	593
Value for money	2.10
Market segment	Desktop processor
Series	Intel Core i7EE
Architecture codename	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Release date	12 November 2012 (9 years ago)
Price now	$690	of 14999 (Xeon Platinum 9282)

Technical specs

Basic microprocessor parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters can generally indicate CPU performance, but to be more precise you have to review its test results.

Physical cores	6 (Hexa-Core)
Threads	12
Boost clock speed	3.5 GHz	of 5.5 (Core i9-12900KS)
Bus support	5 GT/s
L2 cache	1,536 KB	of 12288 (Core 2 Quad Q9550)
L3 cache	15 MB	of 32 (Ryzen Threadripper 1998)
Chip lithography	32 nm	of 5 (Apple M1)
64 bit support	+
Windows 11 compatibility	-
Unlocked multiplier	-

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition compatibility with other computer components and devices: 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)	of 8 (Opteron 842)
Thermal design power (TDP)	150 Watt	of 400 (Xeon Platinum 9282)

Technologies and extensions

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

AES-NI	+
AVX	+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel number of RAM supported by Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition's memory controller. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequency may be supported.

Maximum memory size

64 GB

of 786 (Xeon E5-2670 v3)

Peripherals

Specifications and connection types of supported peripherals.

PCIe version	2.00	of 3 (Core i7-7700K)
PCI Express lanes	40	of 128 (EPYC 7551P)

Benchmark performance

Single-core and multi-core benchmark results of Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition. Overall benchmark performance is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.

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Overall 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.

Relative perfomance

Overall Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition performance compared to nearest competitors among desktop CPUs.

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