Ultra 9 285K vs i7-3970X Extreme Edition

#ad 
Buy on Amazon
VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition
2012
6 cores / 12 threads, 150 Watt
5.81
Core Ultra 9 285K
2024
24 cores / 24 threads, 125 Watt
43.30
+645%

Core Ultra 9 285K outperforms Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition by a whopping 645% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core Ultra 9 285K processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking111750
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluationno data70.87
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i7EEno data
Power efficiency3.6732.78
Architecture codenameSandy Bridge (2011−2013)Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025)
Release date12 November 2012 (12 years ago)24 October 2024 (less than a year ago)
Launch price (MSRP)no data$589

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core Ultra 9 285K 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 cores6 (Hexa-Core)24 (Tetracosa-Core)
Threads1224
Base clock speedno data3.7 GHz
Boost clock speed3.5 GHz5.7 GHz
Bus typeDMI 2.0no data
Bus rate5 GT/s250 MHz
Multiplier35no data
L1 cacheno data112 KB (per core)
L2 cache1,536 KB3 MB (per core)
L3 cache15 MB36 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nm3 nm
Die sizeno data243 mm2
Number of transistorsno data17,800 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-no data
Unlocked multiplier-+

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core Ultra 9 285K 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
Socketno data1851
Power consumption (TDP)150 Watt125 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core Ultra 9 285K. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

AES-NI++
AVX++
vProno data+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
TSX-+

Security technologies

Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core Ultra 9 285K technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXTno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core Ultra 9 285K are enumerated here.

VT-dno data+
VT-xno data+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core Ultra 9 285K. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesno dataDDR5 Depends on motherboard
Maximum memory size64 GBno data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataArc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core Ultra 9 285K.

PCIe version2.005.0
PCI Express lanes4020

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 5.81 43.30
Recency 12 November 2012 24 October 2024
Physical cores 6 24
Threads 12 24
Chip lithography 32 nm 3 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 150 Watt 125 Watt

Ultra 9 285K has a 645.3% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 11 years, 300% more physical cores and 100% more threads, a 966.7% more advanced lithography process, and 20% lower power consumption.

The Core Ultra 9 285K is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core Ultra 9 285K, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition
Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition
Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
Core Ultra 9 285K

Similar processor comparisons

We picked several similar comparisons of processors in the same market segment and performance relatively close to those reviewed on this page.

Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


4 28 votes

Rate Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
3.3 116 votes

Rate Core Ultra 9 285K on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition or Core Ultra 9 285K, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.