i7-2960XM Extreme vs i7-3970X Extreme Edition
Primary details
Comparing Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core i7-2960XM Extreme processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in the ranking | 1111 | not rated |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Market segment | Desktop processor | Laptop |
| Series | Intel Core i7EE | Intel Core i7EE |
| Power efficiency | 3.67 | no data |
| Architecture codename | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| Release date | 12 November 2012 (11 years ago) | 4 September 2011 (13 years ago) |
| Launch price (MSRP) | no data | $1,096 |
Detailed specifications
Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core i7-2960XM Extreme 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 | 6 (Hexa-Core) | 4 (Quad-Core) |
| Threads | 12 | 8 |
| Boost clock speed | 3.5 GHz | 2.7 GHz |
| Bus type | DMI 2.0 | DMI 2.0 |
| Bus rate | 5 GT/s | 4 × 5 GT/s |
| Multiplier | 35 | 27 |
| L1 cache | no data | 256 KB |
| L2 cache | 1,536 KB | 1 MB |
| L3 cache | 15 MB | 8 MB |
| Chip lithography | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Die size | no data | 216 mm2 |
| Number of transistors | no data | 1160 Million |
| 64 bit support | + | + |
| Windows 11 compatibility | - | - |
Compatibility
Information on Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core i7-2960XM Extreme 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 | no data | Socket G2 |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 150 Watt | 55 Watt |
Technologies and extensions
Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core i7-2960XM Extreme. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.
| AES-NI | + | + |
| FMA | - | + |
| AVX | + | + |
| vPro | no data | + |
| Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST) | + | + |
Security technologies
Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core i7-2960XM Extreme technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.
| TXT | no data | + |
Virtualization technologies
Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core i7-2960XM Extreme are enumerated here.
| VT-d | no data | + |
| VT-x | no data | + |
Memory specs
Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core i7-2960XM Extreme. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.
| Supported memory types | no data | DDR3-1600 |
| Maximum memory size | 64 GB | 32 GB |
| Max memory channels | no data | 2 |
| Maximum memory bandwidth | no data | 25.598 GB/s |
Graphics specifications
General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.
| Integrated graphics card | no data | Intel HD Graphics 3000 |
Peripherals
Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core i7-2960XM Extreme.
| PCIe version | 2.00 | no data |
| PCI Express lanes | 40 | no data |
Pros & cons summary
| Recency | 12 November 2012 | 4 September 2011 |
| Physical cores | 6 | 4 |
| Threads | 12 | 8 |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 150 Watt | 55 Watt |
i7-3970X Extreme Edition has an age advantage of 1 year, and 50% more physical cores and 50% more threads.
i7-2960XM Extreme, on the other hand, has 172.7% lower power consumption.
We couldn't decide between Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core i7-2960XM Extreme. We've got no test results to judge.
Note that Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition is a desktop processor while Core i7-2960XM Extreme is a notebook one.
Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Core i7-2960XM Extreme, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.
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