Xeon E5-2680 vs Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition
Aggregate performance score
Xeon E5-2680 outperforms i7-3970X Extreme Edition by a minimal 2% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Primary details
Comparing Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Xeon E5-2680 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in performance ranking | 1074 | 1057 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Cost-effectiveness evaluation | no data | 2.03 |
| Market segment | Desktop processor | Workstation |
| Series | Intel Core i7EE | Xeon (Desktop) |
| Architecture codename | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) |
| Release date | 12 November 2012 (11 years ago) | 6 March 2012 (12 years ago) |
| Launch price (MSRP) | no data | $1,723 |
Cost-effectiveness evaluation
Performance per price, higher is better.
Detailed specifications
Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Xeon E5-2680 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) | 8 (Octa-Core) |
| Threads | 12 | 16 |
| Base clock speed | no data | 2.7 GHz |
| Boost clock speed | 3.5 GHz | 3.5 GHz |
| Bus support | 5 GT/s | no data |
| L1 cache | no data | 512 KB |
| L2 cache | 1,536 KB | 2 MB |
| L3 cache | 15 MB | 20 MB |
| Chip lithography | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Die size | no data | 435 mm2 |
| Maximum core temperature | no data | 85 °C |
| Number of transistors | no data | 2270 Million |
| 64 bit support | + | + |
| Windows 11 compatibility | - | - |
| Unlocked multiplier | No | No |
Compatibility
Information on Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Xeon E5-2680 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) | 2 |
| Socket | no data | LGA2011 |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 150 Watt | 130 Watt |
Technologies and extensions
Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Xeon E5-2680. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.
| AES-NI | + | + |
| AVX | + | + |
| Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST) | + | + |
| Hyper-Threading Technology | no data | + |
Security technologies
Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Xeon E5-2680 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.
| TXT | no data | + |
Memory specs
Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Xeon E5-2680. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.
| Supported memory types | no data | DDR3 |
| Maximum memory size | 64 GB | no data |
| Maximum memory bandwidth | no data | 51.2 GB/s |
| ECC memory support | no data | + |
Peripherals
Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Xeon E5-2680.
| PCIe version | 2.00 | 3.0 |
| PCI Express lanes | 40 | 40 |
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 5.97 | 6.08 |
| Recency | 12 November 2012 | 6 March 2012 |
| Physical cores | 6 | 8 |
| Threads | 12 | 16 |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 150 Watt | 130 Watt |
i7-3970X Extreme Edition has an age advantage of 8 months.
Xeon E5-2680, on the other hand, has a 1.8% higher aggregate performance score, 33.3% more physical cores and 33.3% more threads, and 15.4% lower power consumption.
Given the minimal performance differences, no clear winner can be declared between Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Xeon E5-2680.
Note that Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition is a desktop processor while Xeon E5-2680 is a server/workstation one.
Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition and Xeon E5-2680, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.
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