i7-13700KF vs i7-3970X

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-3970X and Core i7-13700KF processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking	1159	147
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	0.57	65.57
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Series	no data	Intel Core i7
Power efficiency	3.39	10.97
Architecture codename	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)	Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022)
Release date	1 November 2012 (12 years ago)	27 September 2022 (2 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$593	$384

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i7-13700KF has 11404% better value for money than i7-3970X.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-3970X and Core i7-13700KF 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)	16 (Hexadeca-Core)
Threads	12	24
Base clock speed	3.5 GHz	3.4 GHz
Boost clock speed	4 GHz	5.4 GHz
Bus rate	5 GT/s	4 × 16 GT/s
Multiplier	no data	34
L1 cache	64 KB (per core)	768 KB
L2 cache	256 KB (per core)	8 MB
L3 cache	15 MB (shared)	6 MB
Chip lithography	32 nm	Intel 7 nm
Die size	435 mm2	257 mm2
Maximum core temperature	no data	100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	70 °C	72 °C
Number of transistors	2,270 million	no data
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	-	+
Unlocked multiplier	+	+

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-3970X and Core i7-13700KF 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	1
Socket	FCLGA2011	FCLGA1700
Power consumption (TDP)	150 Watt	125 W, 253 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3970X and Core i7-13700KF. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions	Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI	+	+
AVX	+	+
vPro	no data	+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
Speed Shift	no data	+
Turbo Boost Technology	2.0	2.0
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	+
Idle States	+	+
Thermal Monitoring	+	+
Smart Response	+	no data
Demand Based Switching	-	no data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0	no data	+
Deep Learning Boost	-	+

Security technologies

Core i7-3970X and Core i7-13700KF technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT	-	no data
EDB	+	+
Secure Key	no data	+
Identity Protection	+	-
OS Guard	no data	+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-3970X and Core i7-13700KF are enumerated here.

VT-d	+	+
VT-x	+	+
EPT	+	+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-3970X and Core i7-13700KF. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR3	DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200
Maximum memory size	64.45 GB	192 GB
Max memory channels	4	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	51.2 GB/s	89.604 GB/s

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3970X and Core i7-13700KF.

PCIe version	2.0	5.0 and 4.0
PCI Express lanes	40	20

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.

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Combined synthetic benchmark 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.

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Pros & cons summary

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Performance score	5.58	30.44
Recency	1 November 2012	27 September 2022
Physical cores	6	16
Threads	12	24
Power consumption (TDP)	150 Watt	125 Watt

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Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-3970X and Core i7-13700KF, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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