Core i7-3770K vs Core i7-3970X
Aggregated performance score
Core i7-3970X outperforms Core i7-3770K by 31% based on our aggregated benchmark results.
Primary Details
Comparing Core i7-3970X and Core i7-3770K processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in performance ranking | 1064 | 1287 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Cost-Effectiveness Evaluation | 1.50 | 1.69 |
| Market segment | Desktop processor | Desktop processor |
| Series | no data | Intel Core i7 (Desktop) |
| Architecture codename | Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) |
| Release date | 1 November 2012 (11 years ago) | 29 April 2012 (12 years ago) |
| Launch price (MSRP) | $593 | $294 |
| Current price | $266 (0.4x MSRP) | $133 (0.5x MSRP) |
Cost-Effectiveness Evaluation
Performance per price, higher is better.
i7-3770K has 13% better value for money than i7-3970X.
Detailed Specifications
Core i7-3970X and Core i7-3770K 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 |
| Base clock speed | 3.5 GHz | 3.5 GHz |
| Boost clock speed | 4 GHz | 3.9 GHz |
| L1 cache | 64 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |
| L2 cache | 256 KB (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| L3 cache | 15 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |
| Chip lithography | 32 nm | 22 nm |
| Die size | 435 mm2 | 160 mm2 |
| Maximum core temperature | 67 °C | 67 °C |
| Maximum case temperature (TCase) | 70 °C | 67 °C |
| Number of transistors | 2,270 million | 1,400 million |
| 64 bit support | + | + |
| Windows 11 compatibility | - | - |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes |
Compatibility
Information on Core i7-3970X and Core i7-3770K 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 | FCLGA1155 |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 150 Watt | 77 Watt |
Technologies and extensions
Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3970X and Core i7-3770K. 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® AVX |
| AES-NI | + | + |
| AVX | + | + |
| Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST) | + | + |
| Turbo Boost Technology | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| Hyper-Threading Technology | + | + |
| TSX | no data | - |
| Idle States | + | + |
| Thermal Monitoring | + | + |
| Smart Response | + | no data |
| Demand Based Switching | - | no data |
| FDI | no data | + |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
Security technologies
Core i7-3970X and Core i7-3770K technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.
| TXT | - | - |
| EDB | + | + |
| Secure Key | no data | + |
| Identity Protection | + | + |
| Anti-Theft | no data | + |
Virtualization technologies
Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-3970X and Core i7-3770K 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 i7-3770K. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.
| Supported memory types | DDR3 | DDR3 |
| Maximum memory size | 64.45 GB | 32 GB |
| Max memory channels | 4 | 2 |
| Maximum memory bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 25.6 GB/s |
| ECC memory support | - | - |
Graphics specifications
General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.
| Integrated graphics card | no data | Intel HD Graphics 4000 |
| Quick Sync Video | no data | + |
| Clear Video HD | no data | + |
| Graphics max frequency | no data | 1.15 GHz |
| InTru 3D | no data | + |
Graphics interfaces
Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-3970X and Core i7-3770K integrated GPUs.
| Number of displays supported | no data | 3 |
Peripherals
Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3970X and Core i7-3770K.
| PCIe version | 2.0 | 3.0 |
| PCI Express lanes | 40 | no data |
Synthetic benchmark performance
Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.
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.
Core i7-3970X outperforms Core i7-3770K by 31% based on our aggregated benchmark results.
Passmark
Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.
Benchmark coverage: 68%
Core i7-3970X outperforms Core i7-3770K by 31% in Passmark.
GeekBench 5 Single-Core
GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.
Benchmark coverage: 42%
Core i7-3770K outperforms Core i7-3970X by 9% in GeekBench 5 Single-Core.
GeekBench 5 Multi-Core
GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.
Benchmark coverage: 42%
Core i7-3970X outperforms Core i7-3770K by 34% in GeekBench 5 Multi-Core.
3DMark Fire Strike Physics
Benchmark coverage: 4%
Core i7-3970X outperforms Core i7-3770K by 49% in 3DMark Fire Strike Physics.
Pros & Cons Summary
| Performance score | 5.47 | 4.18 |
| Recency | 1 November 2012 | 29 April 2012 |
| Physical cores | 6 | 4 |
| Threads | 12 | 8 |
| Cost | $593 | $294 |
| Chip lithography | 32 nm | 22 nm |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 150 Watt | 77 Watt |
The Core i7-3970X is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-3770K in performance tests.
Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-3970X and Core i7-3770K, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.
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