i7-3960X vs i7-3970X

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-3970X
2012
6 cores / 12 threads, 150 Watt
5.36
+0.8%
Core i7-3960X
2011
6 cores / 12 threads, 130 Watt
5.32

Core i7-3970X outperforms Core i7-3960X by a minimal 1% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-3970X and Core i7-3960X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking11771182
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.620.42
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Seriesno dataCore i7 (Desktop)
Power efficiency3.383.87
Architecture codenameSandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)
Release date1 November 2012 (12 years ago)14 November 2011 (13 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$593$861

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i7-3970X has 48% better value for money than i7-3960X.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-3970X and Core i7-3960X 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)6 (Hexa-Core)
Threads1212
Base clock speed3.5 GHz3.3 GHz
Boost clock speed4 GHz3.9 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/s5 GT/s
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache15 MB (shared)15 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nm32 nm
Die size435 mm2435 mm2
Maximum case temperature (TCase)70 °C67 °C
Number of transistors2,270 million2,270 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplier++

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-3970X and Core i7-3960X 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 configuration11
SocketFCLGA2011FCLGA2011
Power consumption (TDP)150 Watt130 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3970X and Core i7-3960X. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVXIntel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX
AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
Smart Response++
Demand Based Switching--

Security technologies

Core i7-3970X and Core i7-3960X technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT--
EDB++
Identity Protection++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-3970X and Core i7-3960X 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 i7-3960X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3
Maximum memory size64.45 GB64 GB
Max memory channels44
Maximum memory bandwidth51.2 GB/s51.2 GB/s

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3970X and Core i7-3960X.

PCIe version2.02.0
PCI Express lanes4040

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.

i7-3970X 5.36
+0.8%
i7-3960X 5.32

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.

i7-3970X 8516
+0.7%
i7-3960X 8453

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.

i7-3970X 729
+10.3%
i7-3960X 661

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.

i7-3970X 3688
+14.9%
i7-3960X 3210

3DMark Fire Strike Physics

i7-3970X 12900
+3.5%
i7-3960X 12460

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 5.36 5.32
Recency 1 November 2012 14 November 2011
Power consumption (TDP) 150 Watt 130 Watt

i7-3970X has a 0.8% higher aggregate performance score, and an age advantage of 11 months.

i7-3960X, on the other hand, has 15.4% lower power consumption.

Given the minimal performance differences, no clear winner can be declared between Core i7-3970X and Core i7-3960X.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-3970X and Core i7-3960X, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-3970X
Core i7-3970X
Intel Core i7-3960X
Core i7-3960X

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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