Core i7-4820K vs Core i7-3970X

Primary Details

Comparing Core i7-3970X and Core i7-4820K processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking	1064	1282
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-Effectiveness Evaluation	1.50	1.14
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Architecture codename	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)	Ivy Bridge-E (2013)
Release date	1 November 2012 (11 years ago)	1 September 2013 (10 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$593	$399
Current price	$266 (0.4x MSRP)	$202 (0.5x MSRP)

Cost-Effectiveness Evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i7-3970X has 32% better value for money than i7-4820K.

Detailed Specifications

Core i7-3970X and Core i7-4820K 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	3.7 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)	256 KB (per core)
L3 cache	15 MB (shared)	10 MB (shared)
Chip lithography	32 nm	22 nm
Die size	435 mm2	257 mm2
Maximum core temperature	67 °C	67 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	70 °C	no data
Number of transistors	2,270 million	1,860 million
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	-	-
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	Yes

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-3970X and Core i7-4820K 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	FCLGA2011
Power consumption (TDP)	150 Watt	130 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3970X and Core i7-4820K. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions	Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX	Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX
AES-NI	+	+
AVX	+	+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
Turbo Boost Technology	2.0	2.0
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	+
Idle States	+	+
Thermal Monitoring	+	+
Smart Response	+	+
Demand Based Switching	-	-
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Security technologies

Core i7-3970X and Core i7-4820K 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 i7-4820K 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 i7-4820K. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR3	DDR3
Maximum memory size	64.45 GB	64 GB
Max memory channels	4	4
Maximum memory bandwidth	51.2 GB/s	59.7 GB/s
ECC memory support	-	-

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3970X and Core i7-4820K.

PCIe version	2.0	3.0
PCI Express lanes	40	40

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.

Core i7-3970X outperforms Core i7-4820K by 30% based on our aggregated benchmark results.

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Pros & Cons Summary

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Performance score	5.47	4.22
Recency	1 November 2012	1 September 2013
Physical cores	6	4
Threads	12	8
Cost	$593	$399
Chip lithography	32 nm	22 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	150 Watt	130 Watt

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Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-3970X and Core i7-4820K, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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