Intel Core i7-6700K vs Core i7-3970X

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Combined performance score

i7-3970X
5.51

Core i7-6700K outperforms Core i7-3970X by 6% in our combined benchmark results.

General info

Comparing Core i7-3970X and Core i7-6700K processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking10461020
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Value for money1.571.81
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Seriesno dataIntel Core i7 (Desktop)
Architecture codenameSandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)Skylake (2015−2016)
Release date1 November 2012 (11 years old)1 August 2015 (8 years old)
Launch price (MSRP)$593$339
Current price$264 (0.4x MSRP)$257 (0.8x MSRP)
Value for money

Performance per price, higher is better.

i7-6700K has 15% better value for money than i7-3970X.

Technical specs

Core i7-3970X and Core i7-6700K 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)4 (Quad-Core)
Threads128
Base clock speed3.5 GHz4 GHz
Boost clock speed4 GHz4.2 GHz
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64K (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)256K (per core)
L3 cache15 MB (shared)8 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nm14 nm
Die size435 mm2122 mm2
Maximum core temperature67 °C64 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)70 °C72 °C
Number of transistors2,270 million1750 Million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplierYesYes

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-3970X and Core i7-6700K 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
SocketFCLGA2011FCLGA1151
Power consumption (TDP)150 Watt91 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3970X and Core i7-6700K. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVXIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI++
AVX++
vProno data+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSXno data+
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
SIPPno data-
Smart Response+no data
Demand Based Switching-no data
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued

Security technologies

Core i7-3970X and Core i7-6700K technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT--
EDB++
Secure Keyno data+
MPXno data+
Identity Protection++
SGXno dataYes with Intel® ME
OS Guardno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-3970X and Core i7-6700K are enumerated here.

AMD-Vno data+
VT-d++
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-3970X and Core i7-6700K. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3, DDR4
Maximum memory size64.45 GB64 GB
Max memory channels42
Maximum memory bandwidth51.2 GB/s34.1 GB/s
ECC memory support--

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataIntel HD Graphics 530
Max video memoryno data64 GB
Quick Sync Videono data+
Clear Videono data+
Clear Video HDno data+
Graphics max frequencyno data1.15 GHz
InTru 3Dno data+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-3970X and Core i7-6700K integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data3
eDPno data+
DisplayPortno data+
HDMIno data+
DVIno data+

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i7-3970X and Core i7-6700K integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

4K resolution supportno data+
Max resolution over HDMI 1.4no data4096x2304@24Hz
Max resolution over eDPno data4096x2304@60Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPortno data4096x2304@60Hz
Max resolution over VGAno dataN/A

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i7-3970X and Core i7-6700K integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectXno data12
OpenGLno data4.5

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3970X and Core i7-6700K.

PCIe version2.03.0
PCI Express lanes4016

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 5.51
i7-6700K 5.82
+5.6%

Core i7-6700K outperforms Core i7-3970X by 6% in our combined 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%

i7-3970X 8461
i7-6700K 8936
+5.6%

Core i7-6700K outperforms Core i7-3970X by 6% 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%

i7-3970X 650
i7-6700K 1481
+128%

Core i7-6700K outperforms Core i7-3970X by 128% 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%

i7-3970X 3313
i7-6700K 4901
+47.9%

Core i7-6700K outperforms Core i7-3970X by 48% in GeekBench 5 Multi-Core.

3DMark Fire Strike Physics

Benchmark coverage: 4%

i7-3970X 12900
+4.1%
i7-6700K 12390

Core i7-3970X outperforms Core i7-6700K by 4% in 3DMark Fire Strike Physics.

Gaming performance

Advantages and disadvantages


Performance score 5.51 5.82
Recency 1 November 2012 1 August 2015
Physical cores 6 4
Threads 12 8
Cost $593 $339
Chip lithography 32 nm 14 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 150 Watt 91 Watt

We couldn't decide between Core i7-3970X and Core i7-6700K. The differences in performance seem too small.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-3970X and Core i7-6700K, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

User ratings

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Core i7-3970X
Core i7-3970X
Intel Core i7-6700K
Core i7-6700K

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Questions and comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i7-3970X or Core i7-6700K, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.