i7-870 vs i7-3970X

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-3970X and Core i7-870 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking	1138	1901
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	0.59	0.20
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Architecture codename	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)	Lynnfield (2009−2010)
Release date	1 November 2012 (11 years ago)	8 September 2009 (15 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$593	$305

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i7-3970X has 195% better value for money than i7-870.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-3970X and Core i7-870 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	2.93 GHz
Boost clock speed	4 GHz	3.6 GHz
Bus rate	5 GT/s	2.5 GT/s
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)	8 MB (shared)
Chip lithography	32 nm	45 nm
Die size	435 mm2	296 mm2
Maximum core temperature	no data	73 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	70 °C	no data
Number of transistors	2,270 million	774 million
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	-	-
Unlocked multiplier	+	-

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-3970X and Core i7-870 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	FCLGA1156,LGA1156
Power consumption (TDP)	150 Watt	95 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3970X and Core i7-870. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions	Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX	Intel® SSE4.2
AES-NI	+	-
AVX	+	-
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
Turbo Boost Technology	2.0	1.0
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	+
Idle States	+	+
Thermal Monitoring	+	-
Smart Response	+	no data
Demand Based Switching	-	-
PAE	no data	36 Bit
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Security technologies

Core i7-3970X and Core i7-870 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 i7-870 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 i7-870. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR3	DDR3
Maximum memory size	64.45 GB	16 GB
Max memory channels	4	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	51.2 GB/s	21 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card

no data

N/A

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3970X and Core i7-870.

PCIe version	2.0	2.0
PCI Express lanes	40	16

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.

Pros & cons summary

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Performance score	5.54	2.03
Recency	1 November 2012	8 September 2009
Physical cores	6	4
Threads	12	8
Chip lithography	32 nm	45 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	150 Watt	95 Watt

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Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-3970X and Core i7-870, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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