i9-8950HK vs i7-3970X

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-3970X and Core i9-8950HK processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking	1138	1010
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	0.59	no data
Market segment	Desktop processor	Laptop
Series	no data	Intel Core i9
Architecture codename	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)	Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019)
Release date	1 November 2012 (11 years ago)	2 April 2018 (6 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$593	$583

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-3970X and Core i9-8950HK 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)	6 (Hexa-Core)
Threads	12	12
Base clock speed	3.5 GHz	2.9 GHz
Boost clock speed	4 GHz	4.8 GHz
Bus type	no data	DMI 3.0
Bus rate	5 GT/s	4 × 8 GT/s
Multiplier	no data	29
L1 cache	64 KB (per core)	384 KB
L2 cache	256 KB (per core)	1.5 MB
L3 cache	15 MB (shared)	12 MB
Chip lithography	32 nm	14 nm
Die size	435 mm2	149 mm2
Maximum core temperature	no data	100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	70 °C	72 °C
Number of transistors	2,270 million	no data
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	-	+
Unlocked multiplier	+	+

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-3970X and Core i9-8950HK 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 (Uniprocessor)
Socket	FCLGA2011	FCBGA1440
Power consumption (TDP)	150 Watt	45 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3970X and Core i9-8950HK. 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® AVX2
AES-NI	+	+
AVX	+	+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
Speed Shift	no data	+
My WiFi	no data	+
Turbo Boost Technology	2.0	2.0
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	+
TSX	-	+
Idle States	+	+
Thermal Monitoring	+	+
Flex Memory Access	no data	+
Smart Response	+	no data
Demand Based Switching	-	no data
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Security technologies

Core i7-3970X and Core i9-8950HK technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT	-	-
EDB	+	+
Secure Key	no data	+
MPX	-	+
Identity Protection	+	+
SGX	no data	Yes with Intel® ME
OS Guard	no data	+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-3970X and Core i9-8950HK are enumerated here.

AMD-V	-	+
VT-d	+	+
VT-x	+	+
EPT	+	+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-3970X and Core i9-8950HK. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR3	DDR4
Maximum memory size	64.45 GB	64 GB
Max memory channels	4	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	51.2 GB/s	42.671 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card	no data	Intel UHD Graphics 630
Max video memory	no data	64 GB
Quick Sync Video	-	+
Clear Video	no data	+
Clear Video HD	no data	+
Graphics max frequency	no data	1.2 GHz
InTru 3D	no data	+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-3970X and Core i9-8950HK integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported	no data	3
eDP	no data	+
DisplayPort	-	+
HDMI	-	+
DVI	no data	+

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i7-3970X and Core i9-8950HK integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

4K resolution support	no data	+
Max resolution over HDMI 1.4	no data	4096x2304@30Hz
Max resolution over eDP	no data	4096x2304@60Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPort	no data	4096x2304@60Hz
Max resolution over VGA	no data	N/A

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i7-3970X and Core i9-8950HK integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX	no data	12
OpenGL	no data	4.5

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3970X and Core i9-8950HK.

PCIe version	2.0	3.0
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	6.81
Recency	1 November 2012	2 April 2018
Chip lithography	32 nm	14 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	150 Watt	45 Watt

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Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-3970X and Core i9-8950HK, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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