Core i9-9900KS vs Core i7-3970X

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-3970X and Core i9-9900KS processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking	1070	546
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	1.51	18.97
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Series	no data	Intel Core i9
Architecture codename	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
Release date	1 November 2012 (11 years ago)	28 October 2019 (4 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$593	$513
Current price	$266 (0.4x MSRP)	$384 (0.7x MSRP)

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i9-9900KS has 1156% better value for money than i7-3970X.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-3970X and Core i9-9900KS 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)	8 (Octa-Core)
Threads	12	16
Base clock speed	3.5 GHz	4 GHz
Boost clock speed	4 GHz	5 GHz
L1 cache	64 KB (per core)	64K (per core)
L2 cache	256 KB (per core)	256K (per core)
L3 cache	15 MB (shared)	16 MB (shared)
Chip lithography	32 nm	14 nm
Die size	435 mm2	178 mm2
Maximum core temperature	67 °C	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	Yes	Yes

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-3970X and Core i9-9900KS 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	FCLGA1151
Power consumption (TDP)	150 Watt	127 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3970X and Core i9-9900KS. 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	+	+
vPro	no data	+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
Turbo Boost Technology	2.0	2.0
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	+
TSX	no data	+
Idle States	+	+
Thermal Monitoring	+	+
SIPP	no data	+
Smart Response	+	no data
Demand Based Switching	-	no data
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Security technologies

Core i7-3970X and Core i9-9900KS technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT	-	+
EDB	+	+
Secure Key	no data	+
MPX	no data	+
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 i9-9900KS are enumerated here.

AMD-V	no data	+
VT-d	+	+
VT-x	+	+
EPT	+	+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-3970X and Core i9-9900KS. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR3	DDR4
Maximum memory size	64.45 GB	128 GB
Max memory channels	4	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	51.2 GB/s	41.6 GB/s
ECC memory support	-	-

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	no data	+
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 i9-9900KS integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported

no data

3

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i7-3970X and Core i9-9900KS integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

4K resolution support	no data	+
Max resolution over HDMI 1.4	no data	4096 x 2304@24Hz
Max resolution over eDP	no data	4096 x 2304@60Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPort	no data	4096 x 2304@60Hz

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i7-3970X and Core i9-9900KS 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 i9-9900KS.

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.

---

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 i9-9900KS outperforms Core i7-3970X by 130% based on our aggregated benchmark results.

---

Pros & cons summary

---

Performance score	5.48	12.61
Recency	1 November 2012	28 October 2019
Physical cores	6	8
Threads	12	16
Cost	$593	$513
Chip lithography	32 nm	14 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	150 Watt	127 Watt

---

Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-3970X and Core i9-9900KS, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

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

---