FX-8150 vs i7-3970X

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Aggregate performance score

Core i7-3970X
2012
6 cores / 12 threads, 150 Watt
5.36
+61.9%
FX-8150
2011
8 cores / 8 threads, 125 Watt
3.31

Core i7-3970X outperforms FX-8150 by an impressive 62% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-3970X and FX-8150 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking11761588
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.62no data
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Power efficiency3.382.51
Architecture codenameSandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)Zambezi (2011−2012)
Release date1 November 2012 (12 years ago)12 October 2011 (13 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$593no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i7-3970X and FX-8150 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)8 (Octa-Core)
Threads128
Base clock speed3.5 GHz3.6 GHz
Boost clock speed4 GHz4.2 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/sno data
L1 cache64 KB (per core)384 KB
L2 cache256 KB (per core)8192 KB
L3 cache15 MB (shared)8192 KB
Chip lithography32 nm32 nm
Die size435 mm2315 mm2
Maximum core temperatureno data61 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)70 °Cno data
Number of transistors2,270 million1,200 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplier++
P0 Vcore voltageno dataMin: 1.0125 V - Max: 1.4125 V

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-3970X and FX-8150 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
SocketFCLGA2011AM3+
Power consumption (TDP)150 Watt125 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3970X and FX-8150. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVXno data
AES-NI++
FMA-+
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)+no data
Turbo Boost Technology2.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology+no data
Idle States+no data
Thermal Monitoring+-
Smart Response+no data
Demand Based Switching-no data

Security technologies

Core i7-3970X and FX-8150 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT-no data
EDB+no data
Identity Protection+-

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-3970X and FX-8150 are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-3970X and FX-8150. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3
Maximum memory size64.45 GBno data
Max memory channels4no data
Maximum memory bandwidth51.2 GB/sno data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3970X and FX-8150.

PCIe version2.0n/a
PCI Express lanes40no data

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 5.36
+61.9%
FX-8150 3.31

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.

i7-3970X 8516
+61.8%
FX-8150 5263

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.

i7-3970X 729
+65.7%
FX-8150 440

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.

i7-3970X 3688
+112%
FX-8150 1737

3DMark Fire Strike Physics

i7-3970X 12900
+111%
FX-8150 6120

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 5.36 3.31
Recency 1 November 2012 12 October 2011
Physical cores 6 8
Threads 12 8
Power consumption (TDP) 150 Watt 125 Watt

i7-3970X has a 61.9% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 1 year, and 50% more threads.

FX-8150, on the other hand, has 33.3% more physical cores, and 20% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-3970X is our recommended choice as it beats the FX-8150 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-3970X and FX-8150, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-3970X
Core i7-3970X
AMD FX-8150
FX-8150

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Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


3.8 30 votes

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4.1 444 votes

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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i7-3970X or FX-8150, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.