FX-8170 vs Core i7-3970X

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-3970X and FX-8170 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking	1086	not rated
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	1.41	no data
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Architecture codename	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)	Zambezi (2011−2012)
Release date	1 November 2012 (11 years ago)	23 October 2012 (11 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$593	no data
Current price	$282 (0.5x MSRP)	no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-3970X and FX-8170 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	8
Base clock speed	3.5 GHz	3.9 GHz
Boost clock speed	4 GHz	4.5 GHz
L1 cache	64 KB (per core)	384 KB
L2 cache	256 KB (per core)	8 MB
L3 cache	15 MB (shared)	8 MB (shared)
Chip lithography	32 nm	32 nm
Die size	435 mm2	315 mm2
Maximum core temperature	67 °C	no data
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	70 °C	no data
Number of transistors	2,270 million	1,200 million
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	-	-
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	Yes

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-3970X and FX-8170 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	AM3+
Power consumption (TDP)	150 Watt	125 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3970X and FX-8170. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

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

Security technologies

Core i7-3970X and FX-8170 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

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

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-3970X and FX-8170 are enumerated here.

AMD-V	no data	+
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-8170. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR3	DDR3
Maximum memory size	64.45 GB	no data
Max memory channels	4	no data
Maximum memory bandwidth	51.2 GB/s	no data
ECC memory support	-	no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3970X and FX-8170.

PCIe version	2.0	2.0
PCI Express lanes	40	no data

Pros & cons summary

---

Physical cores	6	8
Threads	12	8
Power consumption (TDP)	150 Watt	125 Watt

---

Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-3970X and FX-8170, 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.

---