Ryzen 7 7700X vs i7-3970X

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Aggregate performance score

Core i7-3970X
2012
6 cores / 12 threads, 150 Watt
5.52
Ryzen 7 7700X
2022
8 cores / 16 threads, 105 Watt
23.28
+322%

Ryzen 7 7700X outperforms i7-3970X by a whopping 322% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-3970X and Ryzen 7 7700X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking1138222
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.5945.71
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Seriesno dataAMD Ryzen 7
Architecture codenameSandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023)
Release date1 November 2012 (11 years ago)29 August 2022 (2 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$593$399

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Ryzen 7 7700X has 7647% better value for money than i7-3970X.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-3970X and Ryzen 7 7700X 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)
Threads1216
Base clock speed3.5 GHz4.5 GHz
Boost clock speed4 GHz5.4 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/sno data
L1 cache64 KB (per core)512 KB
L2 cache256 KB (per core)8 MB
L3 cache15 MB (shared)32 MB
Chip lithography32 nm5 nm, 6 nm
Die size435 mm271+122 mm
Maximum core temperatureno data95 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)70 °C61 °C
Number of transistors2,270 million9.9 Million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-+
Unlocked multiplier++

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-3970X and Ryzen 7 7700X 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
SocketFCLGA2011AM5 (LGA 1718)
Power consumption (TDP)150 Watt105 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3970X and Ryzen 7 7700X. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX5 nm, 0.650 - 1.475V
AES-NI++
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
StatusDiscontinuedno data
Precision Boost 2no data+

Security technologies

Core i7-3970X and Ryzen 7 7700X 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 Ryzen 7 7700X 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 Ryzen 7 7700X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR5-5200
Maximum memory size64.45 GB128 GB
Max memory channels4no data
Maximum memory bandwidth51.2 GB/sno data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataAMD Radeon Graphics (Ryzen 7000)

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3970X and Ryzen 7 7700X.

PCIe version2.05.0
PCI Express lanes4024

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 5.52
Ryzen 7 7700X 23.28
+322%

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 8541
Ryzen 7 7700X 36006
+322%

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 745
Ryzen 7 7700X 2945
+295%

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 3737
Ryzen 7 7700X 15412
+312%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 5.52 23.28
Recency 1 November 2012 29 August 2022
Physical cores 6 8
Threads 12 16
Chip lithography 32 nm 5 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 150 Watt 105 Watt

Ryzen 7 7700X has a 321.7% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 9 years, 33.3% more physical cores and 33.3% more threads, a 540% more advanced lithography process, and 42.9% lower power consumption.

The Ryzen 7 7700X is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-3970X in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-3970X and Ryzen 7 7700X, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

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Intel Core i7-3970X
Core i7-3970X
AMD Ryzen 7 7700X
Ryzen 7 7700X

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i7-3970X or Ryzen 7 7700X, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.