Athlon X4 970 vs i7-6900K

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Aggregate performance score

Core i7-6900K
2016
8 cores / 16 threads, 140 Watt
9.11
+449%
Athlon X4 970
2017
4 cores / 4 threads, 65 Watt
1.66

Core i7-6900K outperforms Athlon X4 970 by a whopping 449% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-6900K and Athlon X4 970 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking8422075
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation1.04no data
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Power efficiency6.162.42
Architecture codenameBroadwell-E (2016)Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)
Release date31 May 2016 (8 years ago)27 July 2017 (7 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,020no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i7-6900K and Athlon X4 970 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 cores8 (Octa-Core)4 (Quad-Core)
Threads164
Base clock speed3.2 GHz3.8 GHz
Boost clock speed4 GHz4 GHz
L1 cache32 KB (per core)128 KB (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)512 KB (per core)
L3 cache20 MB (shared)0 KB
Chip lithography14 nm28 nm
Die sizeno data246 mm2
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °C74 °C
Number of transistorsno data1,178 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplier++

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-6900K and Athlon X4 970 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
SocketFCLGA2011AM4
Power consumption (TDP)140 Watt65 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-6900K and Athlon X4 970. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

AES-NI++
FMA-+
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)+no data
Turbo Boost Technology2.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology+no data
Idle States+no data
Smart Response+no data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0+no data

Security technologies

Core i7-6900K and Athlon X4 970 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+no data
EDB+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-6900K and Athlon X4 970 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 i7-6900K and Athlon X4 970. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4DDR4 Dual-channel
Maximum memory size128 GBno data
Max memory channels4no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-6900K and Athlon X4 970.

PCIe version3.0no data
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.

i7-6900K 9.11
+449%
Athlon X4 970 1.66

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.

i7-6900K 14470
+447%
Athlon X4 970 2644

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 9.11 1.66
Recency 31 May 2016 27 July 2017
Physical cores 8 4
Threads 16 4
Chip lithography 14 nm 28 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 140 Watt 65 Watt

i7-6900K has a 448.8% higher aggregate performance score, 100% more physical cores and 300% more threads, and a 100% more advanced lithography process.

Athlon X4 970, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 1 year, and 115.4% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-6900K is our recommended choice as it beats the Athlon X4 970 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-6900K and Athlon X4 970, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

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Intel Core i7-6900K
Core i7-6900K
AMD Athlon X4 970
Athlon X4 970

Similar processor comparisons

We picked several similar comparisons of processors in the same market segment and performance relatively close to those reviewed on this page.

Community ratings

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


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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i7-6900K or Athlon X4 970, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.