i7-3970X vs i7-6950X

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-6950X
2016
10 cores / 20 threads, 140 Watt
10.88
+105%
Core i7-3970X
2012
6 cores / 12 threads, 150 Watt
5.32

Core i7-6950X outperforms Core i7-3970X by a whopping 105% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-6950X and Core i7-3970X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking7431212
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.900.62
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i7 (Desktop)no data
Power efficiency7.383.37
Architecture codenameBroadwell-E (2016)Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)
Release date31 May 2016 (8 years ago)1 November 2012 (12 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,723$593

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i7-6950X has 45% better value for money than i7-3970X.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-6950X and Core i7-3970X 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 cores10 (Deca-Core)6 (Hexa-Core)
Threads2012
Base clock speed3 GHz3.5 GHz
Boost clock speed4 GHz4 GHz
Bus rate9.6 GT/s / QPI5 GT/s
L1 cache32K (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256K (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache25 MB (shared)15 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nm32 nm
Die size246 mm2435 mm2
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °C70 °C
Number of transistors3,800 million2,270 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplier++

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-6950X and Core i7-3970X 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
SocketFCLGA2011FCLGA2011
Power consumption (TDP)140 Watt150 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-6950X and Core i7-3970X. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsno dataIntel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX
AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring-+
Smart Response++
Demand Based Switchingno data-
Turbo Boost Max 3.0+no data

Security technologies

Core i7-6950X and Core i7-3970X technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+-
EDB++
Identity Protection-+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-6950X and Core i7-3970X are enumerated here.

VT-d++
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-6950X and Core i7-3970X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4DDR3
Maximum memory size128 GB64.45 GB
Max memory channels44
Maximum memory bandwidthno data51.2 GB/s

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-6950X and Core i7-3970X.

PCIe version3.02.0
PCI Express lanes4040

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.

i7-6950X 10.88
+105%
i7-3970X 5.32

  • Other tests
    • Passmark
    • GeekBench 5 Single-Core
    • GeekBench 5 Multi-Core
    • 3DMark Fire Strike Physics

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.

i7-6950X 17438
+105%
i7-3970X 8516

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.

i7-6950X 1337
+84.4%
i7-3970X 725

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.

i7-6950X 8620
+136%
i7-3970X 3646

3DMark Fire Strike Physics

i7-6950X 19410
+50.5%
i7-3970X 12900

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 10.88 5.32
Recency 31 May 2016 1 November 2012
Physical cores 10 6
Threads 20 12
Chip lithography 14 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 140 Watt 150 Watt

i7-6950X has a 104.5% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 3 years, 66.7% more physical cores and 66.7% more threads, a 128.6% more advanced lithography process, and 7.1% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-6950X is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-3970X in performance tests.

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Intel Core i7-6950X
Core i7-6950X
Intel Core i7-3970X
Core i7-3970X

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Community ratings

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3.9
263 votes

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3.9
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