i9-12900K vs i7-970

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-970
2010
6 cores / 12 threads, 130 Watt
4.28
Core i9-12900K
2021
16 cores / 24 threads, 125 Watt
27.10
+533%

Core i9-12900K outperforms Core i7-970 by a whopping 533% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-970 and Core i9-12900K processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking1384183
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.3037.66
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Seriesno dataIntel Core i9
Power efficiency3.0019.77
Architecture codenameGulftown (2010−2011)Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)
Release date19 July 2010 (14 years ago)27 October 2021 (3 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$662$589

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i9-12900K has 12453% better value for money than i7-970.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-970 and Core i9-12900K 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)16 (Hexadeca-Core)
Threads1224
Base clock speed3.2 GHz3.2 GHz
Boost clock speed3.46 GHz5.2 GHz
Bus typeno dataDMI 4.0
Bus rate4.8 GT/s8 × 16 GT/s
Multiplierno data32
L1 cache64 KB (per core)768 KB
L2 cache256 KB (per core)4 MB
L3 cache12 MB (shared)6 MB
Chip lithography32 nm10 nm
Die size239 mm2215.25 mm2"
Maximum core temperature68 °C100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)no data72 °C
Number of transistors1,170 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-+
Unlocked multiplier-+

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-970 and Core i9-12900K 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
SocketFCLGA1366FCLGA1700
Power consumption (TDP)130 Watt125 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-970 and Core i9-12900K. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI++
AVX-+
vProno data+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Speed Shiftno data+
Turbo Boost Technology1.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring-+
SIPP-+
Demand Based Switching-no data
PAE36 Bitno data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0no data+
Deep Learning Boost-+

Security technologies

Core i7-970 and Core i9-12900K technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT-+
EDB++
Secure Keyno data+
OS Guardno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-970 and Core i9-12900K are enumerated here.

VT-dno data+
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-970 and Core i9-12900K. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR4, DDR5
Maximum memory size24 GB128 GB
Max memory channels32
Maximum memory bandwidth25.6 GB/s76.805 GB/s
ECC memory support-+

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataIntel UHD Graphics 770
Quick Sync Video-+
Clear Video HDno data+
Graphics max frequencyno data1.55 GHz
Execution Unitsno data32

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-970 and Core i9-12900K integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data4

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i7-970 and Core i9-12900K integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

Max resolution over HDMI 1.4no data4096 x 2160 @ 60Hz
Max resolution over eDPno data5120 x 3200 @ 120Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPortno data7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i7-970 and Core i9-12900K integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectXno data12
OpenGLno data4.5

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-970 and Core i9-12900K.

PCIe version2.05.0 and 4.0
PCI Express lanesno data20

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.

i7-970 4.28
i9-12900K 27.10
+533%

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.

i7-970 6546
i9-12900K 41470
+534%

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.

i7-970 495
i9-12900K 2653
+436%

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.

i7-970 2278
i9-12900K 15560
+583%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 4.28 27.10
Recency 19 July 2010 27 October 2021
Physical cores 6 16
Threads 12 24
Chip lithography 32 nm 10 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 130 Watt 125 Watt

i9-12900K has a 533.2% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 11 years, 166.7% more physical cores and 100% more threads, a 220% more advanced lithography process, and 4% lower power consumption.

The Core i9-12900K is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-970 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-970 and Core i9-12900K, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-970
Core i7-970
Intel Core i9-12900K
Core i9-12900K

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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