Intel Core i7-970 vs Core i7-990X

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Combined performance score

i7-990X
4.63
+8.4%

Core i7-990X outperforms Core i7-970 by 8% in our combined benchmark results.

General info

Comparing Core i7-990X and Core i7-970 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking11891257
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Value for money1.540.87
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Architecture codenameGulftown (2010−2011)Gulftown (2010−2011)
Release date24 February 2011 (13 years old)19 July 2010 (13 years old)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,104$662
Current price$187 (0.2x MSRP)$278 (0.4x MSRP)
Value for money

Performance per price, higher is better.

i7-990X has 77% better value for money than i7-970.

Technical specs

Core i7-990X and Core i7-970 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 cores6 (Hexa-Core)6 (Hexa-Core)
Threads1212
Base clock speed3.46 GHz3.2 GHz
Boost clock speed3.73 GHz3.46 GHz
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache12 MB (shared)12 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nm32 nm
Die size239 mm2239 mm2
Maximum core temperature68 °C68 °C
Number of transistors1,170 million1,170 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplierYesNo

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-990X and Core i7-970 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
SocketFCLGA1366,LGA1366FCLGA1366
Power consumption (TDP)130 Watt130 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-990X and Core i7-970. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2Intel® SSE4.2
AES-NI++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology1.01.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring--
Demand Based Switching--
PAE36 Bit36 Bit
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued

Security technologies

Core i7-990X and Core i7-970 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT--
EDB++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-990X and Core i7-970 are enumerated here.

VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-990X and Core i7-970. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3
Maximum memory size24 GB24 GB
Max memory channels33
Maximum memory bandwidth25.6 GB/s25.6 GB/s
ECC memory support--

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-990X and Core i7-970.

PCIe version2.02.0

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.

i7-990X 4.63
+8.4%
i7-970 4.27

Core i7-990X outperforms Core i7-970 by 8% in our combined benchmark results.


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.

Benchmark coverage: 68%

i7-990X 7106
+8.3%
i7-970 6561

Core i7-990X outperforms Core i7-970 by 8% in Passmark.

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.

Benchmark coverage: 42%

i7-990X 565
+13.7%
i7-970 497

Core i7-990X outperforms Core i7-970 by 14% in GeekBench 5 Single-Core.

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.

Benchmark coverage: 42%

i7-990X 2629
+12.3%
i7-970 2341

Core i7-990X outperforms Core i7-970 by 12% in GeekBench 5 Multi-Core.

3DMark Fire Strike Physics

Benchmark coverage: 4%

i7-990X 8320
+10.6%
i7-970 7520

Core i7-990X outperforms Core i7-970 by 11% in 3DMark Fire Strike Physics.

Gaming performance

Advantages and disadvantages


Performance score 4.63 4.27
Recency 24 February 2011 19 July 2010
Cost $1104 $662

We couldn't decide between Core i7-990X and Core i7-970. The differences in performance seem too small.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-990X and Core i7-970, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

User ratings

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Core i7-990X
Core i7-990X
Intel Core i7-970
Core i7-970

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4.2 59 votes

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Questions and comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i7-990X or Core i7-970, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.