i7-3970X Extreme Edition vs Ryzen 5 2600X

Aggregate performance score

Ryzen 5 2600X
2018
6 cores / 12 threads, 95 Watt
8.76
+50.8%
Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition
2012
6 cores / 12 threads, 150 Watt
5.81

Ryzen 5 2600X outperforms Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition by an impressive 51% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Ryzen 5 2600X and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking8631115
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation9.21no data
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesAMD Ryzen 5Intel Core i7EE
Power efficiency8.733.67
Architecture codenameZen+ (2018−2019)Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Release date19 April 2018 (6 years ago)12 November 2012 (12 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$229no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Ryzen 5 2600X and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition 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 speed3.6 GHzno data
Boost clock speed4.25 GHz3.5 GHz
Bus typeno dataDMI 2.0
Bus rate4 × 8 GT/s5 GT/s
Multiplier3635
L1 cache96K (per core)no data
L2 cache512K (per core)1,536 KB
L3 cache16 MB (shared)15 MB
Chip lithography12 nm32 nm
Die size192 mm2no data
Number of transistors4,800 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility+-
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Ryzen 5 2600X and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition 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 configuration1 (Uniprocessor)1 (Uniprocessor)
SocketAM4no data
Power consumption (TDP)95 Watt150 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Ryzen 5 2600X and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsSSE4.2, SSE4A, AMD-V, AES, AVX2, FMA3, SHAno data
AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)no data+
Precision Boost 2+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Ryzen 5 2600X and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition are enumerated here.

AMD-V+-

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Ryzen 5 2600X and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4 Dual-channelno data
Maximum memory size64 GB64 GB
Max memory channels2no data
Maximum memory bandwidth46.933 GB/sno data
ECC memory support+-

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Ryzen 5 2600X and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition.

PCIe version3.02.00
PCI Express lanes2040

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 8.76 5.81
Recency 19 April 2018 12 November 2012
Chip lithography 12 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 95 Watt 150 Watt

Ryzen 5 2600X has a 50.8% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 5 years, a 166.7% more advanced lithography process, and 57.9% lower power consumption.

The Ryzen 5 2600X is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Ryzen 5 2600X and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

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


AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
Ryzen 5 2600X
Intel Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition
Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition

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.


4.4 2318 votes

Rate Ryzen 5 2600X on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
4 28 votes

Rate Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Ryzen 5 2600X or Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.