i7-3970X Extreme Edition vs Ryzen 5 3500

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Aggregate performance score

Ryzen 5 3500
6 cores / 6 threads, 65 Watt
8.35
+38.5%
Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition
2012
6 cores / 12 threads, 150 Watt
6.03

Ryzen 5 3500 outperforms Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition by a substantial 38% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Ryzen 5 3500 and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking9271111
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesAMD Ryzen 5Intel Core i7EE
Power efficiency11.713.67
Architecture codenameZen 2 (2017−2020)Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Release dateno data (2024 years ago)12 November 2012 (11 years ago)

Detailed specifications

Ryzen 5 3500 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)
Threads612
Base clock speed3.6 GHzno data
Boost clock speed4.1 GHz3.5 GHz
Bus typeno dataDMI 2.0
Bus rateno data5 GT/s
Multiplierno data35
L1 cache384 KBno data
L2 cache3 MB1,536 KB
L3 cache16 MB15 MB
Chip lithography7 nm, 12 nm32 nm
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Ryzen 5 3500 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)
SocketSocket AM4no data
Power consumption (TDP)65 Watt150 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Ryzen 5 3500 and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)no data+
Precision Boost 2+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Ryzen 5 3500 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 3500 and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4-3200no data
Maximum memory size128 GB64 GB
Max memory channels2no data
Maximum memory bandwidth51.196 GB/sno data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Ryzen 5 3500 and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition.

PCIe versionno data2.00
PCI Express lanesno data40

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 8.35 6.03
Threads 6 12
Chip lithography 7 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 65 Watt 150 Watt

Ryzen 5 3500 has a 38.5% higher aggregate performance score, a 357.1% more advanced lithography process, and 130.8% lower power consumption.

i7-3970X Extreme Edition, on the other hand, has 100% more threads.

The Ryzen 5 3500 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 3500 and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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AMD Ryzen 5 3500
Ryzen 5 3500
Intel Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition
Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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