i7-3970X vs Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX

VS

Aggregate performance score

Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX
2018
32 cores / 64 threads, 250 Watt
20.27
+278%
Core i7-3970X
2012
6 cores / 12 threads, 150 Watt
5.36

Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX outperforms Core i7-3970X by a whopping 278% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX and Core i7-3970X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking2781176
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation4.860.62
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesAMD Ryzen Threadripperno data
Power efficiency7.673.38
Architecture codenameZen+ (2018−2019)Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)
Release date13 August 2018 (6 years ago)1 November 2012 (12 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,799$593

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX has 684% better value for money than i7-3970X.

Detailed specifications

Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX 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 cores32 (Dotriaconta-Core)6 (Hexa-Core)
Threads6412
Base clock speed3 GHz3.5 GHz
Boost clock speed4.2 GHz4 GHz
Bus rate4 × 8 GT/s5 GT/s
Multiplier30no data
L1 cache96K (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache512K (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache64 MB15 MB (shared)
Chip lithography12 nm32 nm
Die size213 mm2435 mm2
Maximum case temperature (TCase)no data70 °C
Number of transistors19,200 million2,270 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility+-
Unlocked multiplier++

Compatibility

Information on Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX 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 configuration1 (Uniprocessor)1
SocketSocket TR4FCLGA2011
Power consumption (TDP)250 Watt150 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX 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)no data+
Turbo Boost Technologyno data2.0
Hyper-Threading Technologyno data+
Idle Statesno data+
Thermal Monitoring-+
Smart Responseno data+
Demand Based Switchingno data-
Precision Boost 2+no data

Security technologies

Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX and Core i7-3970X technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXTno data-
EDBno data+
Identity Protection-+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX and Core i7-3970X are enumerated here.

AMD-V+-
VT-dno data+
VT-xno data+
EPTno data+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX and Core i7-3970X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4 Quad-channelDDR3
Maximum memory size2 TiB64.45 GB
Max memory channelsno data4
Maximum memory bandwidth93.867 GB/s51.2 GB/s

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX and Core i7-3970X.

PCIe versionno data2.0
PCI Express lanesno data40

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.

Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX 20.27
+278%
i7-3970X 5.36

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.

Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX 32193
+278%
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.

Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX 1206
+65.4%
i7-3970X 729

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.

Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX 7607
+106%
i7-3970X 3688

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 20.27 5.36
Recency 13 August 2018 1 November 2012
Physical cores 32 6
Threads 64 12
Chip lithography 12 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 250 Watt 150 Watt

Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX has a 278.2% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 5 years, 433.3% more physical cores and 433.3% more threads, and a 166.7% more advanced lithography process.

i7-3970X, on the other hand, has 66.7% lower power consumption.

The Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-3970X in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX and Core i7-3970X, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX
Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX
Intel Core i7-3970X
Core i7-3970X

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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