Core i7-2600K vs Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

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Aggregate performance score

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X
2019
32 cores / 64 threads, 280 Watt
40.90
+1052%

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X outperforms Core i7-2600K by a whopping 1052% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

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

Place in performance ranking541447
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation24.111.32
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesAMD Ryzen ThreadripperIntel Core i7 (Desktop)
Architecture codenameMatisse (2019−2020)Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Release date25 November 2019 (4 years ago)9 January 2011 (13 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,999$317
Current price$1675 (0.8x MSRP)$120 (0.4x MSRP)

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X has 1727% better value for money than i7-2600K.

Detailed specifications

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Core i7-2600K 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)4 (Quad-Core)
Threads648
Base clock speed3.7 GHz3.4 GHz
Boost clock speed4.5 GHz3.8 GHz
Bus support8 × 16 GT/sno data
L1 cache96K (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache512K (per core)256K (per core)
L3 cache128 MB8 MB (shared)
Chip lithography7 nm, 12 nm32 nm
Die sizeno data216 mm2
Maximum core temperatureno data73 °C
Number of transistors19,200 million1,160 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility+-
Unlocked multiplierYesYes

Compatibility

Information on Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Core i7-2600K 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
SocketTR4LGA1155
Power consumption (TDP)280 Watt95 Watt

Technologies and extensions

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

Instruction set extensionsno dataIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX
AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)no data+
Turbo Boost Technologyno data+
Hyper-Threading Technologyno data+
Idle Statesno data+
Thermal Monitoringno data+
Flex Memory Accessno data+
FDIno data+
Fast Memory Accessno data+
Statusno dataDiscontinued

Security technologies

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Core i7-2600K technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXTno data-
EDBno data+
Identity Protectionno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Core i7-2600K are enumerated here.

AMD-V+no data
VT-dno data-
VT-xno data+
EPTno data+

Memory specs

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

Supported memory typesDDR4 Eight-channelDDR3
Maximum memory size256 GB32 GB
Max memory channels42
Maximum memory bandwidth102.403 GB/s21 GB/s
ECC memory support+-

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card-Intel HD Graphics 3000
Quick Sync Video-+
Clear Video HD-+
Graphics max frequency-1.35 GHz
InTru 3D-+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Core i7-2600K integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported-2

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Core i7-2600K.

PCIe versionno data2.0
PCI Express lanesno data16

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 3970X 40.90
+1052%
i7-2600K 3.55

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X outperforms Core i7-2600K by 1052% based on our aggregated 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%

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X 63263
+1054%
i7-2600K 5484

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X outperforms Core i7-2600K by 1054% 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%

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X 1636
+145%
i7-2600K 667

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X outperforms Core i7-2600K by 145% 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%

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X 13995
+505%
i7-2600K 2314

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X outperforms Core i7-2600K by 505% in GeekBench 5 Multi-Core.

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 40.90 3.55
Recency 25 November 2019 9 January 2011
Physical cores 32 4
Threads 64 8
Cost $1999 $317
Chip lithography 7 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 280 Watt 95 Watt

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


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

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AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X
Ryzen Threadripper 3970X
Intel Core i7-2600K
Core i7-2600K

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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