Core i7-2960XM Extreme vs Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

Primary details

Comparing Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Core i7-2960XM Extreme processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking	54	not rated
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	24.25	no data
Market segment	Desktop processor	Laptop
Series	AMD Ryzen Threadripper	Intel Core i7EE
Architecture codename	Matisse (2019−2020)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Release date	25 November 2019 (4 years ago)	4 September 2011 (12 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$1,999	$1,096
Current price	$1605 (0.8x MSRP)	$499 (0.5x MSRP)

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Detailed specifications

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Core i7-2960XM Extreme 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 cores	32 (Dotriaconta-Core)	4 (Quad-Core)
Threads	64	8
Base clock speed	3.7 GHz	no data
Boost clock speed	4.5 GHz	2.7 GHz
Bus support	8 × 16 GT/s	4 × 5 GT/s
L1 cache	96K (per core)	256 KB
L2 cache	512K (per core)	1 MB
L3 cache	128 MB	8 MB
Chip lithography	7 nm, 12 nm	32 nm
Die size	no data	216 mm2
Number of transistors	19,200 million	1160 Million
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	+	-
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	No

Compatibility

Information on Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Core i7-2960XM Extreme 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 configuration	1 (Uniprocessor)	1 (Uniprocessor)
Socket	TR4	Socket G2
Power consumption (TDP)	280 Watt	55 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Core i7-2960XM Extreme. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

AES-NI	+	+
FMA	no data	+
AVX	+	+
vPro	no data	+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	no data	+

Security technologies

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Core i7-2960XM Extreme technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT

no data

+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Core i7-2960XM Extreme are enumerated here.

AMD-V	+	no data
VT-d	no data	+
VT-x	no data	+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Core i7-2960XM Extreme. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR4 Eight-channel	DDR3-1600
Maximum memory size	256 GB	32 GB
Max memory channels	4	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	102.403 GB/s	25.598 GB/s
ECC memory support	+	-

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card

-

Intel HD Graphics 3000

Pros & cons summary

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Recency	25 November 2019	4 September 2011
Physical cores	32	4
Threads	64	8
Cost	$1999	$1096
Chip lithography	7 nm	32 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	280 Watt	55 Watt

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Should you still have questions on choice between Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Core i7-2960XM Extreme, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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