i7-3930K vs Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

Aggregate performance score

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X
2019
32 cores / 64 threads, 280 Watt
39.75
+669%
Core i7-3930K
2011
6 cores / 12 threads, 130 Watt
5.17

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X outperforms Core i7-3930K by a whopping 669% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Core i7-3930K processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking651193
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation15.610.49
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesAMD Ryzen Threadripperno data
Power efficiency13.443.76
Architecture codenameMatisse (2019−2020)Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)
Release date25 November 2019 (4 years ago)14 November 2011 (13 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,999$611

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X has 3086% better value for money than i7-3930K.

Detailed specifications

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Core i7-3930K 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 speed3.7 GHz3.2 GHz
Boost clock speed4.5 GHz3.8 GHz
Bus rate8 × 16 GT/s5 GT/s
Multiplier37no data
L1 cache96K (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache512K (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache128 MB12 MB (shared)
Chip lithography7 nm, 12 nm32 nm
Die sizeno data435 mm2
Maximum case temperature (TCase)no data67 °C
Number of transistors19,200 million2,270 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility+-
Unlocked multiplier++

Compatibility

Information on Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Core i7-3930K 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
SocketTR4FCLGA2011
Power consumption (TDP)280 Watt130 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Core i7-3930K. 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 3970X and Core i7-3930K 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 3970X and Core i7-3930K 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 3970X and Core i7-3930K. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4 Eight-channelDDR3
Maximum memory size256 GB64.23 GB
Max memory channels44
Maximum memory bandwidth102.403 GB/s51.2 GB/s
ECC memory support+-

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Core i7-3930K.

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 3970X 39.75
+669%
i7-3930K 5.17

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 3970X 63140
+670%
i7-3930K 8205

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 3970X 1661
+171%
i7-3930K 614

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 3970X 13799
+362%
i7-3930K 2986

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 39.75 5.17
Recency 25 November 2019 14 November 2011
Physical cores 32 6
Threads 64 12
Chip lithography 7 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 280 Watt 130 Watt

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X has a 668.9% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 8 years, 433.3% more physical cores and 433.3% more threads, and a 357.1% more advanced lithography process.

i7-3930K, on the other hand, has 115.4% lower power consumption.

The Ryzen Threadripper 3970X is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-3930K in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Ryzen Threadripper 3970X and Core i7-3930K, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X
Ryzen Threadripper 3970X
Intel Core i7-3930K
Core i7-3930K

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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