Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition vs Xeon E5-2696 V3

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Aggregate performance score

Xeon E5-2696 V3
2014
18 cores / 36 threads, 145 Watt
14.34
+140%
Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition
2012
6 cores / 12 threads, 150 Watt
5.97

Xeon E5-2696 V3 outperforms i7-3970X Extreme Edition by a whopping 140% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Xeon E5-2696 V3 and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking4761041
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation53.600.68
Market segmentServerDesktop processor
Seriesno dataIntel Core i7EE
Architecture codenameHaswell-EP (2014)Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Release date8 September 2014 (9 years ago)12 November 2012 (11 years ago)
Current price$106 $690

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Xeon E5-2696 V3 has 7782% better value for money than i7-3970X Extreme Edition.

Detailed specifications

Xeon E5-2696 V3 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 cores18 (Octadeca-Core)6 (Hexa-Core)
Threads3612
Base clock speed2.3 GHzno data
Boost clock speed3.8 GHz3.5 GHz
Bus supportno data5 GT/s
L1 cache64K (per core)no data
L2 cache256K (per core)1,536 KB
L3 cache45 MB (shared)15 MB
Chip lithography22 nm32 nm
Die size356 mm2no data
Maximum case temperature (TCase)77 °Cno data
Number of transistors2,600 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibilityno data-
Unlocked multiplierNoNo

Compatibility

Information on Xeon E5-2696 V3 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 configuration21 (Uniprocessor)
Socket2011-3no data
Power consumption (TDP)145 Watt150 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Xeon E5-2696 V3 and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

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

Security technologies

Xeon E5-2696 V3 and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Xeon E5-2696 V3 and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition are enumerated here.

VT-d+no data
VT-x+no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Xeon E5-2696 V3 and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3, DDR42133 MHz Quad-channelno data
Maximum memory sizeno data64 GB

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Xeon E5-2696 V3 and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition.

PCIe version3.02.00
PCI Express lanes4040

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 14.34 5.97
Recency 8 September 2014 12 November 2012
Physical cores 18 6
Threads 36 12
Chip lithography 22 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 145 Watt 150 Watt

The Xeon E5-2696 V3 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition in performance tests.

Be aware that Xeon E5-2696 V3 is a server/workstation processor while Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition is a desktop one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Xeon E5-2696 V3 and Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Xeon E5-2696 V3
Xeon E5-2696 V3
Intel Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition
Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition

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Community ratings

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