Intel Core i7-3970X vs Intel Core i7-3960X

Last updated:

CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i7-3970X or Intel Core i7-3970X – which processor offers superior performance? In this comparison, we examine disparities and assess which of these two CPUs outperforms the other. We delve into technical specifications and benchmark outcomes.
The Intel Core i7-3970X features 6 processor cores and has the capability to manage 12 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q4/2012 and belongs to the 3 generation of the Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition series.
To use the Intel Core i7-3970X, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 2011 socket.
The Intel Core i7-3960X features 6 processor cores and has the capability to manage 12 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q4/2011 and belongs to the 3 generation of the Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition series.
To use the Intel Core i7-3960X, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 2011 socket.
Intel Core i 3000X Group Intel Core i 3000X
3 Generation 3
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i7-3970X Name Intel Core i7-3960X
Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition Family Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i7-3970X has 6 CPU cores and can calculate 12 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-3970X is 3.5 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 4.0 GHz.
The number of CPU cores greatly affects the speed of the processor and is an important performance indicator.
The Intel Core i7-3960X has 6 CPU cores and can calculate 12 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-3960X is 3.3 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.9 GHz.
12 Threads 12
6x Cores 6x
6 CPU Cores 6
normal Core architecture normal
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
Yes Overclocking Yes
4.0 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 3.9 GHz
3.5 GHz Frequency 3.3 GHz
4.0 GHz Turbo Frequency (all cores) 3.9 GHz
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i7-3970X does not have integrated graphics.
The Intel Core i7-3960X does not have integrated graphics.
-- Shaders --
-- Release date --
-- Technology --
-- Direct X --
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 0 bytes
-- Max. displays --
-- Execution units --
-- GPU frequency --
-- Generation --
-- GPU (Turbo) --
GPU name
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

-- AI specifications --
-- AI hardware --
 
 

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.
-- VP8 --
-- VC-1 --
-- JPEG --
-- AV1 --
-- h265 / HEVC (8 bit) --
-- AVC --
-- h264 --
-- VP9 --
-- h265 / HEVC (10 bit) --
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 64.0 GB distributed across 4 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI Yes
DDR3-1600 Memory type DDR3-1600
No ECC No
64.0 GB Max. Memory 64.0 GB
4 Memory channels 4
51.2 GB/s Bandwidth 51.2 GB/s
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 150 W watts.
TDP indicates the cooling solution needed to effectively manage the processor's heat. It generally provides an approximate indication of the actual power consumption of the CPU itself.
The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 130 W watts.
150 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 130 W
-- Tjunction max --
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i7-3970X is manufactured using a 32 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 15.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The Intel Core i7-3960X is manufactured using a 32 nm process.
Q4/2012 Release date Q4/2011
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d (C2 Stepping) Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d (C2 Stepping)
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX
32 nm Technology 32 nm
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
820 $ Release price 970 $
Sandy Bridge E Architecture Sandy Bridge E
15.0 MB L3-Cache 15.0 MB
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
-- Part Number --
LGA 2011 Socket LGA 2011
0 bytes L2-Cache 0 bytes
 
 

Benchmarks

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 3.5 GHz
19425
19425
Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.3 GHz
19300
19300

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 3.5 GHz
4981
4981
Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.3 GHz
4973
4973

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 3.5 GHz
3512
3512
Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.3 GHz
3488
3488

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 3.5 GHz
3350
3350
Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.3 GHz
3314
3314

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.3 GHz
2643
2643
Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 3.5 GHz
2623
2623

Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.3 GHz
1158
1158
Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 3.5 GHz
1065
1065

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 3.5 GHz
742
742
Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.3 GHz
736
736

Cinebench R15 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.3 GHz
159
159
Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 3.5 GHz
135
135

Cinebench R11.5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-3960X
6C 12T @ 3.3 GHz
11.4
11.4
Intel Core i7-3970X
6C 12T @ 3.5 GHz
10.1
10.1