Intel Core i7-3970X vs Intel Core i5-3550S
Comparative analysis of Intel Core i7-3970X and Intel Core i5-3550S processors for all known characteristics in the following categories: Essentials, Performance, Memory, Compatibility, Peripherals, Security & Reliability, Advanced Technologies, Virtualization, Graphics, Graphics interfaces. Benchmark processor performance analysis: PassMark - Single thread mark, PassMark - CPU mark, Geekbench 4 - Single Core, Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core, 3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score, CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Face Detection (mPixels/s), CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Ocean Surface Simulation (Frames/s), CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - T-Rex (Frames/s), CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Video Composition (Frames/s), CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Bitcoin Mining (mHash/s), GFXBench 4.0 - T-Rex (Frames), GFXBench 4.0 - T-Rex (Fps).
Differences
Reasons to consider the Intel Core i7-3970X
- CPU is newer: launch date 7 month(s) later
- Processor is unlocked, an unlocked multiplier allows for easier overclocking
- 2 more cores, run more applications at once: 6 vs 4
- 8 more threads: 12 vs 4
- Around 8% higher clock speed: 4.00 GHz vs 3.70 GHz
- Around 50% more L1 cache; more data can be stored in the L1 cache for quick access later
- Around 50% more L2 cache; more data can be stored in the L2 cache for quick access later
- 2.5x more L3 cache, more data can be stored in the L3 cache for quick access later
- 2x more maximum memory size: 64.45 GB vs 32 GB
- Around 95% better performance in PassMark - CPU mark: 8595 vs 4414
- Around 10% better performance in Geekbench 4 - Single Core: 792 vs 722
- Around 98% better performance in Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core: 4715 vs 2376
- 2x better performance in CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Bitcoin Mining (mHash/s): 7.433 vs 3.649
| Specifications (specs) | |
| Launch date | November 2012 vs April 2012 |
| Unlocked | Unlocked vs Locked |
| Number of cores | 6 vs 4 |
| Number of threads | 12 vs 4 |
| Maximum frequency | 4.00 GHz vs 3.70 GHz |
| L1 cache | 64 KB (per core) vs 64 KB (per core) |
| L2 cache | 256 KB (per core) vs 256 KB (per core) |
| L3 cache | 15360 KB (shared) vs 6144 KB (shared) |
| Maximum memory size | 64.45 GB vs 32 GB |
| Benchmarks | |
| PassMark - CPU mark | 8595 vs 4414 |
| Geekbench 4 - Single Core | 792 vs 722 |
| Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core | 4715 vs 2376 |
| CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Bitcoin Mining (mHash/s) | 7.433 vs 3.649 |
Reasons to consider the Intel Core i5-3550S
- Around 3% higher maximum core temperature: 69.1°C vs 66.8°C
- A newer manufacturing process allows for a more powerful, yet cooler running processor: 22 nm vs 32 nm
- 2.3x lower typical power consumption: 65 Watt vs 150 Watt
- Around 5% better performance in PassMark - Single thread mark: 1946 vs 1857
| Specifications (specs) | |
| Maximum core temperature | 69.1°C vs 66.8°C |
| Manufacturing process technology | 22 nm vs 32 nm |
| Thermal Design Power (TDP) | 65 Watt vs 150 Watt |
| Benchmarks | |
| PassMark - Single thread mark | 1946 vs 1857 |
Compare benchmarks
CPU 1: Intel Core i7-3970X
CPU 2: Intel Core i5-3550S
| PassMark - Single thread mark |
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| PassMark - CPU mark |
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| Geekbench 4 - Single Core |
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| Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core |
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| CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Bitcoin Mining (mHash/s) |
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| Name | Intel Core i7-3970X | Intel Core i5-3550S |
|---|---|---|
| PassMark - Single thread mark | 1857 | 1946 |
| PassMark - CPU mark | 8595 | 4414 |
| Geekbench 4 - Single Core | 792 | 722 |
| Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core | 4715 | 2376 |
| 3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score | 0 | |
| CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Face Detection (mPixels/s) | 21.513 | |
| CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Ocean Surface Simulation (Frames/s) | 24.951 | |
| CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - T-Rex (Frames/s) | 0.954 | |
| CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Video Composition (Frames/s) | 4.518 | |
| CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Bitcoin Mining (mHash/s) | 7.433 | 3.649 |
| GFXBench 4.0 - T-Rex (Frames) | 1771 | |
| GFXBench 4.0 - T-Rex (Fps) | 1771 |
Compare specifications (specs)
| Intel Core i7-3970X | Intel Core i5-3550S | |
|---|---|---|
Essentials |
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| Architecture codename | Sandy Bridge E | Ivy Bridge |
| Launch date | November 2012 | April 2012 |
| Launch price (MSRP) | $593 | $350 |
| Place in performance rating | 2051 | 2026 |
| Price now | $909.99 | $341.01 |
| Processor Number | i7-3970X | i5-3550S |
| Series | Intel® Core™ X-series Processors | Legacy Intel® Core™ Processors |
| Status | Discontinued | Launched |
| Value for money (0-100) | 4.10 | 5.95 |
| Vertical segment | Desktop | Desktop |
Performance |
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| 64 bit support | ||
| Base frequency | 3.50 GHz | 3.00 GHz |
| Bus Speed | 5 GT/s DMI2 | 5 GT/s DMI |
| Die size | 435 mm | 160 mm |
| L1 cache | 64 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |
| L2 cache | 256 KB (per core) | 256 KB (per core) |
| L3 cache | 15360 KB (shared) | 6144 KB (shared) |
| Manufacturing process technology | 32 nm | 22 nm |
| Maximum case temperature (TCase) | 70 °C | 69 °C |
| Maximum core temperature | 66.8°C | 69.1°C |
| Maximum frequency | 4.00 GHz | 3.70 GHz |
| Number of cores | 6 | 4 |
| Number of threads | 12 | 4 |
| Transistor count | 2270 million | 1400 million |
| Unlocked | ||
| VID voltage range | 0.6V-1.35V | |
Memory |
||
| Max memory channels | 4 | 2 |
| Maximum memory bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 25.6 GB/s |
| Maximum memory size | 64.45 GB | 32 GB |
| Supported memory types | DDR3 1066/1333/1600 | DDR3 1333/1600 |
Compatibility |
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| Low Halogen Options Available | ||
| Max number of CPUs in a configuration | 1 | 1 |
| Package Size | 52.5mm x 45.0mm | 37.5mm x 37.5mm |
| Sockets supported | FCLGA2011 | FCLGA1155 |
| Thermal Design Power (TDP) | 150 Watt | 65 Watt |
| Thermal Solution | 2011C | |
Peripherals |
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| Max number of PCIe lanes | 40 | |
| PCI Express revision | 2.0 | 3.0 |
| PCIe configurations | up to 1x16, 2x8, 1x8 & 2x4 | |
Security & Reliability |
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| Execute Disable Bit (EDB) | ||
| Intel® Identity Protection technology | ||
| Intel® Trusted Execution technology (TXT) | ||
| Anti-Theft technology | ||
| Intel® Secure Key technology | ||
Advanced Technologies |
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| Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® technology | ||
| Idle States | ||
| Instruction set extensions | Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX | Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX |
| Intel 64 | ||
| Intel® Advanced Vector Extensions (AVX) | ||
| Intel® AES New Instructions | ||
| Intel® Demand Based Switching | ||
| Intel® Hyper-Threading technology | ||
| Intel® Smart Response technology | ||
| Intel® Turbo Boost technology | ||
| Intel® vPro™ Platform Eligibility | ||
| Thermal Monitoring | ||
| Flexible Display interface (FDI) | ||
| Intel® TSX-NI | ||
Virtualization |
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| Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x) | ||
| Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d) | ||
| Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT) | ||
Graphics |
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| Device ID | 0x152 | |
| Graphics base frequency | 650 MHz | |
| Graphics max dynamic frequency | 1.15 GHz | |
| Graphics max frequency | 1.15 GHz | |
| Intel® Clear Video HD technology | ||
| Intel® Flexible Display Interface (Intel® FDI) | ||
| Intel® InTru™ 3D technology | ||
| Intel® Quick Sync Video | ||
| Processor graphics | Intel® HD Graphics 2500 | |
Graphics interfaces |
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| Number of displays supported | 3 | |
| Wireless Display (WiDi) support | ||
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