Intel Core i7-3970X vs Intel Core i7-3770K

Comparative analysis of Intel Core i7-3970X and Intel Core i7-3770K 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 6 month(s) later
  • 2 more cores, run more applications at once: 6 vs 4
  • 4 more threads: 12 vs 8
  • Around 3% higher clock speed: 4.00 GHz vs 3.90 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
  • Around 88% 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 32% better performance in PassMark - CPU mark: 8541 vs 6465
  • Around 39% better performance in Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core: 4715 vs 3395
  • 4.4x better performance in CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Face Detection (mPixels/s): 21.513 vs 4.87
  • Around 57% better performance in CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - T-Rex (Frames/s): 0.954 vs 0.606
  • Around 94% better performance in CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Video Composition (Frames/s): 4.518 vs 2.325
  • Around 20% better performance in CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Bitcoin Mining (mHash/s): 7.433 vs 6.205
Specifications (specs)
Launch date November 2012 vs 8 April 2012
Number of cores 6 vs 4
Number of threads 12 vs 8
Maximum frequency 4.00 GHz vs 3.90 GHz
L1 cache 64 KB (per core) vs 64 KB (per core)
L2 cache 256 KB (per core) vs 1024 KB
L3 cache 15360 KB (shared) vs 8192 KB
Maximum memory size 64.45 GB vs 32 GB
Benchmarks
PassMark - CPU mark 8541 vs 6465
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core 4715 vs 3395
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Face Detection (mPixels/s) 21.513 vs 4.87
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - T-Rex (Frames/s) 0.954 vs 0.606
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Video Composition (Frames/s) 4.518 vs 2.325
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Bitcoin Mining (mHash/s) 7.433 vs 6.205

Reasons to consider the Intel Core i7-3770K

  • Around 1% higher maximum core temperature: 67.4°C vs 66.8°C
  • A newer manufacturing process allows for a more powerful, yet cooler running processor: 22 nm vs 32 nm
  • Around 95% lower typical power consumption: 77 Watt vs 150 Watt
  • Around 12% better performance in PassMark - Single thread mark: 2072 vs 1850
  • Around 9% better performance in Geekbench 4 - Single Core: 867 vs 792
  • 3.3x better performance in CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Ocean Surface Simulation (Frames/s): 83.411 vs 24.951
Specifications (specs)
Maximum core temperature 67.4°C vs 66.8°C
Manufacturing process technology 22 nm vs 32 nm
Thermal Design Power (TDP) 77 Watt vs 150 Watt
Benchmarks
PassMark - Single thread mark 2072 vs 1850
Geekbench 4 - Single Core 867 vs 792
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Ocean Surface Simulation (Frames/s) 83.411 vs 24.951

Compare benchmarks

CPU 1: Intel Core i7-3970X
CPU 2: Intel Core i7-3770K

PassMark - Single thread mark
CPU 1
CPU 2
1850
2072
PassMark - CPU mark
CPU 1
CPU 2
8541
6465
Geekbench 4 - Single Core
CPU 1
CPU 2
792
867
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core
CPU 1
CPU 2
4715
3395
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Face Detection (mPixels/s)
CPU 1
CPU 2
21.513
4.87
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Ocean Surface Simulation (Frames/s)
CPU 1
CPU 2
24.951
83.411
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - T-Rex (Frames/s)
CPU 1
CPU 2
0.954
0.606
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Video Composition (Frames/s)
CPU 1
CPU 2
4.518
2.325
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Bitcoin Mining (mHash/s)
CPU 1
CPU 2
7.433
6.205
Name Intel Core i7-3970X Intel Core i7-3770K
PassMark - Single thread mark 1850 2072
PassMark - CPU mark 8541 6465
Geekbench 4 - Single Core 792 867
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core 4715 3395
3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score 0 2122
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Face Detection (mPixels/s) 21.513 4.87
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Ocean Surface Simulation (Frames/s) 24.951 83.411
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - T-Rex (Frames/s) 0.954 0.606
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Video Composition (Frames/s) 4.518 2.325
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Bitcoin Mining (mHash/s) 7.433 6.205
GFXBench 4.0 - T-Rex (Frames) 2356
GFXBench 4.0 - T-Rex (Fps) 2356

Compare specifications (specs)

Intel Core i7-3970X Intel Core i7-3770K

Essentials

Architecture codename Sandy Bridge E Ivy Bridge
Launch date November 2012 8 April 2012
Launch price (MSRP) $593 $294
Place in performance rating 2036 2063
Price now $909.99 $247.99
Processor Number i7-3970X i7-3770K
Series Intel® Core™ X-series Processors Legacy Intel® Core™ Processors
Status Discontinued Discontinued
Value for money (0-100) 4.10 11.31
Vertical segment Desktop Desktop

Performance

64 bit support
Base frequency 3.50 GHz 3.50 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) 1024 KB
L3 cache 15360 KB (shared) 8192 KB
Manufacturing process technology 32 nm 22 nm
Maximum case temperature (TCase) 70 °C 67 °C
Maximum core temperature 66.8°C 67.4°C
Maximum frequency 4.00 GHz 3.90 GHz
Number of cores 6 4
Number of threads 12 8
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

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 77 Watt
Thermal Solution 2011D

Peripherals

Max number of PCIe lanes 40
PCI Express revision 2.0 3.0
PCIe configurations up to 1x16, 2x8, 1x8 & 2x4

Security & Reliability

Execute Disable Bit (EDB)
Intel® Identity Protection technology
Intel® Trusted Execution technology (TXT)
Anti-Theft technology
Intel® Secure Key technology

Advanced Technologies

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

Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x)
Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)
Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)

Graphics

Device ID 0x162
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 4000

Graphics interfaces

Number of displays supported 3
Wireless Display (WiDi) support