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).

Intel Core i7-3970X

Intel Core i7-3770K

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: 8516 vs 6466
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	8516 vs 6466
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 1849
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 1849
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

1849

2072

PassMark - CPU mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

8516

6466

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	1849	2072
PassMark - CPU mark	8516	6466
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	2038	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