Intel Core i7-3960X vs Intel Core i7-3970X. Specifications, performance, tests

Comprehensive background on the processors being compared, detailing their series, generation, and targeted market segment.

• Segment
  Desktop / Server Desktop / Server
• Family
  Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition
• Generation
  3 3
• CPU group
  Intel Core i 3000X Intel Core i 3000X

Essential parameters including the number of cores, threads, base and turbo frequencies, and cache size. These metrics provide insight into the processor’s speed—higher values generally indicate better performance.

• Frequency
  3.30 GHz 3.50 GHz
• CPU Cores
  6 6
• Turbo (1 Core)
  3.90 GHz 4.00 GHz
• CPU Threads
  12 12
• Turbo (6 Cores)
  3.90 GHz 4.00 GHz
• Hyperthreading
  Yes Yes
• Overclocking
  Yes Yes
• Core architecture
  normal normal

The integrated graphics (iGPU) do not influence the CPU performance significantly; they serve as a substitute for a dedicated graphics card in the absence of one or are utilized in mobile devices.

• GPU name
  no iGPU no iGPU
• GPU (Turbo)
  No turbo No turbo

This section details the built-in codecs used for encoding and decoding media content, which significantly enhance processing speed and efficiency.

• h265 / HEVC (8 bit)
  No No
• h265 / HEVC (10 bit)
  No No
• h264
  No No
• VP9
  No No
• VP8
  No No
• AV1
  No No
• AVC
  No No
• VC-1
  No No
• JPEG
  No No

Overview of the types and quantities of RAM supported by Intel Core i7-3970X and Intel Core i7-3960X. The supported memory frequencies may vary depending on the motherboard configuration.

• Memory type
  DDR3-1600 DDR3-1600
• ECC
  No No
• Memory channels
  4 4

• AES-NI
  Yes Yes

Analyze the TDP (Thermal Design Power) requirements of Intel Core i7-3960X and Intel Core i7-3970X to make an informed decision on the appropriate cooling system. Remember that TDP refers to thermal watts, not electrical watts.

• TDP (PL1)
  130 W 150 W

Information on architecture, interfaces, and additional instructions supported by Intel Core i7-3960X and Intel Core i7-3970X, including virtual machine technologies and fabrication processes.

• Instruction set (ISA)
  x86-64 (64 bit) x86-64 (64 bit)
• Virtualization
  VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d (C2 Stepping) VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d (C2 Stepping)
• ISA extensions
  SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX
• L3-Cache
  15.00 MB 15.00 MB
• Architecture
  Sandy Bridge E Sandy Bridge E
• Technology
  32 nm 32 nm
• Socket
  LGA 2011 LGA 2011
• Release date
  Q4/2011 Q4/2012