Intel Core i7-3970X vs Intel Core i9-12900K. 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 i9
• Generation
  3 12
• CPU group
  Intel Core i 3000X Intel Core i 12000
• Predecessor
  -- Intel Core i9-11900K

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
  3.50 GHz 3.70 GHz
• CPU Cores
  6 16
• Turbo (1 Core)
  4.00 GHz 5.30 GHz
• CPU Threads
  12 24
• Hyperthreading
  Yes Yes
• Overclocking
  Yes Yes
• Core architecture
  normal hybrid (big.LITTLE)
• A core
  -- 8x Golden Cove
• B core
  -- 8x Gracemont

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 Intel Iris Xe Graphics 32 (Alder Lake S)
• GPU frequency
  0.40 GHz
• GPU (Turbo)
  No turbo 1.45 GHz
• Execution units
  32
• Shader
  256
• Max. GPU Memory
  -- 16 GB
• Max. displays
  4
• Generation
  12
• DirectX Version
  12
• Technology
  10 nm
• Release date
  Q4/2021

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

Overview of the types and quantities of RAM supported by Intel Core i9-12900K and Intel Core i7-3970X. The supported memory frequencies may vary depending on the motherboard configuration.

• Memory type
  DDR3-1600 DDR4-3200DDR5-4800
• Max. Memory
  256 GB
• ECC
  No No
• Memory channels
  4 2
• PCIe version
  5.0
• PCIe lanes
  20

• AES-NI
  Yes Yes

Analyze the TDP (Thermal Design Power) requirements of Intel Core i7-3970X and Intel Core i9-12900K to make an informed decision on the appropriate cooling system. Remember that TDP refers to thermal watts, not electrical watts.

• TDP (PL1)
  150 W 125 W
• TDP (PL2)
  -- 228 W / 56 s
• Tjunction max.
  -- 100 °C

Information on architecture, interfaces, and additional instructions supported by Intel Core i7-3970X and Intel Core i9-12900K, 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
• ISA extensions
  SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, AVX2+
• L2-Cache
  -- 3.75 MB
• L3-Cache
  15.00 MB 30.00 MB
• Architecture
  Sandy Bridge E Alder Lake S
• Technology
  32 nm 10 nm
• Socket
  LGA 2011 LGA 1700
• Release date
  Q4/2012 Q4/2021
• Part Number
  -- BX8071512900K